- What is the inspiration behind your design firm’s name?
Sameer: The phenomenon of Osmosis in the design world (Absorb, Listen, filter and fuse, Create)
Shilpa: It was always about the people along the way, not just two of us. So Osmosis
- What is that one design book/movie you found inspiring?
Shilpa: Tadao Ando complete works- every time you may wonder why one joined architecture.
Sameer: Matrix , it’s the future in the past.
- In what ways does your personality reflect in your designs?
Shilpa: It’s all about the people, their personalities, and stories, and I am a people person: story listening and story telling becomes the whole and soul of the project for me.
Sameer: Focus, detailed and street smart with my own cheeky sense of humour, I would make sure the client gets the best for his buck the smartest yet most aesthetic way with zero compromises and at the end of it, the process is what should be enjoyable.
- What inspires you in your day-to-day architectural practice?
Shilpa: Travel and meeting people from all walks of life and listening and understanding their life paths. Both of us have travelled extensively in the last decade and thanks to our common interests of travel, design and Architecture, we have seen the works of some of the best Architects and Structures/buildings/monuments in the world.
Sameer: Being inside and walking through each of these have been a huge inspiration and I have always imagined what the designer must have conceived while creating that huge impact on the human experience.
- Who is your favourite architect?
Shilpa: Tadao Ando.
Sameer: Right from Santiago Calatrava’s Milwaukee Art Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Waters, Mies’ Farnsworth House experience to works by Renzo Piano , Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid, Herzog and De Meuron, or Louis Khans Salk Institute and IIM Ahmedabad- all have been a huge stimulation whilst being there. I do not necessarily idolize anyone as I believe once can get inspired from anything and everything but getting an opportunity to experience such architecture makes it fulfilling.
- Do you have a signature style?
Shilpa: Design for wellbeing, people, social change that’s meaningful and invigorates all the seven senses and surpasses all ‘’isms’’ and ‘trends’.Sameer: Story listening and story telling is our only common signature within all different stories of design. The one design philosophy you swear by?
Sameer and Shilpa: It is a Studio where young minds work together; ideas are born, nurtured and streamlined to offer the most unique and feasible solution, story, and lifestyle that’s timeless. It is a firm where professionals enjoy what they do; building relationships.
- The one design quote you find timeless?
Sameer: I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep.
Shilpa: We all take different paths in life, wherever we go we take a bit of each other.
- A hobby that sets you apart?
Sameer: Bike riding into the unknown.
Shilpa: Plan or unplan , Travel, Unravel the Unknown and RepeatNot a hobby , could be alternate career who knows as I am usually the most resourceful person in the room. 😊
- A message to those few young practising Architects out there?
Sameer: In the early stages of your career, you won’t know much empirically, but if you strive for knowledge and further education, confidence will follow. Trust in yourself that you can face any challenge that comes your way – not only because you’re strong enough but often you don’t have any other choice.
Shilpa: Be curious, ask questions, and don’t worry about being judged. Find a mentor, be firm yet don’t forget the humour and fun. Aim high and ask for what you want. Even if it seems unrealistic, give it a shot anyway. Stay inspired by beauty – music, art, nature, travel and little pleasures with family and stay away from negativity.
- Which design blog/page/handle do you follow avidly?
Shilpa: Anything that takes me far away and definitely not pinterest 😊
Sameer: Anything to do with cool bikes and adventure riders.