1. What is the inspiration behind your design firm’s name?
The works of famous architects such as Peter Eisenman, Zaha Hadid, Daniel Libeskind and many more stalwarts who carry the Neomodern Era of Architecture on their shoulders, inspired me to establish my own style, and hence, the name- Neomodern Architects.
2. What is that one design book/movie you found inspiring?
It is common knowledge for every architect or architecture student ever to come across the book Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. As much as I liked her style of writing in that book, more than anything else, the book that really caught my attention was the book Shrugged Atlas, by Ayn Rand, again. It impacted me on a lot of levels and still continues to inspire me.
3. In what ways does your personality reflect in your designs?
I am a firm believer that redundancy in architecture, especially when it comes to the beautification of a structure, isn’t required. Buildings are much like a human body- every part, every organ has a purpose to contribute to, and share. A good design is where the fusion of effective planning, optimum functionality and efficiency, and pleasing aesthetics and details takes place.
4. What inspires you in your day-to-day architectural practice?
I thoroughly enjoy architecture and design and believe that if you love what you do, it takes you a long way! I treat every project as an individual puzzle and challenge. There is no repository in terms of the design process I follow. It may begin with picking a theme or planning, or even from a nuanced detail. But as we get into it, step by step, we do come full circle.
5. Who is your favourite architect?
Architecture is a very innovative industry and a choice of one favourite is very difficult to keep a finger on! But to name some, I really like the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, then from the era of deconstructivism, I admire the works of Zaha Hadid, and in these modern times, I am an avid follower of Parametric and Digital Architecture.
6. Do you have a signature style?
I’m a firm believer that ‘change is the only constant’ when it comes to designing and planning. On similar lines, I always keep making conscious attempts to evolve my architectural language and strategies as times change. I have always thought of technology as a crucial stakeholder in designing. Hence, a change and evolution in my design tools and mediums help me change my output.
7. The one design philosophy you swear by?
The retrofit of two ideas- minimalistic architecture and inspiration from Louis Sullivan’s famous axiom: “Form follows Function”, has been a touchstone for me whenever I am beginning any new design. Artfully curating smart design elements in the design that contribute to not only the structure but to help it gain the balance of harmony.
8. The one design quote you find timeless?
Design and architecture are subjective, and there are so many levels and depths that we as an industry are yet to discover. But I think the quote that I find timeless and also believe in is that: ‘To create good architecture, you require a great client’. It is only through the unflagged support and motivation from a client that we can make the best use of our skills and creativity to render an output that will change the way one perceives spaces.
9. A hobby that sets you apart?
With the art of technology growing leaps and bounds every day, I have found myself enjoying Coding. That is a hobby that I truly cherish and also continue to apply my learnings and experiments to my work. For the motive of improving my architectural outputs and design, I integrate coding with all the softwares that I use on a daily basis. That is how my hobby also becomes a huge part of my profession.
10. A message to those few young practising Architects out there?
Always remember that architecture is a multi-faceted subject and profession. You will have to be in an ever-evolving mindset where you are always open to learning more and new things. Sticking to only one skill set will not do you any favours. Rather curating a set of skills and arts will give you an edge and impact your works more than anything.
11. Which design blog/page/handle do you follow avidly?
There is so much that our country is not exposed to when it comes to the future of architecture. I think of myself as a person who likes to look at the path ahead and be ever inspired by it. Mechanization and intelligence fascinates me on various layers. Hence the pages that I avidly follow are related to Artificial intelligence, like – Midjourney Architecture.