Chandrashekhar Kanetkar, Principal & Chief designer, Chandrashekhar Kanetkar Associates Pvt Ltd

As the Principal, Chandrashekhar Kanetkar believes that the emotional makeup of the client and his relationship with his built form is of utmost importance and that is what sustains the team as it plans for each project. Integrating the focal and ancillary spaces with maximum importance given to natural light and ventilation, charging the space with positive energy is the forte of CAPL.

Local context, justice to site and the client program are the pillars on which the design stands. The spaces are created in a sequential manner such that there is a subtle visual drama for the occupant making him a part of the design. A sense of belonging to the occupant thus becomes the essence and strength of the design that reflects the inner soul of the space. Contemporaneous design is another deep-seated muse of the firm. The design approach is such that the built form and its essence while reflecting the times of its creation become timeless as it does not follow any ‘trend’. An innate communion of designing in totality with the use of material, technology and above all, a clear dialogue with the vocabulary of architecture of the place underlines all the projects – architectural as well as interiors.

Recent Prime Projects:

• Grand Hyatt, Goa
• 60 story Residential Complex in Mumbai
• High end 30 story Residential Complex at Navi Mumbai.
• High end Club House and Bungalows at Vapi.

Dean D’Cruz, Creative Head – Mozaic

Dean D’Cruz – a graduate in architecture is actively involved both in his profession as well as in academics as a Visiting Faculty in the Goa College of Architecture since 1987. He has conducted numerous workshops and seminars on architecture, planning and the environment in over 20 cities across India as well as in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and Canada. His works and articles have been published in leading magazines in India and abroad. Supported the Royal Art and Architecture Academy, Stockholm, Oxford Brookes University,UK and Pratt University New York for their architectural and planning programs in Goa.

He is a Partner and Principal Architect in Mozaic Design Combine, a leading design firm based in Goa, involved in urban intervention, architecture, conservation, product and graphic design.

Mozaic strives to provide holistic solutions to its patrons. Our engagement often transcends the boundaries of project briefs and enter the realms of new experiences. We explore prospects of symbiotic growth of our clients with nature and encourage sustainable practices in architecture as well as industrial products.

Gayatri Shetty, Owner, Gayathri & Namith Architects, Bengaluru

Mrs. Gayathri Shetty, who graduated from BMS College of engineering and Mr. Namith Varma, who graduated from Manipal institute of technology started GNA back in 1993. In addition Mrs. Gayathri Shetty also renders support to the Institute of Indian Interior Designers, Bangalore Regional Chapter as a Chairperson. Being a past State Hockey player she now dons the role of the Treasurer for Hockey Karnataka and Vice President of Hockey India.

Motivated designers who settle for nothing less than the nature to inspire them are able to achieve spaces with a perfect concord between indoors and outdoors. Drenched in natural light, these spaces are envisaged only after long interactive session with the clients and with a design team encompassing artists product designers sculptors lighting and graphic designers, GNA strives for excellence and collaborate to turn ordinary into extraordinary, project after project.

Kamal Malik, Malik Architecture, Mumbai

Founder and principal architect of Malik Architecture, Kamal Malik was born and raised in Shimla in the pristine environs of the Himalayas; even today, nature remains the source of his inspiration. He completed his architectural studies at the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in New Delhi.

With over 35 years of experience, the firm continues to strive to develop a contemporary design syntax approaching Architecture as a synthesis of ‘Ecology’ and ‘Spirit’.

Ecology speaks of a seamless, cohesive and integrated approach to design. Spirit implies balance, understanding and tranquility.

Malik Architecture has garnered acclaim at multiple design competitions and is the recipient of over 100 national and international awards. The firm’s work has also been featured in over 300 publications, both domestic and overseas.

Mr. Malik travels extensively in his role as a visiting professor and a guest lecturer on diverse subjects including sustainable architecture, the unparalleled heritage of the Indian subcontinent and the need to look within for creativity instead of mindlessly mimicking the west or trivializing our past.

Kiran Venkatesh, Founder, InFORM Architects

Kiran Venkatesh is the founder of InFORM Architects, Bengaluru along-with Nithya Srinivasan. Since its founding in 1997, the firm has worked on over 350 projects of varying building types spread across the country. His key focus is to generate and mentor conceptually strong designs that are innovative and to build unique and performative buildings with Architectural vision that responds to context, constraints and client needs. The studio’s work has been the recipient of 56 architecture design awards and is widely recognized in the profession and extensively featured in multiple publications.

Kiran is optimistic on the role of technology in shaping design thinking – development – evolution and execution. He is involved in several initiatives related to advancement of use of BIM software platforms, research on mechanization in construction, group housing etc. He believes that we are in a state of crisis in the Design – Construction Industry and it is imperative that we begin to effectively address issues like the reducing design and built quality of our environment, the growing disparity between demand and supply in the design-construction sector, and the lack of an approach to integrate the multiple specialties that an architect deals with today.

Kiran and Nithya founded InCITE in 2008 – a one of its kind Architecture Event Space in the country that is a platform for exchange of Architectural ideas and dialogue. Since January 2012, its activities are anchored in the 3000 sq.ft. InCITE Gallery, which has hosted several national and international speakers as well as exhibition/s of their works.

Kiran has a wide range of interests: Architecture & the City – Education – Movies – Reading – Science Fiction – Travel – Running – Cycling etc.

Nitin Gupta – Director, ARCOP, Delhi

Nitin Gupta graduated from School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi in 1992. In his journey of last 22 years in the profession he has played various roles in the planning, design and construction of multiple projects of interior design, building design and campuses and townships design and planning.

Nitin Gupta has been involved as co-designer and coordinator in award winning Laburnum Condominium Housing, the trendsetter for high rise housing in Gurgaon. Nitin Gupta led the team for implementation of Jaypee Palace Hotel, Agra, a landmark hotel project, inspired in its design by Monuments of Fatehpur Sikri. Working assiduously with the clients, Nitin Gupta, transformed the Hotel Vasant in Delhi through a major renovation effort into a buzzing modern hotel design.

Nitin Gupta has designed various real estate projects in Noida and north Indian region, innovating with each new project to add design value in a unique way in each project.

Nitin Gupta has been involved in setting up Arcop’s operations in Muscat, Oman for the past 5 years and is involved in prestigious projects for the Royal Court and hospitals and high end housing condominiums.

Rahul Kadri, Principal Architect & Partner at I.M.Kadri Architects

Rahul Kadri is Principal Architect & Partner at I.M.Kadri Architects. He completed his diploma in architecture from the Academy Of Architecture, Mumbai and went on to specialize in Housing with a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1988).

He assumed directorship of Kadri Consultants Pvt. Ltd in 1995 and since then has designed & executed several architecture & town planning projects under his leadership. Over the years he has honed his skill & passion to create places where people and nature thrive.

Apart from his engagement with architecture Mr. Rahul Kadri has been actively involved in proposals for the effective development of open spaces in Mumbai.

Ranjana Mital, Professor, School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi

Ranjana Mital is a professor at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. She has been teaching for over 25 years. Apart from architectural design, her subjects include history of architecture and initiating and guiding student research programmes. Her PhD addressed QOL on the residential streets in New Delhi and has been the basis for further research and writing. She also researches on the Hindu temple in history and is deeply interested in temple design today. She was awarded a Government of India, Senior Research Fellowship in 2005. She has been on the board of studies and design juries of various colleges and universities as well as served on the juries of architectural and interior design competitions at a professional level. She has several papers published in national and international journals to her credit.

Sandeep Khosla, Founder & Principal, Khosla Associates

Sandeep Khosla is the Founder and Principal of Khosla Associates, a leading Architecture and Interior Design firm in Bangalore, India. Sandeep studied architecture at Pratt Institute, New York, then returned to India to establish Khosla Associates in 1995.

The firm headed by Sandeep Khosla and partner Amaresh Anand create a versatile body of work that have won them 25 national and international awards in the past 20 years; including the Inside Outside Designer of the Year Award, 2010. Most recently they were The ‘Education’ Category winner at the INSIDE World Festival of Interiors 2013 in Singapore.

Khosla Associate’s clients range from individual home owners to companies such as Biocon, the Park hotels, Nike, MTV and Hard Rock Café to educational institutions like Delhi Public School and the Doon School.

Sandeep Khosla was picked by India Today magazine as one of the fifty men and women under the age of 35 poised to be leaders of tomorrow, by Home Review magazine as one of India’s eight leading designers and by CW Magazine as one of the countries’ top 10 architects. Wallpaper magazine (UK) listed Khosla Associates in 2011 as one of India’s 10 most innovative architectural practices. Architectural Digest named Khosla Associates as one of the 50 most influential names in Indian Architecture and Design for 3 years in a row (2014, 2015, 2016).

Sandeep Khosla has been a speaker at several international design conferences such as Kyoorius Design Yatra, Goa, 2011; 361 Degrees “Architecture of Purpose” , Mumbai, 2013; India Design ID, New Delhi, 2013; Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, 2004.

Sandeep was a Judge at the INSIDE World Festival Of Interiors in Singapore 2014. He has also been a visiting critic at the RV College of Architecture, Bangalore.

The work of Khosla Associates is featured regularly in important Architectural and Interior publications from around the world.

Sonali Bhagwati, Co founder, Spazzio Design

Sonali Bhagwati is the Co-founder of Spazzio Design, an internationally recognized Design firm. She is the President of DPA after the merger of Spazzio with DPA. Sonali graduated from CEPT, Ahmadabad in 1986 and received a scholarship from L’Institute Francaise D’Architecture to work in Paris.

She has received numerous awards like 11th IID MK Awards in 2006, Architect of the Year Award in 2008 by Zee Business, Architect of the Year Award in 2012 by India Home Awards, Design Excellence Award in 2015, Leadership Award in 2015 by CE Worldwide, WADe India Awards 2016.

She has been published as one of the 20 best Architects of India in the book ‘Reflections’, one of the prominent Women Architects by ‘Hecar Foundation’ and 20 powerful women by ‘Smile Studios’ and was featured in the publication of 75th celebration of Elle Décor. She has been featured as Hot 100 Contemporary Indian Architect in Architect & Interiors India magazine, Women Architects & Designers (WADe India). Beside this, her work has been published regularly in several books & magazines.

She regularly speaks at various public forums on city level issues. She is currently one of 3 members of Delhi Urban Arts Commission, one of the most prestigious organizations in the Country. On behalf of DUAC she has chaired the Committee for review and restructuring of building bye-laws for Delhi.

She is involved in the SUO MOTU city projects taken up by DUAC and is propelling the Shahjenabad rejuvenation project. She has been a Member of Delhi Conservation Society and conducted heritage walks in Kashmere Gate area.

Sujatha Shankar, Vice Chairman, Indian Institute of Architects, Chennai Centre

Sujatha Shankar is an architect with a B.Arch from the School of Architecture & Planning, University of Madras and an M.Arch from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. USA, with a practice in Architecture, Planning & Interior Design encompassing varying typologies spanning over three decades. She has been a member of the external faculty & advisory committee for Architecture in some of the city’s schools of Architecture and Member of the Board of Studies, Anna University. Passionate about Heritage, she was a member of the Heritage Conservation Committee constituted by the CMDA and is Convenor of INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), Chennai Chapter.

She is currently for the second term Vice Chairman, Indian Institute of Architects, Chennai Centre. She also won the IIID-MK National Award for Excellence in Commercial Interiors. Correspondent for a leading Architectural journal A+D (Architecure + Design) for over a decade, contributed articles in the ‘Hindu’, ‘Folio’, programs on Architecture on radio & television. She has directed two documentary films “Vision of Day” on the Architectural evolution of the city & recently “The Story of Madras – The First City of Modern India” with narration by Mr. S. Muthiah.

Suresh Kuppuswamy, Dean (retd.), School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University Chennai

Suresh Kuppuswamy obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the School of Architecture and Planning University of Madras in 1974. He was the University Gold medalist. He continued his studies in the same Institution and obtained his PG degree in Town and Country Planning in 1976. He was the First Rank holder.

After 3 years of experience in Pondicherry under an internationally reputed architect Mr. Roger Anger, he established an architectural and planning consultancy firm called ‘Dhala Kuppuswamy Rebello’ along with two other partners in 1977. The firm has designed many landmark buildings in Chennai and most of them were won through architectural design competitions. MMDA towers, CMWSSB Head quarters building, El NET Software Technology Park, TNHB Commercial Complex, MLA housing project at Govt. Estate, Alsa Mall shopping complex, Prince Plaza shopping complex, Journalists’ Colony at Thiruvanmiyur, MRL corporate office on Anna Salai are some of the notable projects designed by the firm. His passion for teaching and research made him join School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University as a full time Professor in 2001. He was the Director of the school during 2001-02. He served as the Head of the Department of Architecture from 2008-12. He obtained his Ph.D. from Anna University in 2010 . As an Estate officer of Anna University, he designed and executed several academic and hostel blocks. He retired as Dean of School of Architecture and Planning in 2012. He was awarded the ‘Honourable Teacher Award’ in 2008 by the Indian Institute of Architects. He is presently serving as a Senior Professor, Design Chair in the department of Architecture, Sathyabama University.

He has been a Jury member in several architectural design competitions conducted at State level and Regional level.
In 2006, he was appointed as a member of the Monitoring Committee constituted by the Hon’ble High Court of Madras for deciding on Buildings to be regularised under Regularisation scheme of Govt. of Tamil Nadu. He is a sitting member of an expert committee appointed by the Department of Science, Govt. of India to review and decide on the projects submitted under ‘Technology Intervention for the Disabled and Elderly’. He is actively involved in the Indian Institute of Architects, Tamil Nadu Chapter, a professional body for architects. He was the Chairman of the Chapter during 1994-96. The Chapter won many laurels during that period. As a convener, he conducted the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Southern Chapter of IIA successfully in 2014.

Prof. Suresh Kuppuswamy is registered with Council of Architecture , India. ( CA/77/4228).He has been a member of Inspection team appointed by Council of Architecture to verify the standards followed in various Schools of Architecture in India.

Ms Tanuja BK, Partner, Kanvinde Rai & Chowdhury

An architect by qualification, Tanuja has had the privilege of being mentored by some of the Modern Masters of the country such as Padalkar, Stein, Morad Chowdhury & Kanvinde during her initial professional journey. With abou 35 years of work experience and as a partner at Kanvinde Rai & Chowdhury, with Sanjay Kanvinde, she has been involved in the design & execution of a number of Institutions and third generation Dairy Complexes with the underlying concern towards creating a sustainable built environment.

M/s Kanvinde Rai & Chowdhury is a studio practice. The firm has successfully participated & has been awarded the projects in a number of Architectural Competitions and their work has been published in various architectural journals. The firm is the recipient of A+D Spectrum Award for Meaningful Architecture in 2012.

A fellow of Indian Institute of Architects, Tanuja has been actively involved in academics as a visiting Professor at School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi and has been on several National Juries for Architectural/Interior Design competitions for Professionals and Students She has been an invited speaker at many Seminars/Conferences.

As Chairperson of Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID), Delhi Regional Chapter from 2012-15 and a member of National Executive Council of 2015-17, she has played a key role in promoting the profession by organizing several seminars/lectures. She is also the Chairperson of the Awards Committee, Continuing Education Programme and on the Editorial board of IIID for this period.