Community

Ar. Arvind Rangan

Owner | M/s. Arvind Varuna Associates

Architecture

Arvind graduated in the year 1989 from IIT Kharagpur. After stints in Kuwait and in Chennai, he decided to launch his own architectural practice in Chennai. The experience of working on large scale projects in Kuwait, gave him an international exposure. Working at a professional firm in Chennai, he honed his principles of design, drawing inspiration from the local context of climate, materials and traditions. He visits architectural institutions regularly for guest lectures, conducts thesis studios and can often be seen judging design competitions across the country.

Ar. Mausami Andhare

Design principal and co-founder | Indigo Architects Interior Design

Interior Design

Mausami Andhare is design principal and co-founder at indigo architects, a studio practice based in Ahmedabad since 1998. She holds a Master’s degree in architecture from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, the USA in 1996, graduating with honors, and was the gold medalist in the undergraduate architecture program at CEPT. Mausami guides the team at indigo architects in a range of educational, residential, and cultural projects while being instrumental in broadening the interior and furniture design range of work at indigo architects. About the practice: The work addresses several facets of a conscious eco-sensitive approach to architecture and design. A process-oriented practice, it elucidates the primacy of ‘place’ over ‘form’, exploring many overlapping layers of the formal and informal in an attempt to bring about a rich spatial experience in seemingly simple gestures. Strategies for thermal comfort in buildings, use of lime and local materials in contemporary design that draws from traditional wisdom have become cornerstones of work at indigo. That ‘architectural expression’ rooted in these sensibilities, can define a language that belongs to its time and place underpins all endeavors. Some of the noted recent projects include the Ajrakh studio and the Natarani Amphitheatre in Ahmedabad both of which have been cited by The Merit List and won the 30th JK Architect of the Year Award.

Ar. Nilabh Nagar

Senior Associate | Architect Hafeez Contractor

Architecture

Nilabh Nagar graduated from the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi in 1991 and has been working with Architect Hafeez Contractor ever since. Over the years he has been in charge of diverse projects like Individual Residences, Group Housing in Noida, Gurgaon, Chennai, Oce buildings in Mumbai, Shopping Malls in Mumbai, Delhi, and Noida. He has been in charge of Slum Redevelopment, totaling more than 25 million square feet. He headed the work of Mumbai (T1C) and Delhi (T1D) Domestic Airport Terminals. He has also been part of the feasibility and concept design teams for VT Railway Development and Mumbai Airport Master Plan. He completed Turbhe Railway Station Project in Navi Mumbai. He was the team leader in charge of 15 Metro Station Development in Pune. He holds keen interest in building technology and use of innovative materials for energy conservation in architecture with special focus on fenestration and lighting. He has travelled around the world to study buildings, urban spaces and material exhibitions/- conferences in Europe. Currently he is focused on understanding and promoting public spaces, pedestrian streets, movement and transit oriented developments. He has recently completed 3 Platinum Green rated buildings and interiors in BKC, Dehradun and Delhi with about a million sft. The other well-known project completed by him is the super luxurious Hotel Taj with 260 rooms, located in Santcruz. His ongoing projects include, a 1.5 million Sft big Group Housing, Retail mall Noida, a 4 million sft IT park-, mixed use in Kathmandu and Aordable PMAY Housing of 75000 units in Navi Mumbai. He has also worked on a 500 bed, Cancer and Eye Hospital, 200 key hotels, Ongoing Master Planning for a 150 acre SEZ in Mumbai, 1800 acres township in NCR and a 60 acre mixed use development in Nagpur.

Ar. Tony Joseph

Principal Architect | Stapati

Interior Design

Tony Joseph graduated from MIT Manipal and completed his masters in design from the University of Texas, Austin, in the Charles Moore program. Interactions and travels with Moore and his views on regional architecture had a strong influence in the direction of Tonys design. He returned to India and started Stapati in 1989, which has steadily grown into a multi-disciplinary practice emphasizing values of integrity, sustainability and innovation. Stapatis architecture emerges from a sensitive understanding of the context; one where the evolution of design is firmly rooted in the regions traditional narratives, while interpreting the elements in a modern context. There is an underlying acuity in the design approach, which responds to the site uniquely, rendering it relevant and timeless. Stapati, under Tonys able leadership has won numerous awards and recognitions over the years and has been selected as one of the Top 50 Most influential design firms in South Asia by Architectural Digest for eight years continuously, from 2014 to 2021. The Enchanted Island Resort designed by Stapati has been chosen as the Worlds Leading Private Island Resort 2020 & 2019 by the World Travel Awards. In 2015, ORO Editions from San Francisco brought out a monograph on the hospitality projects designed by Stapati. Entitled Timeless Resorts, the book examines the evolution of eleven captivating hospitality projects. ORO is one of the reputed international publisher of art and design books, and Timeless Resorts is one of the few monographs of an Indian architect published by ORO. Tony is the Founder Chairman of Avani Institute of Design, a Center of Excellence in Architecture and Design education located in Calicut, promoting a holistic approach to design education to develop well-rounded professionals equipped with the sensitivity, empathy, social and technical skill sets to address the ever evolving concerns of our environment. Tony was an invited artist in the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2016, and had designed the Biennale Pavilion. www.stapati.com