Sharmila Lakshman

Associate Design, M Moser Associates 

Sharmila Lakshman, expert in the field of architecture and design. Her experiences in the industry have been condensed in this blog, in an attempt to impart wisdom and learning to the entire fraternity.

Sharmila began with an emphasis on the functionality of design. Her deep insights revealed a lot about the way a designer’s mind works. She introduced aesthetics as a fundamental, yet functionality as the core of architecture. With immense experience in creating corporate environments, recreational areas, institutional architecture and more, her 16 years were a pivotal aspect of her journey in architecture.

Ar Gurkiran Sanga

Principal Architect | Former Head Design-Space Matrix Design Consultants Pvt Ltd, Bangalore

In this industry, professionals have experienced the industry in a big way. At times, their experiences aren’t traveling to others in the industry that can solve many problems that many people face. Best Creators was born with the intention to bring in the best creators, architects, builders, turnkey contractors, designers, and suppliers to share their experiences, philosophies, and challenges that have helped them grow in the industry.

The following extract is from the Best Creators interview with Gurkiran Sanga, an experienced architect with a world of wisdom to share. Her powerful insights were very valuable to the discourse of the expectations in the industry and how strong values are the guiding force in any person’s life. We were thrilled to record her responses as she offered advice that is beneficial for the entire fraternity. Clearly, we saw the leader that has spearheaded numerous projects with her strong values and philosophies.

Pratima Chawla

Senior Projects Director at Innovatione India Projects LLP 

Pratima Chawla, a Former leading Interior Designer from Aeon, who has devoted more than 18 years of her designing and creative career to the pursuit of fine architecture. Her humble and kind spirit is a powerful force, a clear reflection of the many milestones that she has achieved as an Interior Designer and as a person.

As the Best Creators asked her about her experiences, she was enthusiastic about sharing clean-cut, precise, and insightful wisdom for the entire fraternity to benefit from. Having dedicated the last 6 and half years to Aeon, her firm, she also spoke about the many organizations that have helped shape her views about the industry. She attributes her successes to definitive mentorship and the fortune of having worked with great people in the industry. Her dynamic character is truly an inspiration for us, with her summing up the industry in simplified and easily understandable terms.

Poonamchand Suthar

Managing Director of Theme Designer Studio

Poonamchand Suthar is a managing director of architecture and interior firm “Theme Designer Studio” and has over 28 years of experience in the field of design and architecture, in a freewheeling interview with Best Creators, he shared highlights of his professional journey and his mantra for success. He also offered practical insights, incisive ideas and actionable pointers that serve as a toolkit while designing solutions for clients’ requirements.

He worked with them for 25 years and 15 years back he ventured into his dream which was a design Studio – called “Theme Design Studio”. Initially, it was a very small boutique Studio which offers only interior design services. Today he has a team of 25 people and a full setup and now he is the full-time director of his dream project “theme design studio”.

Sathya Madhavan

Associate Architect at DWP Interics

The following extract is from the Best Creators interview with Sathya Madhavan, an associate architect in architecture. As we explore the experiences and learnings of the industry, we take to the pioneering forces in the world of architecture and design. The expert reveals powerful ideas that fuel the progression of modern architecture to the forefront of innovative technologies and best practices.

Sathya is a leader in interior design, especially workplace interior design, and has over 16 years of experience, working in the industry as a designer.

Neeraj Kalra

Senior Associate – Arcop 

A series of questions were posed to architect Neeraj Kalra in order to learn more about the people behind this wonderful industry. Her success story is truly fascinating and will undoubtedly inspire those working in the industry.

Neeraj has been in the industry for over 25 years. She graduated from GNDU Amritsar and spent her first few years working in Chandigarh, where she worked for a big firm with large projects. She later relocated to Gurgaon and began working with the ARCOP. She has spent 15 years with ARCOP and has had an amazing experience. She has worked on a variety of projects and has never been bored. She has worked with a wide range of people and projects, including hospitality, institutions, schools, colleges, retails, malls, and theaters & housings.

Divya Ethirajan

Principal & Founding Partner-BetweenSpaces

Despite the fact that India, a rapidly developing country, is one of the key places in the world where architecture could have the greatest impact, there has been little critical reflection on the country’s architectural landscape, and architecture has struggled to assert its value to the wider population.

In a freewheeling interview with best creators, Divya, an expert in the field of architecture, shared her entire journey, challenges, and tips to vendors and turn key contractors. Divya’s success story is truly fascinating and will undoubtedly inspire many aspiring architects.

She was born and brought up in Bangalore and achieved her architecture degree from RV College of Architecture. She interned with Arya Architect in Ahmedabad. She worked in hundredhands from 2007. There were some events in 2009 and it was a difficult time for the construction industry. She wanted to start her own business and see where it would take her.

RACHEL SERRAO

Head of Design, Space Matrix

Rachel Serrao emphasizes the importance of user-centric design, advocating for architects to prioritize the needs of the user group over their own personal preferences. She champions the use of proportionate design principles and a simplified approach to design, prioritizing attention to detail.

As a child, Rachel Serrao di’t consider architecture a popular career choice unlike today. It wasn’t until she met a family friend who designed beautiful homes in Kerala that she became enamored with the profession. Rachel attended one of the most prestigious universities in the field of architecture and design, CEPT University, where her journey began.

CHAITRA SHIVASWAMY

Principal Architect, Studio Bhoomi.

Chaitra Shivaswamy, a Principal Architect at Studio Bhoomi, graduated from Dayananda Sagar College of Architecture, Bangalore in 2002. She joined Jaisim Fountainhead for her Internship. After completing the internship, Chaitra continued at the same firm as a junior architect.

Eventually, she moved up to being a senior architect and later on became an associate with Prof.Ar.Jaisim.
She runs her small practice under the firm name, Studio Bhoomi, where she works on residential and interior projects. Apart from this, she works on hospitality and institutional projects. They have an environmentally friendly and eco-sensitive approach towards their projects.

Prachi Karthik Naig

Design leader and Architect, Education Design International

In the evolving world of design, Prachi Karthik Naig stands out with her unique approach to creating user-centred spaces that blend beauty with functionality. As an influential architect and design leader, she has transformed spaces into immersive, functional experiences that meet both aesthetic and practical needs. Her philosophy goes beyond traditional design, fusing innovative ideas with a nuanced understanding of human interaction and behaviour. Her leadership is reshaping how design can inspire, with a focus on measurable, impactful solutions.

A Journey of Growth and Learning: Path to Professional Excellence

A passion for art and creativity from an early age guided her to architecture, with encouragement from her family to channel this talent professionally. Graduating from the University of Nagpur in 2007, she embarked on a diverse path that included residential, corporate, retail, airport & institutional design. Her curiosity and eagerness to learn helped her understand different aspects of design, from technical construction details to practical project delivery.