SONALI BHAGWATI

Sonali explained her journey in brief when asked about her journey by The Best Creators, 40 Yrs. ago, when I finished high school, architecture was not considered a secure profession and CEPT was bohemian, unconventional and bordering on the hippie culture. My family was highly academic and full of over achievers and me going to CEPT was breaking all conventions. 

However, I come from an extremely emancipated Gujarati family. We are 3 sisters and My parents encouraged us to take a leap of faith and follow our dreams. They supported our life decisions in every way and hence I didn’t even require their permission to leave home at 17, live on my own and pursue architecture at CEPT. This set the course for my professional life. I took a bus from Baroda (where I had gone for the entrance exam for MS University) to Ahmedabad and went to CEPT. When I entered the campus, I was completely awed. It is then that I was not only determined to study architecture but to study only at CEPT. 

The three top philosophies which used in the field of architecture & interior design industry are…

• To foster a creative and forward-thinking work life’ as it’s essential to embrace a philosophy that encourages innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. At my core, I believe in cultivating a work environment that nurtures creativity and forward thinking. I encourage our team to think beyond conventional boundaries, to explore new ideas, and to challenge the status quo.
• Use of Natural elements in architecture and interior such as biophilia, natural light, air and natural materials  appeal to human senses and foster better mental and physical state, creativity, and productivity because by prioritizing the utilization of natural elements in our designs, I aim to create environments that not only lead to the senses but also promote better health, productivity and reconnecting us with nature to create spaces that enrich the human experience and contribute to a more sustainable world.
• Sustainability is the future focus and social responsibility for any industries and enterprises because sustainability is not just a buzzword for us – it is a fundamental part of who I am and what I stand for in the architectural industry. I’m committed to making a positive impact on the world around me, and I believe that sustainability is the key to a better future for all.

Sonali mentioned about her some of the implementations of her professional life which has impacted the efficiency of her organization or clients. She stated, since I do a wide range of project typology, my team heads under whom I have various teams, specialize in various project types. Their experience and knowledge help in creating a well-designed and well resolved project because various points of views help us in a rich knowledge base which leads to problem solving and minimizing mistakes.

Sonali added a few more pointers that the team heads have various teams under them who are dedicated to the project. We do a lot of cross referencing and refer to data of past projects for design and details and we believe in good documentation in order to avoid changes later because this helps in time and cost management as we emphasize the importance of using data from past projects for design to eliminate rework. 

There are some learnings which Sonali wants to pass on to others. She suggested that a designer needs to have a free mind and he/she should not have preconceived notions of either the west or tradition as the world has become more cohesive with transfer of information both ways. Hence the right approach would be to imbibe the best from every background. 

Instead of being confined to one particular style or tradition, the statement encourages designers to embrace diversity and draw inspiration from a wide range of backgrounds. By doing so, designers can create more innovative and inclusive designs that resonate with a broader audience.

The right synthesis is the key to good design. ‘Synthesis’ in design refers to the skill of combining various elements, such as form, function, aesthetics, and context, into a cohesive and harmonious whole.  E.g. the harshness of minimalist monochromatic architecture juxtaposed with vibrant textiles, colors and elements forms a balance.  Use of traditional stone craft creates a multitude of possibilities. 

Sonali Bhagwati briefed about her challenges, which she faced during project designing and execution. She said the unorganized sector in construction poses a major problem and there is no system or institute that controls the contracting industry. As a result, I come across contractors who simply have no idea how to deliver a good product. 

She highlights the issue of the unorganized system in the industry, pointing out that there is no established institute overseeing the contracting industry. This lack of regulation leads to problems, as some contractors lack the knowledge and expertise needed to deliver high-quality results.