Sukhen Padmanabha, the visionary CEO of K. P. Padmanabha & Associates – KPPA, a trailblazing leader known for its innovative approach and commitment to excellence. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Mr. Sukhen has redefined the landscape of interior design, merging creativity with functionality to craft spaces.
Sukhen’s profound understanding of design principles, coupled with his dedication to client satisfaction, has set benchmarks in the world of architecture and interiors.
In this exclusive interview, ‘The Best Creators’ shared his insights of design philosophy, the challenges he faced and triumphs of leading a top-tier design firm, and his vision for the future of architecture and interior design.
Join ‘The Best Creators’ as we delve into the mind of a true industry luminary, exploring the passion and expertise that drive Sukhen Padmanabha and his team to create spaces that are as beautiful as they are functional.
Mr. Padmanabha shared his journey into the architectural field, attributing his entry to his father’s influence. He stated, I came into this profession because my father is also in this field and he helped me get started, though he never really asked me to join. It was my own voluntary decision, but having him as my father, guide, and mentor was truly a blessing.
He further elaborated on his professional journey, stating, ” I grew up entirely in Bangalore, where I completed my schooling at St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School. I then completed my undergraduate degree in architecture from BMS College of Architecture in Basavanagudi, graduating in 1991. Following this, I moved to the US to pursue a master’s in urban design, which I completed in 1993. I then gained three years of valuable work experience in the US.”
He continued, in 1996, I returned to India and joined my father’s firm, working with him until he retired. It has been nearly eleven years since he moved on, and I have continued the practice. Our firm, KPPA, stands for KP Padmanabha and Associates, named after my father. I still find great joy in this profession.
Mr. Sukhen shared his philosophy that I am working with the acronym SIP, which stands for Simplicity, Innovation, and Practicality, with an emphasis on excellence. He explained, We strive to apply all three principles. First, S stands for Simplicity as we aim to keep things as simple as possible while achieving excellence within that simplicity. Some of the best outcomes arise when you distill concepts to their fundamental elements, creating a ‘wow’ factor.
He continued, the ‘I’ in SIP stands for innovation. We continuously seek opportunities to innovate at every stage of a project, whether on a macro or micro level. We don’t wait for an ‘aha’ moment; instead, we focus on incremental innovations to improve our work continually.
Finally, Mr. Sukhen highlighted the importance of practicality as the ‘P’ in SIP signifies practicality. Our goal is to ensure that our projects are highly functional and practical. We prioritize practicality to avoid getting distracted by extraneous factors and maintain focus on delivering effective, functional solutions.
When asked by TBC about the initiatives he has implemented to enhance efficiency within his organization, Mr. Padmanabha shared his insights. I have evolved over time; it wasn’t an overnight change. According to me the first thing is to trust your team. My colleagues are now at the forefront, handling client meetings, consultant interactions, and site inspections. They are experts in their respective fields, and their detailed knowledge is invaluable.
He continued, Secondly, we strive for complete transparency at every step. This means providing realistic timelines to our clients and consultants, avoiding any false promises. We believe the best way forward is to be honest and transparent from the start to the project’s completion. We keep our clients informed about every aspect of the project, including vendor selection, and we even encourage them to bring in their own contractors and vendors. This openness has significantly contributed to our efficiency and success.
Mr. Sukhen has outlined the numerous challenges he encounters in his professional career. He emphasized that the most difficult aspect is educating people about architecture, especially in the niche space where he operates. He conveyed that understanding architecture is akin to running a marathon rather than a sprint; it requires sustained effort and daily dedication.
Client Relations and Problem-Solving: Sukhen shared that addressing clients’ issues, whether specific requirements, site problems, or consultant-related matters, is particularly challenging. He assures clients not to expect immediate knee-jerk reactions but rather well-thought-out solutions.
He recounted a notable incident where a client based in the US demanded a resolution to a site issue by the end of the day. Despite the pressure, Sukhen’s team made a conscious decision to educate everyone involved in the project life cycle. They asked for additional time to provide a better solution, demonstrating their commitment to thorough and effective problem-solving.
Marathon vs. Sprint: Sukhen elaborated on the marathon vs. sprint analogy, explaining that their approach is a marathon, which helps them overcome challenges effectively. He highlighted that while clients often come with urgent demands and expect immediate designs, his team follows a structured process to ensure a meaningful product. He emphasizes that giving the design process the necessary time results in a more thoughtful and impactful outcome.
Engaging with Contractors: Sukhen also listed the challenges of working with contractors, who often take the path of least resistance due to their own priorities and perspectives. His team strives to engage in discussions with contractors to help them see the larger picture, ensuring a collaborative and holistic approach to project management.
Mr. Sukhen’s experiences underscore the importance of education, patience, and collaboration in the field of architecture.
Mr. Padmanabha stated that the triangle is the most stable of all forms so whatever we do is based on these three things and making it the foundational concept for our designs. Clients seek three key aspects: functionality, pleasing aesthetics, and cost-effectiveness. These principles form the cornerstone of every project.
Furthermore, there are three types of triangles: equilateral, isosceles, and scalene. Similarly, some projects prioritize functionality, like manufacturing facilities, while others are driven by economic constraints. For the latter, we adhere strictly to budgetary limits set by board approvals.
Finally, certain projects allow for more flexibility in aesthetics. We understand that higher-quality materials or additional space might exceed the initial budget but can offer an unparalleled sense of satisfaction. These projects emphasize aesthetics, and our designs are tailored to meet our clients’ specific needs, always with the triangular principle in mind.
Sukhen shared his multifaceted approach to staying updated with new designs and trends, encompassing exhibitions, magazines, conferences, travel, and discussions with friends. He emphasized that there’s no particular order of preference, but travel—both within and outside India—holds a special place. India itself offers immense inspiration with its rich history and vibrant culture, he noted.
In addition to travel, Sukhen said I value reading magazines and attending exhibitions that showcase innovative products and design ideas. Conferences also play a crucial role, providing opportunities to hear from industry experts and explore fresh concepts.
He continued that my interactions with friends is equally important, who are contemporaries in the industry. Whenever I face a challenge or a client’s unique request, I turn to my friends for insights and advice. We exchange ideas and experiences, helping each other stay abreast of new developments, Sukhen explained.
Mr Padmanabha said it’s a bit difficult to say one defining moment because every completed project has been special, regardless of its size. Each project has contributed to my journey. However, if I had to choose one, designing the metro stations in Bangalore stands out due to its public visibility.
He further said, we initially designed six metro stations in Bangalore. This opportunity led to designing five more, and eventually, the metro projects in Ahmedabad and Bhopal. These projects were defining moments in terms of visibility and growth, as publicly visible projects bring a certain level of popularity and success.
Additionally, another defining moment was a fast-track project for the M. Chinnaswamy cricket stadium in Bangalore, designed by my father. Just before the previous World Cup, a new team took over, and with only about 60 days before the event, ICC officials approached the Karnataka State Cricket Association.
The president called us to a meeting, expressing the need for additional elements in the stadium, including a world-class media center with soundproofing and retrofit features, while maintaining a full view of the field and not reducing the number of seats. Despite the tight deadline, we successfully delivered the enclosure with laminated, toughened glass and air conditioning within 45 days.
This project boosted our confidence in executing fast-track projects and left the clients satisfied with the timely delivery. Our ongoing engagement with them, along with subsequent projects for prominent clients like the Tata Group, has been instrumental in our growth. Every project and client has been dear to us, providing numerous defining moments and valuable lessons.
To be continued>>>