Skip to main content

That Passionate Builder.


Every builder builds somewhat for unknown purposes, and is in a measure a prophet-Mary Eleanor Wilkins freeman

In our career as architects, we come across many type of builders- the experienced builders, the businessmen-turned-builder builders, the first timers, the phoney ones, the agitated builders, the impulsive builders, the  friendly builders, the  arrogant builders, the teacher builders, the rahul gandhi-type builders, the very young builders, the dishonest builders, the looks-like-shopkeeper-but-rich AF-type builders, the bringing-kids-to-office-type builders, the always-farting-and-burping-type builders and then there is the passionate one. In my two and a half year of experience, I have worked with some 15 or so. Some for long term and some for a very brief time (yes, the ones who run away once they get what they want). Some for a single project and some for a few more.


But then, they can be broadly classified into two categories. The first category is the most common one. Builders who want to put a building onto a plot and they get us a survey of that. They just want to know how many units can we fit in and how money are they making. If you ask them, whether they want 2BHK units or 3BHK units, they just don't seem like they care. They want us to call them only once we are done. 

There's another category of builders. The passionate ones. They want to constantly know what they are selling, who are their buyers and what exactly do they want. What amenities do their buyers would love and which amenities would stand out. Right from the beginning they get involved into the project.

 Both kind of builders can be successful. But the later ones are more fun to work with. They constantly keep fine tuning the designs and we are more than happy to do it. These kind of builders are ready to take suggestions from everyone and they respect the fact that even a common man, not from the design field can give a suggestion that is worth considering. You are very lucky if you get a chance to work with a builder like this. It's very obvious if it is his own house, he would be more than interested in getting the best quality products. But how many of them do that, for a layout or a house that they are going to sell? I feel lucky and fortunate to have met such builders and work for them at DKA. Here is glance through his vision brought into existence by DKA.(Still under construction)





As captured during a site visit made on March,2017.

Comments

  1. 'What's my page about'?

    You will find many experiences about successful architects,planners,designers etc. People who you look up to...I have just started my journey..young, enthusiastic with big dreams in my eyes.This blog is about my journey,which I intend to continue forever.The question is- will I make it Big?Or will I settle for something very ordinary?
    I don't intend to become a writer nor am I very good at it,although somehow I hope this will keep me inspired and not forget the very essence of it.
    The title comes from the lack of right environment and exposure we grow in.In a 9 to 6 job everyday working our as*es hard, we are becoming architects. But are we really?

    It is also an attempt to reach the younger architecture students,in a hope they don't make the mistakes I made...It is my story ..my journey and thoughts of course... HOpe you enjoy reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This blog keeps inspiring and teaching me a lot everytime you add to it. The last one was hilarious. I loved it ❤

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Luxury Washroom Design Challenge Entry

Few months back my boss forwarded an email to me which was a usual competition email with instructions to guide the interns to execute it. I never had an idea that I'll be more than delighted to see that it was rather an individual competition and only an architect with the license to practice can participate in it. I never thought that I would actually participate and submit it and it won't be just another 'to do' on my list until the last day of submission. This was a breath of fresh air, where I had no boundaries- no client to tell what exactly to do, no developer to impose all the monetary limitations and no government by-laws to follow. This was not something where I was supposed to give shape to the ideas of my boss, but rather put all the wisdom and knowledge gained under him and this firm and design something entirely on my own. It was also different from the college competitions, where I can't just paint unicorns in the sky, but look for a tool to crea...

Is architecture really a social responsibility?

 'as architects our goodness is more important than our greatness and our compassion more eventful than our passion.'  Like most people, I am guilty to attend seminars and conferences and accept invitations lured by the hotel where it is organised and the cocktails and dinner that follows. More often than not the conferences are only ways to meet new vendors, materials and are rather boring to be honest. But sometimes… just sometimes... it gives you back much more than what you expect. It forces you to ponder the untouched philosophies of life that have always existed around you without it being realized.Think about something that is so simple, so basic but neglected. I happened to be in one such conferences last night where it somewhere intensely touched my soul. I only hope that the chords it hit so deep within me should rather not fade away any sooner and that is why I thought of writing about it. After all this was my purpose when I started writing blogs. Though I am...

Boss Homes-Part-1

A house is made of walls and beams. A house is made of love and dreams. If I ask, what would you rather design- a private residence or an apartment for a developer, what would be your answer? Do leave a comment at the end of this post.  I remember my conversation with Mr. Gupta one afternoon, for whom we are designing a commercial cum residential building at one of the most prestigious spots in the city. I have sat with him for hours, session after session, discussing each of the floors, commercial and residential, decoding his requirements. The most detailed discussion which lasted for a couple of hours was his floor, which he decided to convert into his own home. In the middle of the conversation he said to me, ’I know I am elaborating each and every aspect of this plan, only because it’s going to be my home and I have given a lot of thought to it, so please bear with me’. I instantly realised that I have not enjoyed discussing any of the other floors as much as this fl...