The Grid Architects

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer The Grid Architects ("TGA") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

TGA : Snehal is a civil engineer and has also done his Masters in sustainable Architecture form SFIA and Bhadri (spouse – wife) is an Interior Designer from APIED Gujarat India.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

TGA : Snehal was born in a carpenter’s family and always saw small ideas developing into enormous results. When he sees end users happy and enjoying the design and understanding the meaning the feeling had a lasting impression and motivated him to choose this line of profession. Bhadri was always inclined towards art and craft and at a very young age chose this path. For both its not just a profession but its their passion.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

TGA : we chose to follow this path

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

TGA : to design contextually and more and more with local material and local craftsmen. Close to nature and timeless.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

TGA : Passion, love, consciousness and consistency and persistence.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

TGA : the ability to be consistent and to deliver the project with meaningful designs and a conscious approach.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

TGA : the purpose of the design which is able to achieve the epitome of its comfort for which it is meant to be along with a minimalistic approach.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

TGA : Actually, there is no real value concept to the design. It’s your investment and is priceless and timeless

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

TGA : I would like to design a minimal house and furniture for humans.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

TGA : A house on the cliff of the mountain

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

TGA : Minimum material palette, straight and simple forms. An honest approach to design. To simplify the complexity of the project requirement.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

TGA : there are many – Frank Lloyd Wright , Louis Kahn, Richard Neutra, Luis Barragan, and many Japanese architects.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

TGA : : 1. Falling water by Frank Lloyd Wright – because it’s a great amalgamation of nature and architecture 2.Church of Light by Tadao Ando- great sense of minimalism 3.Casa Gilardi by Luis Barragan – the courage to use colours in black and white era (digital) He is my hero architect as far as colour sense is concerned

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

TGA : yet to do and we hope this carving stays till I live.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

TGA : to work and design with the inner consciousness, and thoughts driven by the heart because it’s an honest pathway to the project and meaningful.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

TGA : we have never given it a thought as didn’t have an option because our conscience never gave a chance.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

TGA : design is about solving the purpose for which it is designed or sometimes it is aesthetically driven but always contextual.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

TGA : my wife who believes in me more than me and for Bhadri it’s the same.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TGA : A simple and honest approach.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

TGA : Trust of the clients and rejections.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

TGA : with the confidence that “You are the Best “and give it your best.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

TGA : villa, small organic resort, furniture and artwork showroom. The main forte of these projects will be close to nature in terms of sustainability, simple material palette and ample light, air and ventilation.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

TGA : simple aesthetic solutions with minimalism

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TGA : A good understanding of a sustainable and approachable design helps the people to be more sensitive to small details and creates awareness to the necessary and gives clarity. It makes them realize the importance of the earth’s resources and preserve.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

TGA : Animal shelter. It’s a warm place to stay for injured and rescued domestic animals, so a deeper understanding of their behavioral patterns and needs.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

TGA : The project when conceived with the simplest method in terms of minimal aspects.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

TGA : We would like to see more functional and meaningful, need based designs

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

TGA : It’s a very individual way and perception.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

TGA : It depends how long does it take us to be convinced of the concept.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

TGA : We make a list of requirements then programme it. According to the importance with the respect to the concept and design need we proceed.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TGA : To be happy from my innermost consciousness.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

TGA : Design sets the trends but maybe trends are temporary, but class is timeless.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

TGA : Technology plays a huge role as it gives great flexibility to explore with materials, proportions, aesthetics. This also helps the client to understand how his space is going to look and feel and therefore the decisions are quicker.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

TGA : We start with sketching then move to other software like CAD, photoshop, morpholio, SketchUp.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

TGA : Colour plays a vital role. It immediately changes the mood and influences the soul. Colour and texture add character to the surface. Texture with light can change the space amazingly and which makes the space lively energetic.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

TGA : The process.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

TGA : The first thought that comes is that how would they have started the design process.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

TGA : My life partner and my office partner . its part of a collaborative process - co design which happens simultaneously

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

TGA : The president of the “Heartfulness” the spiritual person Daaji – Kamlesh Patel

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

TGA : Designing Destiny by Daaji - Heartfulness

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

TGA : We start from the scratch, unlearn everything when we start a new design and only remember the flaws in the previous design

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

TGA : We would like to spend time without technology, living in farms or jungle. We would love to know how they are managing their sustainable lifestyles with local availability of techniques.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

TGA : We feel good when we receive awards as it gives us energy and inspiration to perform better and give our best always consistently. Becoming famous is tough but what matters is the path you have chosen to receive the good wishes.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

TGA : We are from India, so our favourite season is winter. we like all colours and is subject to the context and how it is used. we like Indian food , milk and bread, mango and nothing specific about brands.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

TGA : The funniest is when a client says that he / she knows everything about design and they just want a little guidance

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

TGA : When I am able to complete a design as per my expectations and satisfaction it makes my day great. I challenge my instinct to motivate myself , sometimes I play sports, listen to music and read and mediate regularly

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

TGA : I had a very normal playful childhood playing in the garden very carefree. yet the inclination towards design and art was always there.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

TGA : We will go back to roots. There will be limited and functional desires.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

TGA : I am just a normal person, who loves to play cricket, Bhadri loves to read and we respect other design and love to design