Going for green

Tell us about setting up your practice in Ahmedabad.

HP: I started practicing in 1985 and set up Hiren Patel Architects (HPA) in 1989. We offer architecture, landscape design, interior design and green building services. For us, HPA stands for ‘happy-positive-accountable’. We have a philosophy of blending our work with nature and we strive for that with every project, whether it’s a living space or work space. It’s now built in our DNA. We look for a timeless quality in all our projects and nature plays a major role in this. Garden design and landscaping beyond mere decoration is something we aim for.

How has your cultural background impacted your design philosophy?

HP: I saw my father’s love for gardening. His devotion helped build my perspective and philosophy of design. Honesty and hard work are other aspects that came from my family culture. Other aspects like seeing beauty in the simplicity of life and to find happiness from the smallest of things are deeply rooted in our family culture.

How has the architecture industry in India evolved over the years?

HP: In the initial years of my career, the real estate industry was huge but lacked a focus on good design. It was just a platform for profits. No respect was given to architects who worked for builders. Today the scene has changed drastically! Architects who worked consistently and displayed iconic works brought in the respect the field needed. Now, real estate developers want the best designs for their projects and they obey the architects. It’s a big shift.