Making space for dreams

ISSUE: 141

Ravi Vazirani set up a design studio even though he wasn’t formally trained as a designer, a leap of faith that has brought him much success and satisfaction

What inspires you?

RV: There is no one formula. Sometimes I see a detail that stays stuck in my head, sometimes I am inspired by things I am surrounded by. However, my travels inspire me the most and I love my ‘me time’ with my design journals and magazines. I have noticed though, once I am inspired by something, it creeps into my psyche and it’s interesting how it shows up in the designs at a later stage. My usual go to line to my team is always, “Design and details are all around; it just depends on how much attention you’re willing to pay.”

What goes into creating the perfect vibe for a space?

RV: Choosing your clients wisely. Trusting your gut. In my opinion, designing spaces is 10% design and 90% people management. Perhaps that is just my perception, but given that I tend to be an introvert, it’s not the design I find difficult, it’s the interaction with people I find challenging. Hence, choosing a client that appreciates your effort, sees your vision and respects your process is the most crucial bit. A client who does not respect and engage with your design process will not allow you to create and do what you do and that in my opinion reflects in the vibe of the space, because you as the designer have not been given the freedom to express yourself and are catering to something you don’t believe in. So, choosing your clients wisely, learning when to say no, being respectful and engaging in clear communication is what is needed and of course, you have to be good at your job.

What, in your opinion, makes a design timeless?

RV: Design is complex in a way, because it’s hard not to engage with what is trending and yet it’s important to understand that trendy designs are more often just that, trendy. I think the ability to dissect the trends, take what works for you and mix it up with elements that are classic is what makes design timeless. I think of it as owning the style, because you’re not following, but you’re observing, adapting and creating. When it comes to spaces, we focus on creating shells that allow for transformation and adaption with a focus on materials that age well. That helps us create spaces which, according to me, are timeless. There’s also a strong focus on scale and proportion, because it creates a vibe that isn’t overwhelming or stimulating. Take the Mill Owners Association building in Ahmedabad designed by Le Corbusier – completed in 1954, it’s still very relevant today.

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