Sanjay Jhunjhunwala foray in real estate began with an inherited property under litigation that he managed to resolve and took his first step in to the property business. “My first project was Mani Mansion in Lower Rowden Street.” He added jovially, “Mani was the name of my father’s first wife and the brand name came from there, and has nothing to do with Money.”
Ar JP Agrawal recounted how way back in 1980s, his brother pushed him towards architecture though no one in their family was aware about the profession. “From young age I had been fascinated by building design and its construction. My first choices of career were medical and engineering, but as I could not get through them, I took up architecture. On knowing the initial salary of just Rs 400, I was disheartened and questioned if it was really the right choice.”
Ar. Gita Balakrishnan too had a similar experience when she moved to Bengaluru in 1990 after her internship in the USA. “I was paid Rs 750 while our driver was getting Rs 900. I was also not satisfied with the work I was doing at Chandavarkar and Thacker and later at a small architectural firm. I finally joined AVAS an NGO for slum dwellers to become a shelter co-ordinator. Once I moved to Kolkata in 2002, I set up Ethos, to make the architectural and engineering students aware of the career choices and happenings in India and globally.”
Sanjay Jhunjhunwala agreed that in 1980s and 1990s, the mind-set was, why to pay so much for just a few drawings. “In earlier days, architects charged fees as a percentage of the project cost or on square feet basis. The other model, had separate costing for design drawings, sanction drawings and structural drawings. Having said that, the quality of architectural services too was much inferior to what it is now.”
THE TRANSFORMATIONS
According to Ar JP Agrawal technology of construction, advanced building materials and economy & scale of projects today has transformed the building and construction industry.
Ar. Gita Balakrishnan shared that she is alarmed at the rapid pace of change in buildscape with people in rural areas trying to copy the city construction.”
Sanjay Jhunjhunwala articulated how Kolkata skylines are changing with vertical expansion, made possible with new technologies and materials and also the citizens favouring tall buildings.
DEFINE ARCHITECTURE
Ar. Gita Balakrishnan expressed, “For me architecture is expression of lives and lifestyles. It is a by-product of people and time. Buildings tell a story of a place of that time and context. A building should look like it belongs there in that time and space and to those people.”
Ar JP Agrawal said, “The aesthetics and functionality together creates architecture. Being close to nature is in our DNA. Architecture is all about balancing the natural elements of the surroundings - providing shelter from harsh climate, but also connecting with the nature around.”
Sanjay Jhunjhunwala stated, “Architecture for me is what is beyond the imagination of an owner. Practicalities might hinder the execution, but architecture has to begin with what has not been conceived before.”
LEARNINGS & ACHIEVEMENTS
JP Agrawal says always stand by what you believe in as a designer, cater to the clients that have the same beliefs and deliver a building that sustains over the years as beautifully as when it was built. “My achievement is the satisfaction I get from the good work done.”
Ar. Gita Balakrishnan advice to young designers is to be patient, success comes with time. Also go beyond the brief and design responsibly. When feeling despondent, talk to others in the community, exchange notes and ideas to overcome despair. “My student’s achievements make me feel very proud of myself.”
Sanjay Jhunjhunwala says you need to have the passion and the industry knowledge to be a successful developer. “My customer’s appreciation of the project they are living in is my accomplishment.''
CUSTOMER’S COMPLAINTS IS MY LEAST FAVOURITE PART OF THE WORK AND MOST LIKED IS MY CUSTOMER’S INVESTMENT IN MY PROJECTS APPRECIATING 3-4 TIMES. SANJAY JHUNJHUNWALA
DESIGNING IS WHAT I LIKE THE MOST AND DEALING WITH STATUTORY BODIES IS WHAT I LIKE THE LEAST. JP AGRAWAL
THE MOST I LIKE IS THE START OF MY WORKDAY AND WHAT I DISLIKE THE MOST IS THE END OF MY WORK DAY. I ENJOY WHAT I DO. AR. GITA BALAKRISHNAN
