GAURANG SHETH     ARCHITECTS

Article written by Soneera Sanghavi

 

Gaurang Sheth is a man of few words. That probably explains why he prefers to let his work to do the talking. And talk it does. Over the last decade, Gaurang’s work has covered the spectrum – from doctor clinics, houses, restaurants to multi storey office spaces. His work also spans the globe – from USA to India.

 

The son of a doctor, architecture wasn’t an obvious choice growing up. But it is what Gaurang was most passionate about. “Planning, sketching and bringing visions into reality always excited me. Architects play a very important role in influencing the quality of lives through design and thus make a difference,” he explains.

After finishing his B. Architecture from Dr. DY Patil College in Mumbai, he went to Texas A&M for a Masters of Architecture. He was a Project ER ONE Fellow, and won several accolades for his presentations during his time there.

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After graduation, Gaurang worked for some of the top US firms such as HKS INC and Perkins + Will. This has given him a well-rounded background in all disciplines related to architecture. It is also what sets him apart from a lot of the home grown talent. “Transparency in work is really important to me,” Gaurang shares, “from knowledge sharing, documentation and detailing of drawings. I am also very particular about delivering projects in a timely manner.”

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From working on million dollar projects to smaller projects, it’s been quite a journey, and definitely a challenge. But that is what brings out the best in Gaurang. A great design or concept is easy. It’s only 10 per cent of the work he explains. “Today, you can look at so many magazines or apps and say, I want this. But to translate that vision into reality within my client’s budget is a challenge I enjoy.” This ethos reflects in his work. Recently, a friend wanted to redo an office but reuse as much as of the old furniture and fittings as possible. “I couldn’t believe it was the same office,” the friend exclaims. On another office project, with a generous budget, Gaurang has used the free hand to come up with unique niches, wall and ceiling installations and custom made furniture built on site. For one of his residential projects, he accompanied the family to Bali and handpicked all the fittings and furniture from there!

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Unsurprisingly, clients line up to give glowing reviews about his work. “Timely”, “great service”, “from sketch to reality – superb all the way thru”, are some of the common themes across the testimonials. And these are the reviews that keep him excited to do more.

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Gaurang’s most important tenet is that all problems are solved by good design. “From the minute a client enters a space to the time they leave it, the entire design experience should inspire them positively,” he says. What he doesn’t add is the amount of time he spends perfecting that experience. His eye for detail ensures that each corner, each facet of the room is carefully thought out. And his tenacity means he works patiently and tirelessly with carpenters electricians, and labourers to ensure that each plays their role diligently.

So does he have a signature style? “I have my personal style preferences, which is clean lines, simple design,” he says. “But I am not the client. My work should reflect the personality and values of my client. Creating a vision with my clients, perfecting or improving it with my design, and bringing that dream into reality is what I do best.”