We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ketan Jawdekar ("KJ").
Born artist and architect by profession, Ketan is a founder and creative director of Studio K-7 having over 27 years of experience in the field of architecture and interior design. His tangential thinking and the abstract approach towards design have won many accolades and have delivered some of the world- class projects. His strong belief is that “Architecture created is comparable to an emergent poetry arising from the fine application of patterns, generative principals and refraction”. Ketan’s qualifications, experience and expertise in his field assist him in the enhancement of aesthetics and structural combinations. Utilization of a vailable resources is the key, which ensures work and client satisfaction, a perfectly blended composition. Qualification Bachelor Degree in Architecture (with Distinction) Second In Shivaji University, Maharashtra, INDIA Registered Professional Architect, INDIA Apart from Architecture, his interest varies from Painting, theatre, Acting, Direction, Photography and Mountaineering and have bagged many national awards for the same.
Ketan Jawdekar Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ketan Jawdekar.
Ketan Jawdekar Design - Sky Lounge Restaurant and Bar
Ketan Jawdekar Design - Sky Bar Roof Top Restaurant
Designer Interview of Ketan Jawdekar:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
KJ : Art is a gift that has been given to me by my father, who is an artist and by mother, who is a classical singer. I, have been painting since childhood and have bagged many accolades at the State and National level competitions in my early academic career. Instead of fine arts, I opted for the 'Mother of all Arts' -Architecture, as a career. Today, as a successful and well- known Architect in India, our company has created noteworthy structures in Architecture and has designed some world-class interiors. While my profession has gone digital, I still believe in hand sketches. Yet, I find time to go back to nature with his sketchbook and often paint in my studio.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KJ : Established in 1995, a proprietary company now converted into Pvt. Ltd. is a design cell of young and dynamic entrepreneurs implementing innovative ideas for the finest creation. Founded by Ar. Ketan Jawdekar, the Company Team ensures that the output is always different thus making sure of client satisfaction The teams qualifications, experience and expertise in their respective fields assists them in enhancement of aesthetics and structural combinations. Utilization of available resources is the key factor, which ensures work and client satisfaction - a perfectly blended composition. Our strong belief is that the finesse of an architecture created is comparable to an emergent poetry arising from the fine application of patterns, generative principals and refraction. The master key of the designer’s den is effectively used as the team works on the guided principal of providing a complete design solution, may we call it ‘PIN TO PIANO’. Our ultimate goal is to work in tandem keeping in mind the client’s budgets, individual tastes and creation of rewarding structures with world class designs adding unusual colors in lives. Till today, the company has successfully delivered about 1,000,000 Sq. Ft. of Architectural and Interior experiences to our satisfied clients.
DI: What is "design" for you?
KJ : Design for me is a combination of Desire, Enthusiasm, Simplicity, Innovation, Grace And Necessity.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KJ : I believe that design is a need based solution. As a designer, I see the design as a challenge and like to design anything which is need based and add up our expertise to deliver a complete solution to the complex problem.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
KJ : There are lots of them.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KJ : Multi functional room of 4.2 m x 4.2 m which acts as a Living, Dining, Kitchen and a Bedroom was my first assignment as a designer.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KJ : Although there are new materials introduced daily and new technologies are evolved, I like to play with Natural materials and try to recycle most of the resources.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
KJ : Design is like a meditation for me. Mid nights or early mornings are the best when I am all alone and have a peaceful environment around me. Very often I venture into nearby woods or seashore to meditate over my designs.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
KJ : Functionality and Longitivity.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KJ : Like I mentioned earlier, Design process is like meditation for me. I always feel calm and relaxed while designing.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KJ : It is like attaining one step of enlightenment. Every time my designs are realised, I have taken a step towards enlightenment , feel that this is not the end and crave for the next one.
DI: What makes a design successful?
KJ : A design is most successful when it serves the purpose for which it was designed, appreciated in the sense of fulfilment of functionality, aesthetics and stay timeless through generations.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KJ : Functionality.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
KJ : Use of eco friendly, bio degradable, recycled materials is a need of time and future. At the same time, we need to adapt modern technology, and latest materials to stay in tune with the times. We as designers should be able to balance these aspects without compromising on the functionality and aesthetics of the design.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
KJ : I do not follow any particular design style or theme based designs. Theme decors are fun; but can get monotonous over time. In that sense a contemporary styling manages to interest patrons more; and that is necessary to draw them to the commercial outlets over and over again. Therefore, I choose a subtle fusion of aesthetics. As a result, rural materials and objects are seen woven into the contemporary fabric. With simplicity as the primary guiding factor, I choose an earthy look and splashes of bold colors are introduced through various elements such as traditional local art-e-facts, displays and merchandise. An engaging play of light and shade – with a cleverly designed lighting pattern enhances the divine experience generated through organic components like wood and stones. The overall experience though quite emotive, i try to showcases local context and philosophy ingeniously; without compromising on the functional and visual factors.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
KJ : I live in India, the land with rich cultural heritage and diversity. I like to play with Natural materials like stone, wood, earth, water and love to apply them in raw state. It is interesting to venture how each material behaves individually, in contrast; yet combined together creates a poetry in design.The attempt is to take out only essential extracts from Indian culture and infuse the otherwise contemporary styling with a touch of rural India. The most important design decision is to use indigenous materials and traditional construction techniques. Many of us have visited our family homes in villages and experienced the traditional homes, food, habits and way of life. My designs are based on the concept of creating a sense of nostalgia in the local patrons’ minds subtly; without letting the cultural overtones completely overpower the space. Therefore the base for the styling is chosen to be contemporary; with certain elements lending the nostalgic touches – to create an overall delightful experience. There is a deliberate attempt in designs to use fusion of traditional earthy elements with a contemporary design as a base. It creates an international look yet does not loose its identity with respect to local context.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
KJ : "Believe in what you are doing" is the only rule I follow in design.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
KJ : My sketchbook and pens are my best friends. I can not part away with them at any moment of time.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
KJ : I do not have to manage the time. In fact, the Time manages me! I would say, Time is the best manager everybody can appoint free of charge and can listen to what it says. Once you are in control of Time, everything falls in place.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
KJ : The most common question obviously is, "How much would you charge?" or "What are your fees?"
DI: Who are some of your clients?
KJ : Hilton, Magarpatta Clubs and Resorts Pvt. Ltd., Panchshil realties Pvt. Ltd., Kasturi Developers, Samartha Development Corporation, Pinnacle Developers, Growell Restaurant Pvt. Ltd. etc.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
KJ : It is very important to establish a strong network over places to exchange design ideas. Therefore; as a company, we are expanding overseas and looking out for partners from all parts. We have been talking to some of the companies overseas who are interested in taking up franchise of our company.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
KJ : It depends on project to project. Sometimes I design concepts and then handover to my assistants for further development or sometimes; we design a project as a team right from conceptualisation. Many a times, we have internal competitions and everybody comes up with their concepts. We discuss all the concepts openly and take forward the most interesting and viable concept.
DI: How can people contact you?
KJ : People can contact me through my website, http://www.studiok-7.com or can send me an e mail to ketan@studiok-7.com or you can reach me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ketanjawdekar.art.