With a vivid passion for Design, my father started his Architecture and Design firm back in 1990. By the time I was finishing high school, it was clear to me that my future held a career in Architecture for me. After graduating as an Architect, I joined my father’s firm as a second generation Architect-Entrepreneur. People who are second/third generation in their household business or profession often get called out for nepotism in the industry. Although it does provide a platform for opportunity, it brings upon an individual all levels of challenges associated with that role. While most of your grad-mates are handling responsibility as employees, a second-gen professional has to handle a greater responsibility as a part of the employer side along with learning the processes that make the business go far and large.

My Architecture School tutors always mentioned to us that the real design happens once we step out of the four walls. The real world has new and different challenges. Being the latest addition to Meta Arch, I was a recipient to large opportunities at the very start of my Architectural Practice. The first thing I faced was learning to bridge the gap between my relation as a new fresher with practically zero experience on real life projects and my association with my father’s company with years of qualification and experience while I represent the establishment. It became urgent and important to grasp and learn as much as I can in the shortest amount of time given. A sort of make-belief situation where there is a large amount of self-training to be done along with facing and addressing challenges and coming up with solutions.

My first experience began with working for a wealthy businessman who was looking to build projects across multiple cities. It was like throwing a small child into the pool so that the child can learn to swim and get over any fear of the water. The client would give an exact amount of 3-4 minute to present the idea and strategies to accomplish. All during the process, it was important to intuitively analyze the client’s needs and goals, carry out a precise research and deliver. Clarity with a hundred percent honesty about important subjects can go a very long way. Another important factor that helped me accomplish my first project and deliver with satisfactory quality is good communication. Architecture falls under the service industry and having clear communication with the user is the essence of good service. These are the key life principles that I learnt apart from the necessity of performing with good design concepts and quality work.

An Architect who creates a project, lives forever until the building lasts. Projects like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona have carried the legacy of Gaudi for more than hundred years. The profession is sacred and life-giving through creative endeavors. Clarity in objectives and a principled working within the profession goes a long way in this industry. Producing concepts that challenge global issues and bring about solutions that break grounds is the core requisite of an Architect’s life.