Name: Ar. Zubin Zainuddin, Ar. Krupa Zubin

Company: ZZ Architects

Position within company: Principal Architects and Partners

Website: www.zzarchitects.com

. Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)

 Ar. Krupa Zubin : I was always excellent academically. I wanted to pursue something creative and artistic away from the norm. I was enamored by the creative world of design and decided to pursue Architecture. After joining Architecture I was highly influenced by my teachers at Pillai’s college of Architecture, Mumbai. I interned with Sanjay Puri Architects and was exposed to a variety of large-scale projects including residential schemes, multiplexes, corporate office interiors and residential interiors. I felt liberated as I spend all my time on projects that saw completion. It was exciting to imagine how good design can influence lifestyles around us.

Ar. Zubin Zainuddin : Architecture has always been something, which is very close to me even when I was very young. In my earlier years probably from my 8th or 9th standard, I wanted to be an architect. I graduated from Bharati Vidyapeeth college of Architecture, Mumbai, and worked with Ar. Hafeez Contractor, Saboo Francis and Alfaz Miller. It was exciting to see so much of construction and design activities happening across the country. I realized then that there are a lot of developmental activities going on in the country and one can make a difference, if they do the right things at the right time.

 . How would you describe your personal interior design style?

We believe that design cannot be categorised, it is a result of the client’s needs and a response to the environment around us. There are no rules to follow. Being true to the time and the space to be designed is of pragmatic value. However ‘Attention to Detail’ is something that is getting more relevant to the way we are looking at our projects.

. Where does your design inspiration come from?

We think across all the art streams, be it cinema, fashion or general art as all these things help you improve upon your work also. These inspirational things affect your sensibility at subconscious level as a designer and it helps you to become much better designer and somebody who can actually also bring lot more on to the table while doing projects of diverse natures. It is important to keep the mind open to things around us.

. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

 The world is converging; being able to source from around the globe is exciting and makes every project feel truly global.

. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2013 and beyond.

 Aspire for timeless designs in your concept.

 Integration of technology should be seamless.

 It is important to put environment, cost, design, influence and purpose of the project in foreground.

 Longevity of projects is as important as anything else when it comes to spatial design.

 . If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?

Keep the spaces and fixed settings open to incorporate a lot of personalised art in the space.

 . How important are The International Design and Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

Awards like ID&A provide the perfect platform for Designers and Architects to achieve recognition for design excellence. The awards help boost the creativity and innovation in design and are important vehicles to discover & acknowledge the talent of Architects and Designers across the globe.

. What projects are you currently working on?

We have just finished a decade of our practice and it is fulfilling and rewarding to have completed around 500 projects of various scales and typologies since inception. For over a decade we have created contemporary projects offering high end bespoke residential and commercial projects for corporate, entrepreneurs, celebrities, politicians, fashion designers, government listed companies and builders. Currently we are involved with a few Educational Institutions in Mumbai, Jodhpur and Hyderabad. We are also completing a boutique hotel in India’s capital Delhi. Some luxury villas and large scale houses for private clients in some of the major cities in India are also coming up in the next few months. We are also working on Clubhouses, Resorts, Technology parks and commercial buildings across India. Considering the constantly changing skylines of Indian cities, some high end commercial and residential buildings are also at the completion stage.

. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

Its been exhilarating to be able to set up a world class design studio and also do projects of such diverse nature across the country. It means a lot to us to be considered among current leading Indian contemporary design practices. We want to be a part of changing the perception of India as a creative and Global hub for quality projects and design.

. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself

 Your most treasured possession?

 Our collection of Indian Contemporary art.

 Your favourite holiday destination?

 Paris for its ethereal settings and Tokyo for its vibrancy.

 Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?

 The Capella in Singapore.

 Your favourite book / film / song?

 Autobiographies, they are always inspiring beyond words.

Your favourite food and drink?

 We eat to live, anything healthy is fine.

 Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? (in no more than 25 words)

 It would have to be reading while listening to music.

 If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

 Would be incomplete as this always seemed to be our calling.