“The Aces of Space Design Awards have been revived after a few years and, having been on the jury previously too, I know that this is a good platform for young designers – who we should encourage. This is not being done to gain anything [personally or professionally]. It is to encourage new designers.
“I would like to see fresh innovative ideas translated – towards creating unique spaces.
“You should enter only if you really feel that you have accomplished something new. Clear drawings with plans, sections, context and how the project achieves a unique identity must be emphasised. Photographs must show the project in entirety in its surroundings as well as its details. Presentation should be restricted to 2 A2 size sheets with everything clearly visible. Concept notes should be 300 words max.”
ABOUT SANJAY PURI
Back in 1992, Sanjay Puri began his practice with an opportunity like none other. What started off as a 54-acre township in Vasai (in the outskirts of Mumbai), over the years has grown to a portfolio that boasts of over 40 million sq-ft of completed projects in various typologies – from apartments, luxury individual buildings and homes to hotels, schools, entertainment centres, office buildings, retail malls, temples, clubs, art galleries and cinema complexes. “Over a period of time, the consciousness towards sustainability and context has increased manifold; and our designs have become more meaningful. Each of our projects is driven by the need to create a strong contextual response and evolve a new experience of spaces,” states the architect.
Winner of the World’s Best Housing Project at the World Architecture Festival 2018 (Amsterdam) and the World’s Best Residential Project of 2017 at the LEAF Awards, London, Puri’s work continues to put India on the global map. But as the practice continues to grow, he admits that they plan to do fewer projects and, instead, increase their focus on sustainability and generating energy-efficient architecture that does not draw parallels with anything created before. “Our continuity in this approach will contribute to an architecture that is rooted in India and is simultaneously unique. We see ourselves creating more uniquely designed spaces infused with tradition, context and sustainability,” points out Puri, who strongly advocates that architects must not give in to the commercial needs of clients and focus more on creating good design.
