THE DESIGN TRINITY

WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF PROJECTS UNDER THEIR BELTS, KANHAI GANDHI, SHRESHT KASHYAP AND NEEMESH SHAH OF KNS ARCHITECTS ARE FULFILLING THE OBJECTIVE THAT THEY BEGAN THEIR PRACTICE WITH – CREATING CONTEXTUAL, ARTISTIC AND BESPOKE DESIGN SOLUTIONS

- MITALEE KURDEKAR

The year was 1996; three college friends came together to commence a business venture for the manufacture and retail of hand-made ceramic tiles. It was around the same time that the trio of architects also got an opportunity to work on a massive architecture project that was to represent ‘a walk through Indian history’, for which they conducted a detailed study on the history of Indian architecture and all its eras. While the project itself did not take off, it led to the formation of an architecture and interior design firm – KNS Architects, which was officially launched in 1997.

Named after its founders, the firm has – since inception – carried out an extensive spectrum of design projects. These range from master planning to hospitality and retail, as well as residential to commercial, and are located across India and overseas – in the United Kingdom, Singapore and now the USA. Over the years, they have worked on bungalows, second home schemes, high-end apartments, commercial interiors, restaurants, clubhouses and showrooms. Yet, in all this time, the firm has never limited itself to a design philosophy or approach, probably why they have survived and shone in this competitive industry.

“We are constantly working on new ideas and out-of-the-box concepts, as well as exploring different materials. We do not have a signature style, and that gives us the freedom to create and innovate,” states Neemesh Shah, co-founder & principal architect, KNS Architects.

Shresht Kashyap, also co-founder & principal architect at the firm, adds that their practice lays special emphasis on “creating a personality for the site,” an endeavour they strive to achieve with each and every project they undertake.