Elaborate – Yet Simplified!

Pokar Architects’ brothers Khushal and Tejas Pokar combine their talents as architect and interior designer to present a home in Gandhidham – an amalgamation of quiet luxury and refined sophistication.

- Amita Sarwal

Brothers in Arms

On graduating from IPSA (Indubhai Parikh School of Architecture), Khushal Pokar, 36, did his internship at Surya Kakani Associates in Ahmedabad. Upon completing hisinterior design course from INIFD Baroda, younger brother Tejas Pokar, joined UNEVEN, a design firm in Baroda, as he wanted to be part of a creative profession.

‘Our father, DK Pokar, headed Shakti Construction. Being brought up in this environment, architecture seemed a normal complement to this. At college, my professor Ar Kishor Trivedi, inspired me immensely. He believed in playing with volumes of masses, geometrical grids and simplicity in designs, which I follow in my practice even today. I also learnt to stay connected with nature while designing, and playing with different colours while maintaining a modest palette’, says the principal architect of Pokar Architects.

Other inspirations came from the famed Le Corbusier, as his work was modernistic and his architecture, theme based. ‘The Le Corbusier quote which is almost my maxim is: “I prefer drawing to talking, drawing is faster and leaves less room for lies.” Ar Tadao Ando’s architecture and design, which stresses religion and culture, along with his creative use of natural light, also inspired me. While designing I keep these factors in mind,’ says Khushal. For Tejas: ‘My professor Pranay Shah’s well-balanced thought processes taught me about balancing architects’ designs in proportion to requirements. I experimented with new materials. Mentors? Reputed architect and interior designer, Ashish Shah’s vision of space and his choice of materials. Sandeep Khosla’s way of combining traditional aesthetics with modern design. I follow them in my work pattern,’ says the 33-year-old interior designer.