DOWN THE Designer's Path

IN A FREEWHEELING CHAT WITH ARCHITECT JASON WADHWANI, TINA THAKRAR EXPLORES HIS DESIGN STORY, AND THOSE HE CRAFTS FOR OTHERS

- TINA THAKRAR

Walking into architect Jason Wadhwani's design studio in Mumbai is like getting a quick lesson in his signature style. His trademark monochromatic aesthetic pervades every nook, seasoned with lush greenery, exquisite works of art, books, and artefacts from his travels around the globe. It's an atmosphere in which he feels most at home, and hopes that others do too.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Jason was first exposed to the field of design at home. His father, architect Ashok Wadhwani, ran his firm from a room in their home, and Jason spent most of his time after school poring over the drawings and renders, or rummaging through books in the sizable library. "It was like living in a creative bubble, being surrounded by beautiful things to look at. It was the perfect introduction to design, as well as film, music and art," says Jason, who went on to study architecture at Rachana Sansad in Mumbai.

After his diploma, he dove right into practising architecture, settling in as a newbie in the same office he grew up in. His first few tasks were simple planning a bathroom, designing a bar table, or composing a bedroom, in his father's projects. The pair slowly progressed to working on entire projects together, until Jason felt ready to branch out on his own. Around 2011, he set up Jason Wadhwani Design as a natural progression to everything he had learnt and imbibed from his father. The peaches and browns gave way to blacks and whites, and the classic aesthetic made way for modern interpretations.