Rising Star AR Amruta Daulatabadkar Aurangabad

Ar Amruta Daulatabadkar started her firm in April 2013. Her initial projects had less experimenting approach as she was mainly trying to get a foothold on the city. Later as opportunities poured in, with confidence, the firm started an experimental approach towards work, with material palette and spaces. Ar Daulatabadkar began use of local materials, experimentation with material, supporting local craftsmen, and creating architectural spaces with concept going hand in hand with context and importance to fetch in natural light. The young and energetic architect shares that she always makes efforts to ensure that the architectural work done by her firm is enough to complete a project, rather than just giving a lipstick treatment through varied materials to complete the interiors. The dynamic architect is steadily proving her mettle in the field, and accomplishments like winning the WADe India Excellence Award and Young Practice of the Year Award in WADe Asia 2018. Kudos to the young champion from #SurfacesReporter!

- Who inspired you to build a career in architecture? What kind of support you got from family?

My father. He suggested me to take up architecture as a profession. He played a major role in initiating my thought process of merging culture, context and architecture. He was brought up in a heritage colony and always had inclination towards an old courtyard house and traditional culture. He always inspired me to give people back their culture through architecture. He insisted me to concentrate more on basic needs, natural light and comfort followed by design aesthetics.

They have been the foundation and pillars of my journey! Their trust in me that I can do was enough. They have always had a ‘yes’ for everything that could add to my growth.

- To make the younger generation more capable, what kind of betterment in the education system would you like to see?

I think it would be better to do away with the lessons on 3D modelling software and make students do all their design development on models, make them explore things by themselves by inspiring them to travel, meet people and improve their mindset.

- Do you feel if you would have got more handson practice at the college level, it would have helped you in your practice?