in Balance

Design has always been our first love. It is a vital part of our existence and the fundamental reason we get along

- PIYUSH MEHRA

Priyanka's early years in school in Delhi where she was inclined towards the arts and inspiration, through Ayn Rand's Fountainhead, drew her towards beautiful spaces. She has always wanted to "design beautiful homes for people who would remember (her) every single day in every aspect of their life at home."

For me, architecture-specific education started early with my father in Lucknow. I went on to graduate as a Gold Medalist from The Birla Institute of Technology in Ranchi, before moving to France to work with legendary French architect Dominique Perrault. Apart from academics, I also freelanced with practicing architects in Ranchi, developing building elevations and designs. This not only helped me assist my parents to fund my education but also gave me hands-on experience in the field and in the economics of it.

After working for Hafeez Contractor for five years, Priyanka felt saturated. In 2009, when the world went through a recession, Priyanka branched out on her own. From a small garage in Goregaon, she built on her dream that has brought us where we are today. "I worked morning to night, putting in more than 18 hours at work at times and the result was that I had to move to a bigger office within a year of starting the practice," she says. The second year was bigger and better projects, with two bungalows of over 20,000sqft along with several apartment interiors. "Personal life, however, was dead and I was really craving for someone to help me out. And that's when Piyush reached out to the firm," she continues.

Furthermore, Priyanka shares, "we met in the most unusual manner for most design practices. I had already been in the industry for over nine years, and Piyush was still in college and had applied for the position of an intern in the company. As a young practice, I was skeptical why someone with such a bright portfolio would come to work with me.