Founder and principal designer at Infinity Architecture and Designs, Ajinkya Dhumal prefers drawing to talking when it comes to displaying what his firm can do for its clients.
With the 17-year-old firm’s expertise in internal space-planning, interior-environment design, schematic design, design development, detailed interior design documentation, and more, it has so far catered to the Goel Ganga Group, Gagan Group, BMW, Maruti Nexa, MIT, and Thermax, among others. Dhumal tells us more about it:
What is your design philosophy?
Ideate, Integrate and Implement — this is the trinity responsible for Infinity’s phenomenal success. We cater to the Luxury Interior Design market that can appreciate the finer things in life.
The mantra at Infinity is — do not linger around problems, be a part of the solution team.
All our projects are designed and executed with a holistic approach. Infinity believes that the field requires artists that create and provide authentic service to clients.
Understanding the difference between the client’s need and want is crucial to the project.
Every single design and material used by us is original and unique, making it completely personalised for every client. We take pride in our impeccable execution process with a dedicated site engineer and individual designer at every site, apart from the principal designer.
Infinity is capable of blending different elements to create an ambience which makes it feel lively and perfectly complements the client’s character and taste.
Nowadays, it’s all about doing whatever you can to preserve the environment. What eco-friendly concepts do you incorporate in your designs?
The fusion of technology, structural engineering, architectural art, functionality with urban contextualising should be sustainable in terms of reducing carbon emissions, long-term cost savings and local construction practices which is an integrated approach for future developments.
Energy efficiency has now become a must for most commercial buildings. Innovations are on to enable this.
Each day across the world, there are substitutes for better material performance and workability for a host of building elements, this has created an edge in the design field too by adding possibilities which didn’t exist in the past.
The goals of such structures are to achieve water and material efficiency while aiming at waste reduction.
Which among your projects done so far is your masterpiece?
It is a luxury bungalow — the Ladkat’s mansion is a masterpiece. We have recycled wood which already existed in the structure and reused it in the new bungalow. It is an example of contemporary architecture with a modern blend. The double-height living and glass façade is the royal element of the bungalow.
What are the current trends in residential projects?
Design trends are moving towards modern themes with the increased use of modular kitchens, wardrobes and fixed furniture. Clean lines in light colours with accents/accessories that can be changed with time, is the growing theme.
A home should be a reflection of its owner’s character, inspiration and intuitions. The process of knowing and understanding the owner before the designing begins, is the indispensable first step in the journey to build a home.
The courtyard ‘type’ is an amazing design element that has been a part of Indian home building for centuries. Not only does it respond to Indian climatic conditions, but also allows for a division of private and public spaces. The manipulation of the courtyard in the house capitalises on that and seamlessly connects it with the rest of the site. It also creates shaded spaces.
I’ve respected traditional knowledge, not blindly copied it. But all of it primarily has to be about function, followed by aesthetic.
What are the current requirements in corporate projects?
Functional and efficient mood-based colours are taking priority in all corporate world designs. The material, design and colours are expected to be pragmatic. Pops of flamboyance are however saved for pockets. Quirky designs are phased out; there are less takers for this style. Colours play a significant role and each corresponds to an absolute psychological facet.
How do you select and source materials?
Architecture today is governed by the comforts of modern living. People want to use the newest technologies as well as variety and innovative materials to make their building the best.
Material finishes are what you see, what you touch and feel. They insulate sound, react to light and become a backdrop for the artifacts arranged in the house. I love natural materials since they weather well and change with time in unpredictable and interesting ways. We source or specify materials only after the actual mock-up on the site and we are continuously in search of new and better materials.
What are some projects you are working on currently?
Infinity is currently working on commercial projects like Pune Central (Bund Garden Road), E Q Technologic’s head office on S B Road and Indian railway station’s food hub. We also have institutional projects like Dhole Patil Engineering college, a primary school, high school, and residential projects like private bungalows in Sindh society, Baner.
What is your take on Indian architecture’s future evolution?
Architects are all about creating possibilities for human life. We are adding value with everything that we do. Creating sustainable structures that are user-friendly and eco-friendly is our goal.
What are your plans for 2020?
Infinity has clients majorly in Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad. Achieving sustainability while strategically positioning and living up to our motto, Infinity aims to build a significant presence pan India, and to eventually have international collaborations too. We are striving to sculpt an entity where the lifestyle which everyone covets gets manifested in reality.
