Bhargav Bhavsar, a senior project manager with INI Design Studio, has a forward-thinking approach and has been at the forefront of incorporating cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency and eco-friendliness in his projects. From designing India’s largest aquarium to experimenting with exposed concrete, Bhavsar’s expertise lies in creating spaces that are not only functional but also environmentally responsible. In this interview, he shares his insights on the role of sustainability in modern architecture, the impact of technological advancements, and the importance of collaboration in the construction industry.
As a senior project manager, you incorporate innovative technologies into your projects to enhance sustainability and efficiency. How do you incorporate these aspects into your design?
From day one, we are very clear in our approach that whatever we design, the building materials and orientation should be climatologically appropriate. The building’s openings should be designed in such a way that no direct sunlight enters, preventing an increase in the building’s heating load. The basic principles of sustainability and climatology play a major role in building design. So from the outset, we incorporate sustainability features and use green products and materials.
Sustainability is a crucial aspect of modern architecture, as you mentioned. Can you share a project where sustainability was a prime consideration and how it influenced the design process?
Yes, I’d like to highlight a recent project we completed, which is an aquarium. As you might know, aquariums around the world have to cater to live animals, which mostly come from rivers or seas. In their natural habitats, these animals experience varying temperatures and natural light, but in captivity, we have to create an environment that mimics this. In our project, we built the entire aquarium in the basement, which helped us save a lot of energy by maintaining the temperature more efficiently, as there was no direct sunlight. This reduced the HVAC load significantly, and it also prevented the growth of harmful fungi and bacteria in the tanks. These kinds of innovative ideas were essential to meet the functional requirements of the project.
What’s your favorite project that you have worked on?
So far, my favorite project is the aquarium. I learned a lot from this project—how to design for living animals, how to conceptualize things, and how to use materials. We used exposed concrete, and I learned about the limitations and advantages of using such natural materials. It’s definitely one of my favorite projects.
With the rapid advancement in technology, how do you foresee the role of architects changing in the near future?
The rapid advancement of technology is always a good thing, especially when it’s applied sustainably. Technological advancements are welcome, but they must consider sustainability. For instance, everyone is talking about AI nowadays. We can use AI in a sustainable manner for building management systems, materials, and reducing the building’s heating, ventilation, and electricity loads. So, technology and sustainability should go hand in hand.
Collaboration often leads to groundbreaking innovation. How do you collaborate with your team and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth execution of a project?
We always collaborate with partners in our firm, and for construction, we work closely with contractors and other stakeholders. Collaboration always improves a project. Handling an entire project single-handedly is impossible, so teamwork is essential. Providing good guidance and leadership with an open mind encourages new ideas and fosters collaboration. It’s always beneficial and leads to better outcomes.
This is regarding collaboration with your team. How was your experience working with dormakaba?
When we collaborate with any vendor, we start by being very clear about the type of products, materials, and quality we require. Dormakaba is a leading brand, and we love working with them because of their high-quality products, timely response, and punctual delivery and execution. The people at dormakaba are great, and we always enjoy collaborating with them.