Born in Ranchi, Mrs. Neeloo Balani did her schooling in Loreto Convent, amongst the best schools in the city and there after went to Bihar College of Engineering (BCE) in Patna for five years of architecture studies. She followed this with a two year stint at C.P. Kukreja and Associates, an architectural firm of international repute in Delhi. Mrs. Neeloo Balani settled in Ahmedabad after marrying Mr. Laxman Balani who holds a senior position in a private insurance company. In Ahmedabad, she joined the renowned Dr. BV. Doshi’s architectural firm where she worked for two years. SUbsequently, she left professional practice...

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This month the Vaasluyogam team met with Mumbai based interior designer Mrs Bhavita Shah. Mrs. Bhavita Shah was born and brought up in Mumbai. After completing her schooling from the Fellowship School at Nana Chowk, Mumbai, she pursued her diploma in interior decoration at the spacious campus ofthe SVT Polytechnic, Santa Cruz in Central Mumbai. The SVT Polytechnic is affiliated to the very respectable SNDT University. In 1999, she was married to Mr.Parag Shah. She works from her flat at Church Gate, South Mumbai. We met Mrs. Bhavita Shah while she was in Ahmedabad on a social visit. Right from our childhood years,...

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“Architecture is balance of art and engineering” - RATHIN GOGHARI Mr. Rathin Goghari teaches design at CEPT University, Ahmedabad as visiting faculty since 2000 in the School of Architecture and School of Interior Design. Born in Mumbai in 1960, Mr. Rathin Goghari did his Bachelors of Science (Physics) St.Xaviers College, Ahmedabad. He followed it up with Graduate Studies In Architecture, School Of Architecture, Centre for Environmental Planning And Technology, Ahmedabad. After graduating from the School of Architecture, he joined as Projects-In-Charge at  Stien Doshi and Bhalla...

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“One Should Fear Vaastu Less And Love Vaastu More” - Mr. Ashish Chandrakant Sompura Mr. Ashish Chandrakant Sompura hails from a family that is renowned for temple architecture. The family, since generations has been designing famous temples in India. Born in 1971, Ashish Sompura is an Ahmedabad-based architect. He first completed his diploma in civil engineering in 1992 from B&B Polytechnic, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat and thereafter did his Architecture at the Institute Of Environmental Design, D. C. Patel School of Architecture, Vallabh Vidyanagar...

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“Vaastu is a deeply thought out science” … Architect Sumesh Modi This month Vaastuyogam meets architect Sumesh Modi an architect from Surat. Mr Modi was born and brought up Vyara a small town at a short distance from Surat, Gujarat’s fastest growing city. His family is in the business of setting up temporary tents, shamianas and pandals. During his early days Mr Modi erected and dismantled many a pandal for the family business. However, even at that time his true interest lay...

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“There is no space for an architect to resist the client’s Vaastu insistence.” - Architect, Jagrut Patel Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, architect Jagrut Patel studied at St Xavier’s Loyola, before doing his Bachelor of Architecture from the Institute of Environment Design (I.E.D). His family hails from the village Jaitalpur, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad; but moved to the city when his father Mr. Ramanbhai was doing his primary schooling. We met Jagrut Patel at his office “Vitan” in Ahmedabad. Excerpts from the interview:-

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Living The Vaastu Way In India’s Vaastu Capital This month, the Vaastuyogam team met leading Hyderabad-based civil engineer Mr Ravikanth Gundu at his office in New MLA Colony, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Born and brought up in Hyderabad, Mr Ravikanth is the youngest of three brothers and the only engineer in the family. He began his career in engineering sixteen years ago and currently operates under his firm Symbiosis Architects and Engineers. Excerpts from the interview:-   About Symbiosis Architects and Engineers

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Vaastu is definitely a science ignored for reasons I do not understand. Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, Mr. Ujjval Fadia joined CEPT in 1994 after completing his secondary education from Gujarat Law Society (GLS). His father, Mr Tushar Fadia, was in the business of interiors which made him take up Architecture which was “one step ahead” Mr Ujjval Fadia’s firm has a balanced mix of architecture and interiors with clients from Kathmandu, Bengaluru and of course Gujarat.We met Architect Ujjval Fadia at his...

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“Vaastu is a matter of faith for some people and I don’t subscribe to it” Born and brought up in Ajmer, Architect Gurjit Singh Matharoo did most of his schooling there before joining CEPT, School of Architecture in Ahmedabad. He is the Proprietor of his firm M/s Matharoo Associates that takes on jobs of Architecture, Interior Design, Product Design and Structural Design all under one roof. His assignment related travels have taken him to Switzerland, UK, Bhutan, Myanmar, Italy, Dubai and China, MrMatharoo is Faculty at School...

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Tradition as a Viable Methodology For Contemporary Design Architect Karan Grover passed Bachelor of Architecture in 1974 from the M.S. University of Baroda with a Gold Medal for his thesis on “Pedestrian Precincts”. He was awarded Post Graduate Diploma in 1975 from the Architectural Association in London under the tutorship of John Turner for the thesis “Housing the Urban Poor in India”. Mr Karan carried on partnership practice from 1975 to 1985 under the name “Patel & Grover”  From...

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“Following Vaastu cannot do any harm, and yet it may do wonders that none else can.” This month, Vaastuyogam meets Ahmedabad based Architect Harshad Prajapati.We met him at his office near Income-Tax char rasta, Ahmedabad. Excerpts from the interview:- Born in Dholasan in the Mehsana district of Gujara,t Mr Harshad Prajapati went to school in the nearby village of Ambaliyasan where his father Mr.Keshavlal was practising as an Ayurvedic doctor. In 1978, Mr Harshad Prajapati joined the...

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Urban Design Catches – Up In India - Professor Rajiv Kadam of Urban Design at CEPT explains We met Mr Rajiv Kadam is Associate Professor at Masters Program in Urban Design, Faculty of Architecture, CEPT University., at our Vaastuyogam office. Excerpts from the interview I was born in Alibaug, Maharashtra. As my father was in the Western Railways, I did my early education in Gandhidham, Gujarat and the rest of it in Maninagar, Ahmedabad. I have been in Ahmedabad since 1975. I have grown up in this...

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“With the Vaastu layer in his design the architect won’t find disfavour with the client.” This month the Vaastuyogam team met Anoop Rao, an Ahmedabad based Interior design consultant at our Vaastuyogam office. Excerpts from the interview Introduction We are from Mangalore, a coastal area of Karnataka but have been in Ahmedabad for over three generations. My grandparents moved to Ahmedabad lock, stock and barrel, several decades ago. After completing my schooling from St. Xavier’s Loyola in Ahmedabad, I took up architecture at CEPT- School of Architecture in...

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Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, Ms.Vrushti Mawani Jani completed her HSC from Udgam school and then did her bachelors in architecture from CEPT, School Of Architecture. She followed this with a Masters in Urban Planning & Design from the University of Melbourne, Australia. After returning to Ahmedabad, she worked with the CEPT Research and Development Unit for a year and a half. CEPT CEPT is an idealistic kind of a place, with soft spoken, gentle and veteran architects who pour out all their experiences and...

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“Why oppose Vaastu, when industrialists and business families openly admit their success is linked to its implementation.” — Architect Yatin Acharya Born in Dhanbad in the state of Jharkhand, Mr.Yatin Acharya did his primary schooling in St. Anthony’s Kolkata and then moved to Ahmedabad because his father Kirit yearned to be back in Gujarat, his birth place. Mr. Yatin Acharya completed his architectural studies from Surat in Gujarat, and thereafter directly started practice in Ahmedabad from 2002. We met him at our Vaastuyogam office. Excerpts from the...

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“The debate about Vaastu is unnecessary as it has now become a customer requirement which architects and builders must respect.” Hailing from the Eastern part of Ahmedabad city, the Galaxy group has made a religion out of up-scaling the Naroda landscape, bringing to it a range of housing options, from basic low-cost housing to ultra-modern, sprawling townships comprising swank bungalows and posh flats. Along the way, they have added commercial complexes and now a high rise complex in eastern Ahmedabad’s. The Galaxy Group is one of the rare builders...

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Vaastu is a perfect, indigenous model for housing if you keep to it you can make a fairly good house without engaging an architect Architect Leo Pereira This month Vaastuyogam met architect Leo Pereira at his Ahmedabad office. Born and brought up in Ahmedabad the 66 years old architect  has been a visiting faculty at CEPT School of Architecture  – Ahmedabad for over 25 years now. He began his career working with renowned architect Hasmukh C. Patel of Ahmedabad and then went on to start his own practice....

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Real Vaastu is very beneficial. I entertain no doubts about that. Founded in 1984, Space Management is Ahmadabad’s premier real estate agency that has, till date, handled over 800 corporate clients. The company works out of a sprawling 4,000 square feet office in Navrangpura – the corporate hub of Ahmedabad. Space Management is into all aspects of the realty business – be it buying, selling or renting commercial or residential property in the prime locations of western Ahmedabad. It is also into Project Marketing. Space Management also handles mutual funds with a corpus of over Rs. 250 crore. Further, it...

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“Vaastu karo! magar daro mat!!” Architect Ashok Purohit This month Vaastuyogam met architect Mr.Ashok Purohit at his Ahmedabad office. Mr.Ashok Purohit hails from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He came to Ahmedabad in 1963 to study architecture at CEPT, Ahmedabad and has made Ahmedabad his home since then. Mr.Purohit has retired from active architectural practice. “I chose to exit, while at the top”, says the nirvana soaked architect who has moved on to managing his own City Pulse group of multiplexes. He has recently started a Film & Television Institute in Gandhinagar. Excerpts from...

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Mr.Hemant Bakshi INTER SPACE DESIGNS PVT LTD. is a design led, multi-disciplinary interior and product design company specializing in manipulation and creation of physical spaces, graphic landscapes, spatial and temporal relationships and products to enhance lifestyle. At the helm of affairs is a team of professional architects & designers who have graduated from National Institute of Design & School of Architecture, Ahmedabad. The directors of the company have been practicing architecture & interior design consultancy since the last 25 years. The company is owned and run by...

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“Leading Architect discusses Vaastu and Industrial Design” Architect Kunal Patel is born and brought up in Ahmedabad. He did his schooling in St. Xavier’s, Loyola and thereafter graduated from CEPT, Ahmedabad in 1992-1993. He joined HCP Design and Project Management Pvt. Ltd. in 1995 as a junior architect and has been with them ever since. “We gelled well together since the beginning and this is my 16th year here” says he. Kunal is an ardent traveler and has traveled to different parts of the...

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For me Vaastu is very personal thing. It is there with me all the time in my mind. Mr. Navzer Irani is a leading architect in Mumbai. He completed his G.D. Arch. from Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Mumbai in 1975-76. He is a Member of the Council of Architecture and an Associate of the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA). Some of the significant and prestigious projects that he has handled are Reliance Petroleum Ltd. at Jamnagar, Gujarat; Hotel Silver Plaza at Surat in Gujarat, Four Seasons Winery Complex (the...

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Wherever possible, on our own, we are doing houses as per Vaastu. I always prefer that if a client believes in Vaastu he should involve his Vaastu consultant right from the beginning, even before the design process begins, because afterwards it becomes a very traumatic experience trying to adjust to the alterations the Vaastu consultant might insist on. I personally believe that Vaastu should be implemented but one must also see the Astrological position. So, one has to keep both Vaastu and...

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Surprisingly, after implementing Dr. Rao’s Vaastu prescriptions the breakdowns reduced drastically.  Yes, there is no doubt about it, their numbers have drastically gone down. But, somehow, it is difficult to believe that just a few changes were able to achieve what we have achieved. I am a Vaastu believer. What has happened with me is much more than my expectations… When we built the new house everything was done the Vaastu way as Dr.Rao wanted it. And we did this from the design stage...

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During the course of 2009 Vaastuyogam spoke to a cross section of Architects, industrialists, businessmen and professionals.Presented here are excerpts from the published interviews I tell many of my clients that they should seek Vaastu solutions if they want smooth sailing for their business and personal lives. In fact, I get them in touch with Dr Rao because he is truly a versatile and trustworthy Vaastu consultant who will only give genuine advice and who believes in the long term happiness and growth of his clients. In our ceramic insulators manufacturing plant...

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“I respect Vaastu and have, In my own way, been practicing it” Mr. Jitendra Mistry, is an architect having taken his degree from USA. He worked under the guidance and direction of world famous architect Dr. Walter Groupis at the Architects Collaborative Inc., Cambridge, USA. Founded in year 1968, by Mr. Jitendra Mistry,  Mistry Associates provides complete professional services in the fields of Architecture, Master Planning & Interior Designing. Mr. Mistry has designed several projects for Educational Institutes, Hotels, Commercial Buildings, Industrial Estates and Private residential houses. Mr. Mistry’s ‘Studio 3’, established since 1972...

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Born 1972 in Colaba, Mumbai Pranav Parikh did his schooling in St Xaviers, Loyola, Ahmedabad and then did Building Science and Technology (BSTS) from CEPT, Ahmedabad. However, since he was inclined towards interiors he did evening courses (under the CEPT syllabus) in interiors and furniture design that were conducted by NID faculty). As soon as he completed his BSTS from CEPT, in 1996 Mr. Pranav Parikh has been doing interiors in his name & style of his company Prayojan. Incidentally the logo of his company was redesigned under Dr. Rao’s supervision....

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This month we Interview with Captain Laxman. He speaks about how he developed his, now unshakeable faith in Vaastu as well as Dr. Rao. Born on 25th August 1961 in Dehradun, Captain Laxman is a Rajput coming from a military background. Like so many army children he did his schooling in cities spread all over India, finally the family settled in Delhi where he completed his graduation. Mr. Nilesh Sawant is a confirmed Vaastu believer.  He completed his  B.Arch from J. J School of Architecture, Mumbai  in 1992. He has been working with ...

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“We have seen that, even if you do not believe in Vaastu, but you design as per Vaastu, the design comes out better and more functional and efficient.” – Pavan Bakeri This month Vaastuyogam interviews Pavan Bakeri of the Ahmedabad based Bakeri Group.Set up in 1959, Bakeri is one of the oldest real estate developers in India. The company has in its fold a team of skilled architects, civil engineers and contractors. It was the first one in India to be awarded the highest PA-1 rating by CRISIL for...

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“As an architect, I try and take care of the vaastu part without being explicit about it.” – Sanjeev Agrawal Born in Ahmedabad in 1966, Mr. Sanjeev Agrawal  did his schooling in St. Xaviers and completed his Architecture from CEPT in 1989. He provides design and turn key solutions for architecture/interior projects across Gujarat. Though Mr. Sanjeev Agrawal hails from Rajasthan, his family settled in Ahmedabad when his grandfather Mr. Chiranjilal migrated to  Ahmedabad in 1914. A unique facet of Mr. Sanjeev Agrawal’s profile is that he has taken to...

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Architect Mr Hiren Gandhi Hiren A. Gandhi is a CEPT graduate of the year 1977 and practising Architecture, Interior Designing and Urban Planning since the year 1979. He has to his credit several prestigious projects with Govt., Semi Govt. Corporate and institutional clients. Some of his prestigious clients are ISRO, IPCL, DDA, GSPC, Science City, Times of India, Nova, AMC, HPCL etc. He has won prestigious “Excellence in Urban” Architecture award of Indian Institute of Architects in the year 1995. We met him at his Memnagar office in Ahmedabad. Excerpts from the...

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Mr Anand Tatu Mr. Anand Tatu is a top ranking Ahmedabad based architect known for his high profile corporate clients of national and international stature. Born in 1959, Mr. Anand Tatu did his B. Arch. from CEPT University, A.I.I.A. and his Masters in Urban & Regional Planning- CEPT in 1984. He has served as Research Associate with National Institute of Design and CEPT Planning Cell on various projects and as Planning Consultant to The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on World Bank Aided Slum up gradation Projects. Apart from Architectural and Interior Design Projects...

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Mr Hiren Patel Born 1965, Hiren Patel graduated from the prestigious C.E.P.T Ahemadabad in 1989. In over 19 years of practice he has to his credit a multitude of outstanding projects all over India and abroad. Mr. Patel has the rare distinction of beeing certified architect for internationally recognized “LEED” system that provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. We met Mr. Hiren Patel at his Ahmedabad office. Excerpts from the interview:

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I don’t do design for clients. When I design, I am the client. – Shaan Zaveri Thirty – six years old Shaan Zaveri has an extremely unusual background. Technically, Mr. Zaveri is not an architect though he has designed buildings of different scale and size. He says he is an “architect by interest, rather than by profession. Architecture is in my blood, so to speak. Mr. Zaveri comes from a family of architects. His father Anand Zaveri, his aunt Mana Sarabhai and cousin Mischa are...

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Born in 1967 and having graduated from the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai. Mr. Ajit Shilpi is considered one of Mumbai’s ace architects. Practicing since 1993 Mr. Shilpi has a long list of top rank clients in the various segments like Apparel & Fashion stores, Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes and prestigious Mr Ajit Shilpi offices and showrooms. Vaastuyogam met Mr.Shilpi in his Raguvanshi Estate office in Mumbai and asked him about his views on Vaastu. Excerpts from the interview:- About Vaastu Vaastu guides you but doesn’t resolve...

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Mr Naozer Irani is a leading architect in Mumbai who exudes immense confidence and possesses vast and rich experience in the planning, designing, engineering and implementation of a wide range of projects. He completed his G.D. Arch. from Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Mumbai in 1975-76. He is a Member of the Council of Architecture and an Associate of the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA). Some of the significant and prestigious projects that he has handled are Reliance Petroleum Ltd. at Jamnagar, Gujarat; Hotel Silver Plaza at Surat in Gujarat,...

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Vaastu is analogous with key tenets of Climatology & Green building Mr Kunal Patel is an Associate Architect and Principal Designer with HCP Design and Project Management Pvt. Ltd. (HCPDPM) in Ahmedabad. He completed his Diploma in Architecture in 1995 from the School of Architecture, CEPT, Ahmedabad and later took a Diploma in Marketing from the Nirma Institute of Management. He has been associated with HCPDPM since January 1995 and has led several architectural design projects. Mr Patel’s forte is designing fast-paced, large-scale and heavily-serviced production and research facilities for diverse industries....

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Vaastu propels peace and prosperity Devendra Shah is the founder and Managing Director of Ducon Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad. Having taken a degree in civil engineering from L.D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad in 1981, he also took training in ‘Computer Programming in FORTRAN IV’ from PRL and ‘Electrification in Buildings’ from CEPT, Ahmedabad. Devendra Shah started his independent practice from 1988. Ducon is predominantly engaged in structural and architectural design services. He voiced his views on Vaastu with Vaastuyogam. “I have built my bungalow...

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Clients have become more Vaastu conscious now , says well-known Architect Ashok Purohit. Mr Ashok Purohit is one of the most successful architects in Ahmedabad. He is also the owner of City Pulse Media (India) Ltd., the first tech-studded multiplex in Gandhinagar. In a tête-à-tête with Vaastuyaogam, Mr Purohit emphasized that before planning any structure, he lays priority to the functional factor as well as the Vaastu perspective. Mr Ashok Purohit Mr Ashok Purohit is a multifaceted man. He is professionally one of the...

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Excerpts from a conversation that Vaastuyogam had with him: Vaastu is interwoven with life, affirms Mr Jitendra Mistry. “Vaastu is always considered important in our way of living. As the sun rises and sets, there is flow of energy in the building. I give more importance to light and movement of air in the building. If these two things are taken care of in a building, then definitely our lifestyle will be better. The energy flow makes you active,” he points out. Mr Mistry’s...

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