Firm/Studio Name
Shipra Shete Designs
How did you come up with the name of your studio?
I was sure that i wanted the name of the firm/studio to be simple and something that people would associate with me, hence my name as the company name.
What determined your passion for design? Tell us about the moment when you decided this is the way to go.
I have always been a creative person from childhood and have been passionate towards arts and craft. My father is an architect and I guess that has partly influenced me in pursuing architecture.
What kind of projects were you doing when you first started as a designer?
When I first started as a designer I was approached with a lot of residential projects. I also started working a café chain by the name Grandmama’s café and worked with them on multiple branches in Mumbai and Pune.
What field of design are you most interested in?
Residential buildings and interiors
What is your favorite book/magazine on design? How about your favorite site?
I am an avid follower of AD magazine and Elle Décor. I had subscribed to ifj magazine too in the past.
What is your Signature Style?
I wouldn’t want to define a certain signature style for myself since I think it restricts my own creativity to a certain extent. I like to take my client’s requirements as a starting point for designing the project. However, I do like to do modern, minimal, muted, interior spaces following straight lines with the use of wood, veneer and stone.
What inspires you to thrive in this industry? Which piece of architecture inspires you the most.
Again I don’t think there is ‘a’ piece of architecture that’s inspiring since there is so much to learn and get inspired from. In my college days I have been greatly influenced by Le Corbusier’s work and hence I have always followed a bold yet minimal clean approach towards design. This industry has a lot to offer in terms of technology and materials, that it’s almost fascinating and overwhelming. Doing residential interiors helps me connect with people, build good spaces for them , give their vision a form.
From your point of view, is design an art or a science?
Well it might sound right to say its a balance between the two, but for me, its definitely art and an architect / designer is an artist. If you create, its art. Designing buildings, spaces is about the flow and intuitiveness of the process as much as the final product. I help create an expression of people’s lifestyle and their vision for it, for them. Spaces are like 3dimensional paintings and it’s very important that designers and clients treat design as art.
If you had no limits (money, resources), what would you create?
I would love to create a residence come retreat where design and art thrives.
What advice do you have for young designers or architects reading this interview?
I would like to tell them that don’t define your style or restrict yourself to only a few materials in order to find your style. This industry has a lot to offer and its best that you explore it to the fullest first.