The ArSHEtect Perspective: Featuring Shilpa Jain Balvally

Founded in 2010, Studio Osmosis is an award-winning multidisciplinary design practice formed by Sameer Balvally and Shilpa Jain Balvally. The Studio’s foundation is based on the genesis of the ‘Osmosis’ phenomenon where the ultimate design is a product of client collaboration and intricate aesthetic detail. As a studio we constantly balance the youthful enthusiasm with experience gathered by working with clients across India and their international experience in the USA. Our process is all about absorbing the individual needs of the client, working cohesively on the design and collaboratively arriving at a solution which is not only creative but also tangible and sustainable.

Our Studio vision is a practice where young minds work together; ideas are born, nurtured and streamlined to offer the perfect service and a superior product to the client. It important for us that it’s a comfort space where professionals enjoy what they do; building relationships. Each project for me and the studio is unique in its own way in terms of design, concept and details.

What does remain constant is the methodology of our collaborative as well as interactive approach based on research, site and context.

The diversity of each project be it big or small, has a new experience and it opens up a variety of ideas. There is a constant experimentation of design and technology, adapting different client, site, materials and budget. Over the years, these are the things I believe work and we are still constantly learning but these are also learnings from our past.

For me as well as my partner Sameer, studying and working abroad has been a turning point for our careers and life.

We have realized the importance of being open-minded, sustainability in practice, and the impact of cross-culture as well as past influences on design. These encounters have become an essential part of our personality, and today we constantly merge the pros of both cultures and experiences, into our lives and the way we practice at Studio Osmosis.

I had always worked in large-sized firms and worked on large scale projects which could even go on for years while in India and abroad. It was challenging as well as a self-realization to work on all kinds of projects which could be anything ranging between 500 Sq. Ft. to 5000 Sq. Ft.

We slowly realized each of those ended up becoming important milestones and learning experiences. When ideas and thoughts are reinforced by a coherent philosophy, they transcend scale. Enquiry and growth are an integral part of the creative and analytical mind, and so is the urge to challenge the boundaries of one’s comfort zone. This exploration can take place at many levels, from typology to material to process to scale. These became the building blocks to a very strong foundation at Studio Osmosis, as well as at a personal level of living and enjoying the moment and making the best out of it.  Personally, the birth of our highly energetic son almost a decade ago demanded some changes in my work life, reminding me back of our work-life balance. Reducing the commute times in the ever-increasing Mumbai traffic by moving work and home closer became a no brainer. It eventually led to revisiting and analysing our project timelines, processes and systems to better the overall work environment and generate more studio productivity yet keeping the youth and fun alive. Also, one learns to say no when required, which is very tough for Designers.

I grew up in a culture where about two to three decades ago, women didn’t always speak up, challenge or do any of those things that would help gain confidence and independence. To overcome these cultural norms in order to navigate in a male-dominated architectural profession and construction industry easily, I tried to follow my gut feeling and got out of my comfort zone. Lucky for me, my parents were supportive. Also, growing up, we have travelled a lot, and I always found myself inquisitive about the places, culture and surroundings. All that did leave everlasting influences on the right brain that was absorbing like a sponge unknowingly.  On a lighter note, I still feel I was destined to meet my life and work partner while becoming an Architect so I couldn’t have been elsewhere.

Today, as a practising Studio for more than a decade, we have been predominantly Women Architects and Designers without even consciously planning on it.

It only means that the best talent and most deserving candidates can be strong women who are capable of going through all phases of design, execution and supervision on-site and give their best to the practice supporting and mentoring younger colleagues simultaneously other than managing their home front.

Each project for me and the studio is unique in its own way in terms of design, concept and details. What does remain constant is the methodology of our collaborative as well as an interactive approach based on research, site and context. There is a constant experimentation of design and technology, adapting to the different client, site, materials and budget. Over the years, these are the things I believe work and we are still always learning. Listen to the needs of your clients and your team. If you can master the skill of connecting with others outside of our profession in a way that is inclusive and inspiring, you will allow for our best work as Architects and Designers to come to fruition. Be firm and yet have a good sense of humour. Look for the great support at home or friends and inspire a good team at work, while recognizing every day how lucky we are to be involved with such a fascinating professional journey.  Stay motivated by beauty – music, art, nature, travel and little pleasures with family and stay away from negativity.

Design is an expression of art; a liveable art that defines volumes we live in and has an impact around.

We are living in a world where natural resources are depleting and the carbon footprint is increasing every year resulting in unpredictable climate change. We believe that it’s time where designing should not limit to its building or the interior spaces but it should be an education to the people who would be occupying or living in those spaces.

Every space designed and built should impart knowledge to its inhabitants about conscious conservation and learning the values. A project is truly sensitive when the occupants marry the ideology of the project to give back to the planet. We believe if we start this endeavour at home it will go to building a better city and country.