“Architecture is a great responsibility to strike the right balance between human aspirations and our ecosystem”, says Sunil Patil, founder, principal architect, and managing director at Sunil Patil & Associates. Founded in 1994, it is a multi-award-winning architectural and interior design consultancy that is deeply passionate about sustainable and environment-friendly designs. With Sunil Patil, Sanjay Patil, and Anuja Pandit at the helm of affairs, the firm has completed a diverse range of projects, including public buildings, hotels, townships, commercial complexes, institutional blocks, and villas.

With a sound construction background, his father being a building contractor, and with a natural flair for art, Sunil chose architecture as a career. Sanjay on the other hand is a civil engineer turned architecture consultant bringing his technical expertise to the design process and helping shape spaces that inspire and uplift. Anuja’s early inclination towards art and the design of her childhood home sparked her interest in architecture.

Sunil’s creative process is fueled by his constant urge for innovation. He strives to create unique user experiences ensuring that every design is fresh and engaging. Anuja strongly believes that architecture should respond to climate, context, and time. She is sensitive about environmental designs and follows the philosophy, ‘form follows climate’, and creates designs that integrate with nature, blurring the transition between indoors and outdoors. Her goal is to make functional and future-proof designs by integrating technology and digital systems within the architecture.

Within a large repository of projects, each director has their personal favourites. Sunil takes pride in ‘The Collector’s Office’, a public building designed not only for authorities but the general public. His design transcends the brief given by the authority focusing on the courtyard, plazas, and buffer space to create an inclusive environment. Sanjay’s notable project is the newly designed ‘Bus Station at Baramati’, which stands out for its aesthetic appeal and impressive structural engineering. A remarkable 32-meter span between columns with a long cantilever canopy and the use of zinc roofing adds a touch of elegance creating a building that is both beautiful and functional. Anuja recently designed and completed a project, ‘Sarthi Head Office’, a government institution providing technical education to underprivileged students. Designed to provide a serene environment, the building integrates public areas like a courtyard and an amphitheater, to enrich the user experience. Climate-responsive architecture ensures natural light and ventilation while vertical fins protect from harsh sunlight and radiation.

Sunil is optimistic about modern technologies such as AI that enhance efficiency, reduce labour work and time, and improve precision. Anuja views AI as an enabler of new design possibilities, such as generative design and creating more personalized and adaptive buildings. Sanjay believes that AI can enhance creativity and productivity, making structures more responsive to user needs and environmental factors.

Looking ahead, they envision future architecture as an integration of sensibility, sustainability, technology, and seamless user experience. Smart buildings equipped with digital systems and data integration to improve user efficiency and comfort are imminent. Their advice to young architects is to build a strong foundation in architectural principles while embracing evolving technologies.