In the ever-evolving world of design and architecture, the luminaries who transcend borders and cultures to shape innovative narratives are the true pioneers. Tanvi, an accomplished Architect and Luxury Interior Designer, is one such creative force, currently making her mark in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, with a wealth of work experience spanning the dynamic cities of New York, London, and her hometown, Mumbai.
A graduate of Mumbai University, Tanvi embarked on her journey in the world of architecture, a journey that would eventually take her to the bustling hubs of design and creativity. She specialized in Interior Futures at the prestigious University of the Arts London, a city renowned for its rich design heritage. This unique blend of academic excellence and global exposure has equipped her with a distinctive perspective and an unrivaled skill set that transcends conventional boundaries.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Tanvi is an avid reader, constantly seeking inspiration and knowledge to fuel her creative endeavors. Her passion lies in the seamless fusion of art, design, and technique, resulting in designs that are not only visually captivating but also structurally sound and functional.
As we prepare to embark on another exciting episode of Future Talks by RTF, we are honored to present Tanvi, a dynamic Architect and Luxury Interior Designer, as one of our distinguished guests. Join us as we delve into her journey, insights, and her unique approach to crafting architectural and design narratives that bridge the gaps between different corners of the world, and enrich the lives of those who experience them.
RTF: Hi Tanvi, We are glad to have you as a guest on Future Talks by RTF. Thanks for joining us. Tell us about the progression of your career and what were some hurdles along the way.
Tanvi: Hello,
Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. I did my bachelors in architecture from mumbai university and during my course , I worked at some of the most prestigious conservation offices in Mumbai and New York for my internship. My association with RTF also goes back to 2020, when I authored a few articles and podcast reviews because I truly love reading and writing! After graduating, I worked in Mumbai on uber luxurious residential and commercial spaces. I also started understanding digital marketing and publications for architecture offices. It was during this time that I decided to explore creative business and I applied to University of Arts London, which has a very prestigious Interior Design program. I got shortlisted for their creative business incubator, where I worked on a business idea under the mentorship of some brilliant minds.
My biggest hurdle has to be – overcoming the imposter syndrome, and trying out everything to my best potential, before judging myself.
RTF: Comment on the architectural internship culture in India. What are the areas that require improvement?
Tanvi: My Internship experience was lovely, although I do strongly believe that internships should be monetarily fair, and young architects should have the ability to explore and understand the craft, without the fear of being overworked under the name of “exposure”. Times are changing, and our practices need to adapt to new and fresh ideas that these interns bring to the table. And more importantly – no idea or input should be belittled. Every question and every idea needs to be nurtured and given a chance.
RTF: You have work experience across three beautiful cities – Mumbai, London and New York. How do you look at the contrast in the realm of design business?
Tanvi: I have been really fortunate to work across these beautiful cities and understand various different work styles. Mumbai is home, and its so so fast growing – I am really excited to see the kind of projects designers will get to work on in India, since the market is vast and its only going to get better over the years. London feels like a warm hug on a rainy day (trust me, there are quite a few rainy days there!) the work is more precise, detailed and people definitely spend more time understanding and appreciating the creative process, instead of jumping from concept to execution. New York is quite fast paced too and there’s a lot of diversity when it comes to projects. Everyone is busy and hustling – all the time!
RTF: How important is it for young architects and designers to know the nitty-gritty of aspects related to Publishing, handling media and building an online presence along with the usual part of their job? How challenging it is?
Tanvi: My time at the Creative Business Incubator in London, taught me that our studios cannot become a “brand” without understanding the company values, identity and narrative of the practice. Showcasing work doesn’t really have to mean posting reels and stories on instagram (which is truly an introverts nightmare)! It can mean hosting design lunches with fellow architects or having open houses to make your practice a part of a strong community. As far as online presence is concerned, I feel one should understand Intellectual Property and their creative rights in order to prevent their work from being misused, since everything is so readily available online.
RTF: What advice would you give to emerging architects who are looking to increase their chances of getting their work published? Are there any specific resources or platforms that you would recommend for architects seeking publication opportunities?
Tanvi: I really feel Behance is a great platform to showcase design work. In addition to that, LinkedIn can really help creatives build a community. The one thing I really struggled with was making everything “perfect” before posting it – which I feel is redundant in today’s world. Because of Instagram, Pinterest etc, there’s SO much for us to see on a daily basis, that our appreciation for our ideas tends to get stale faster, and we never end up being satisfied with anything – since we are constantly fed better things to see online all the time
My advice would be to showcase designs regularly and understand your own individual style without falling for the constant need for perfection from multiple sources online.
RTF: How important is a ‘Constantly Learning’ attitude in design and architecture?
Tanvi: My parents are doctors, and I still see them actively go to conferences and meetings every weekend, because there’s no way to grow without constant learning. I feel, 20 years ago, the need to upskill was probably a 5 year thing, but in todays world, especially with AI, BIM etc, it is so important to keep yourself updated. As I mentioned previously, there’s so much data and constant noise around us, new materials, techniques etc. It’s impossible to attract new clientele and churn out fresh ideas without learning constantly and upskilling. When I say constant learning – it doesn’t only mean exploring new software, it also refers to going out and understanding the market, by meeting vendors, contractors, clients.
RTF: What is your process of developing the initial thoughts about a project? How do you start?
Tanvi: I have worked on a few projects post graduation. I tend to follow a design questionnaire, which is curated separately for every client. It helps me understand their vision, ideas and other important lifestyle choices, since I work mostly on residential projects. I’m also really old school when it comes to starting a project – it’s usually just me with my pencil and tracing paper. Sketches and Design Brief points really give me a lot of initial clarity.
RTF: How do you foresee architecture and design to transform in the coming years?
Tanvi: Like all other fields, I feel architecture and design has the capacity to go digital in the next few years. I see a lot of VR walkthroughs, better clarity when it comes to construction timelines and just an overall boost to the speed of product procurement and tracking which is a massive problem for interior designers. I’m really excited to see what the future holds for our field, but I also hope the young architects get to experience the sheer joy sketching and hand modeling brings.
RTF: Who has been your inspiration throughout your architectural journey?
Tanvi: I think my ability to understand people and their emotions helps me a lot. I grew up thinking of it as a weakness, but over time – I have realised that being a good listener enables me to think of things from someone else’s point of view. Which is why, I can easily switch design styles from client to client, without carrying any existing ego or baggage at my end. I borrow a whole lot of inspiration from people’s stories, their daily routines and lifestyle and I actively try to find something extraordinary in the mundane.
RTF: Where does one find you when not working?
Tanvi: Oh, thats a wonderful question! I love exploring museums, street markets, antique shops and I eat lots and lots of dessert when I’m not working! I have also started reading more, since I now have some time post work to learn something new everyday.
