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Kuber Patel

United States of AmericaGenerative

Interviews with Kuber Patel

Read the interviews with Kuber Patel: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Designer of the Day Interview

18 questions

I graduated with a Master of Architecture in Emergent Technologies and Design from the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, and have a total of 5+ years of global professional experience.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

I graduated with a Master of Architecture in Emergent Technologies and Design from the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, and have a total of 5+ years of global professional experience. In addition, I am also a visiting faculty at CEPT University and the author of the book 'Algorithmic Thinking- A parametric approach to problem-solving '. My most recent achievement includes being A' Design Award Winner for Generative, Algorithmic, and Parametric Design Category in 2021 for Darwin Bucky Exhibition Gallery and being accepted to work in the U.S. as an Individual with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement. I strive to achieve my goals by developing high-quality skillsets and sheer passion rather than through experience because of which I am the youngest local architect of the World's Largest Cricket Stadium, the youngest faculty to lead a master studio, and the youngest to start my first project in 2010 much before my undergrad in 2013.

I have worked in Ahmedabad,Gujarat and London, UK and now in Atlanta, USA. We have worked with a diverse group of people like Reliance Industries, Adani, Sopariwala Exports, and Gujarat Cricket Association

How did you become a designer?

I was born into a family of designers and was gradually groomed into having a creative pursuit right from childhood. As any kid, i had several interest in most bizarre professions and it took me time to realise what I was good at and what I am interested in. Since than I have ever looked back!

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

I feel each design project has its own unique challenge. However there few aspects I always like to keep in mind. The design process for me always begins with a clear understanding of clients/project requirements. Accumulation of research and understanding of materiality in order to influence the form along with climatic consideration in order to address sustainability is what goes next. Finally, I try to optimize all that in order to come up with design solutions.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

For every designer the process of designing always begins with a sense of overwhelm. At this stage you are excited and optimistic to the highest level. Following that comes the phase of Sincerity, where you try to find solution, function and rationality to the work. Finally is the feeling of satisfaction. This when you have tried you give do your best, to find the very best of what works as a designer for this project. The fact that your imagination can now be tangible and visually acceptable to everyone makes you humble.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

I like to believe that each aspects can be quantified. These can be rationalised into parameters. In a way, I can break out down any task in do steps and stages. This help be look into more detailed in depth manner. At the same time it helps to simplify the overal complex designs into more simpler form.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

Presently I am interested in pursuing a doctorate in architectural materials through selective laser sintering. I am really fascinated with a particular material called “Vantablack” absorbing up to 99.965% of visible light. His best digital platform to explore is Grasshopper3D a visual programming language and environment due to its parametric potential. I would like to immerse myself in digital fabrication tools like 3D printing and architecture materials developing such arterials.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

I realized that passion should also be inclined towards reality with the constant for financial stability one needs to support one's shelves and family. As well as use it to grow your knowledge by traveling or anything else that makes them inspired. So the young designer must be ready to take up this challenge and live life as it comes!

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

Being up-to-date with the most recent technological advancement related to the field of architecture in order to stay at the top in the present time has now become a very important factor.

What is your day to day look like?

My day begins early at 4:30 usually with a cup of coffee, looking at the stock markets, and worshiping god. At the office, I usually start my day meticulously cleaning my desk and begin with a delegation of work and site visits. The other half of the work is designated for creative and design work. At the end of the office hours, I focus on physical fitness, meal, and early bedtime at around 10 pm.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

I keep up with the latest design trends by teaching. I think being a visiting design faculty has helped me brainstorm to the otherwise very rational and pragmatic design solution that we must do professionally. I think it is very important for every designer to keep up with the latest trends.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

The performance quality of a building is an aspect to judge the design as good or bad. The basics such as daylighting, material usage, and energy consumption should be inspected.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

Requirement are fulfilled, basic performance is statisfied and full team votes for one design

What is your biggest design work?

Bucky has been one of the large design work I have been a part of. Various aspects of this project are quite innovative and the fact that this project might lead to a scope for development in portable deployable temporary structures, makes me quite proud.

Who is your favourite designer?

Some of the architects that I look up to are Frei Otto, Buckminster Fuller, Santiago Calatrava, Kenzo Tange and Zaha Hadid to name a few.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

I love travelling and exploring, and as designer it helps me look at the culture, architecture, city, landscape and lifestyle in a symbiotic manner. It makes my exploration much more fun and exciting. One of my favourite city is Florence, Italy. When I work in the comfort of my home, I like to work with some lightheaded funny sitcoms, they in a way give me company and a sense of coziness. They make me realise that, in this intensively creative work, it okay not to take every bit of my life too seriously when it doesn’t work out sometimes.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

It is actually very subjective, however, this project was teamwork. I was engaged in a major part of designing as form-finding, performance optimization of the project, and fabrication. At KPA, we design everything with heart, intelligence, and skill possessing sensitivity to the highest standard in the profession with concern for the environment for a better tomorrow to the everlasting triumph of human desire and achievements. We provide services in architecture, interior and landscape design, urban planning, and design and build projects. Our design philosophy is taking complete joy in this life as an architect as they strive for a holistic design approach.

The group was founded in 1981 as Kamal Patel & Associates now lead under the flagship partnership company; KPA Deesign Studio with KPA 789°, Nipa Patel Associates and an NGO Nivedita Foundation operating at their good studio in Anand recognized as the Greenest Studio in India. Having its base in Anand, Ahmedabad, London, and Atlanta KPA has executed projects spread in India, the USA, and the UK. Guided by the needs of their clients, culture, context, climate, and resources they generate innovative environments, both material and spiritual. We believe and practice with an understanding that meaningful architecture arises from a synthesis of all the elements that comprise it, its response to the way you move in and around, and its ability to lift the human spirits.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

Knowledge is the greatest form of selfless giving. And I can say that I do my share of sharing whatever I have learnt and experienced in my career by teaching as a visiting faculty in the school of architecture. Apart from this, my family and I have been involved in social worker back in India. Our NGO focuses on education for underprivileged kids and empowerment for girls.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A' Design Award?

I am very grateful to be a part of this award. I feel very humbled by this recognition that is given to me and I hope it opens up opportunities for some great new innovating and inspiring design projects in the future.

Design Interview

Darwin Bucky Exhibition Gallery · 18 questions

Bucky is inspired by Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome. The project is envisioned to be a traveling gallery complemented by its aesthetic architecture for curators to exhibit their work anywhere in the world.

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

Bucky is inspired by Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome. The project is envisioned to be a traveling gallery complemented by its aesthetic architecture for curators to exhibit their work anywhere in the world. One of the major inspirations was to create a gallery that it should be designed for repurposing and can be recycled or deconstructed to minimize unnecessary footprints.

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

The challenge was to construct a typology that works for off-grid areas. The criteria to fit a 10meter span and 6meter height structure into a 6meter container was a difficult task since Bucky was envisioned to be easy to carry around the globe. Adding further, making an open system into a closed system was also a major challenge which was necessary to make the building as watertight as that would ruin the artworks. The windows are designed to have indirect lighting without having rainwater through the opening to protect the painting from any harsh environmental conditions.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

Bucky was designed with the aim of making a traveling gallery that can be transported anywhere in the world in a 6-meter shipping container. Origami was the basic methodology used to figure out the panel folding of the building and with the help of parametric tools, the fabrication was done onsite. As a result, Bucky was able to fit in a container as well as convert itself into a huge 100-square-meter gallery within a matter of days.

How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

Located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The project started in October 2019 and was made open to the public in October 2021.

Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

The design was a direct manifestation of the client's vision who wanted a flat-packed structure in the shape of a geodesic dome inspired by Buckminster Fuller's work.

What made you design this particular type of work?

Overall, my architectural style mostly revolves around Performance orientated design that has a strong response to material, structural, social, and environmental behavior.

Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

The project was influenced by Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome hence, the name Bucky. The lead architect Jwalant Mahadevwala play an instrumental role in helping shape the project coupled with my skills as a Generative, Algorithmic and Parametric Design consultant.

Who is the target customer for his design?

The structure would be leased to any kind of curator wanting to showcase his/her work in a location around the world. Currently, the structure hosts many cultural events and exhibits artworks.

What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

The structure is made using 1mm mild steel spanning a massive 10 meters and 6 meters in height without beams or columns. The Avant grade joinery system makes the structure leakproof and conceals more than 70 percent of the 2800 bolts which is an impossible task to achieve for a component that has naked edges on all four sides as the panels need to be collapsible. The panel size can be easily handled by one person making the assembly extremely efficient.

How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

The project is influenced by a geodesic dome inspired by Buckminster Fuller hence the name Bucky.

Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

Rhino and Grasshopper have been my go-to tools in software as they help me enhance geometrical control over the design. Digital fabrication tools such as metal laser-cutting, robotic sheet folding, and CNC tools also made this project a reality.

What is the most unique aspect of your design?

Galleries is always perceived as a four-walled box. Bucky transforms the way people experience galleries by making the building itself a part of the exhibition. People will interact the same way with the building as they interact with the exhibits inside it.

Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

I collaborated with Abhay Mangaldas and ANDBLACK studio's founder/principal architect Jwalant Mahadevwala. I was the specialist who provided the entire project with Generative, Algorithmic and Parametric Design development fundamental for the project's success.

What is the role of technology in this particular design?

Our design style is influenced more by the process of emergence. With the advancement of computational tools like Generative, Algorithmic, and Parametric Design we now have the ability to look at designs quantitatively rather than qualitatively. The idea is that during the design process we have local-level control over each aspect of the design. Through a parametrically driven model, you have a schematic idea of the final result and the final output is always emergent. Here the design is controlled through criteria and parameters at various scales setting up a process of emergence.

Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

The system evolved from a series of studies done on origami to make the metal sheets rigid through strategic folding. Circular shape of Bucky is a direct representation of Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome which helps with structural performance and the forgiving geometrical form in case of human error during assembly.

What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

The mathematical precision of the bolting joinery between each panel as they rotate along the circumference was successfully executed as we had a parametric model. Since the system had to flat-pack structure design the details in a way to keep the panel have no water seepage was the biggest challenge we faced during design development.

How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

A' Design Award is a very prestigious banner and our company was waiting for the right project that could represent us in an international design competition.

What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

I learned python coding and advance scripting through a platform called Grasshopper3d to develop a precise model leaving zero room for error. This was necessary as all panels had to be planar moving along a curved surface where each panel had to be bolted form all sides.

Design Legend Interview

50 questions

I graduated with a Master of Architecture in Emergent Technologies and Design from the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, and have a total of 5+ years of global professional experience.

Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

I graduated with a Master of Architecture in Emergent Technologies and Design from the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, and have a total of 5+ years of global professional experience. In addition, I am also a visiting faculty at CEPT University and the author of the book 'Algorithmic Thinking- A parametric approach to problem-solving '. My most recent achievement includes being A' Design Award Winner for Generative, Algorithmic, and Parametric Design Category in 2021 for Darwin Bucky Exhibition Gallery and being accepted to work in the U.S. as an Individual with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement. I strive to achieve my goals by developing high-quality skillsets and sheer passion rather than through experience because of which I am the youngest local architect of the World's Largest Cricket Stadium, the youngest faculty to lead a master studio, and the youngest to start my first project in 2010 much before my undergrad in 2013.

I have worked in Ahmedabad,Gujarat and London, UK and now in Atlanta, USA. We have worked with a diverse group of people like Reliance Industries, Adani, Sopariwala Exports, and Gujarat Cricket Association

What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

Every experience from a human’s life is a pursuit for art and design. Inspiration can be found intuitive, observation from nature, geometry and even science.

Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

I was born into a family of designers and was gradually groomed into having a creative pursuit right from childhood. As any kid, i had several interest in most bizarre professions and it took me time to realise what I was good at and what I am interested in. Since than I have ever looked back!

What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

Overall, my architectural style mostly revolves around Performance orientated design that has a strong response to material, structural, social, and environmental behavior. My graduate thesis reflects on a similar system using agent-based methods to work on developing a flood resilient system that has a coherent spatial configuration between climate and the socio-economic fabric of informal settlements in an urban context. In the future, I wish to pursue work in Architectured materials through selective laser sintering techniques.

What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

I think you should have faith in your design and trust your process and growth. Appreciate everything you have learnt from this process and never give up.

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

A Good designer just looks into the work very rationally on how it will fit the clients needs and a great designer sees climatic response and what higher purpose can it serve in the future. A lifespan of a building is long and it can adapt to the changing functionality.

What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

Design is very subjective, what is pleasing to some, might disgust others. Art cannot very be justified and evaluated or even compared. We can just appreciate its beauty as it is.

What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

A good design can serve immense value to the society. It has the applied to transform a city, a home into completely different ways. People seek beauty in everything, nature, jewellery, clothing etc, it seems a good design gives you happiness is all sorts of manner.

What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

If had the time and opportunity, I would like to design the pavilion at the burning man festival and serpentine gallery.

What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?

I am really fascinated with a particular material called “Vantablack” absorbing up to 99.965% of visible light. His best digital platform to explore is Grasshopper3D a visual programming language and environment due to its parametric potential. I would like to immerse myself in digital fabrication tools like 3D printing and architecture materials developing such arterials.

What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

There is no such secret to what we design. I like to look at each project independently and try to the best of my creativity and knowledge.

Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

Some of the architects that I look up to are Frei Otto, Buckminster Fuller, Santiago Calatrava, Kenzo Tange and Zaha Hadid to name a few.

What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

One of the most fascinating design for me is the Olympic roof by Frie Otto due to its innovative use of lightweight structure covering longer span.

What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

My most beloved design is the A’ Design Award-winning project Darwin Bucky “Bucky is a parametric dome tent anchored to the ground which is inspired from a geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller. The structure is made of 1mm thick laser-cut bent metal sheets and bolted together to create an isolated space without columns. Multiple blocks of Bucky can also be linked to create a Bucky cluster. It can be assembled or disassembled in a few days for storage and can be transported via shipping container. Bucky was envisioned to be easy to carry around the globe. Bucky is a lightweight structure. It’s a flat-pack structure that can be used in any season including monsoon."

How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

Being up-to-date with the most recent technological advancement related to the field of architecture in order to stay at the top in the present time has now become a very important factor.

If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?

If I would not have become a designer, I would have become a software engineer due to my inclination towards technology and algorithm in general.

How do you define design, what is design for you?

My skills work best in parametric modeling through algorithmic design techniques using advanced computational tools and digital fabrication. I hope to add more value to design by introducing a more data-driven design process through computer science, mathematical thinking, and philosophy. As we live in a post-digital world, this data, if given the right manifestation, can lead to a well-informed architecture representing a better reality and a responsive future. I would like to add to his design studio a more concise approach to the translation process of architectural representation rather than the invention of a new architecture.

Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

My biggest support is my father, as he is an architect. My dad has been my constant support. He mentors me right from the time I came this profession and even teaches how to sustain in it.

What helped you to become a great designer?

My Exposure to ARchitectural association, London broader my prerspective in designing and innovative,y find solutions like we did at our masters course of Emergent technology in design.

What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

One of the biggest obstacles was Trying to find right kinds of projects to work in that drives my passion. Such projects require positive clients, budget and quantitative time for designing process.

How do you think designers should present their work?

With the advancement of technology designer should present their working with help of augmented and virtual reality tools that are available today.

What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

I am currently invested in an interesting project called the SPUR concept. It consists of diversifying and implementing different facets of community living that combine providing stability and opportunities to its inhabitants like food through vertical farming, rehabilitation, medical care, and other services. It also focuses on providing job opportunities and entrepreneurship.

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

I aspire to learn more about culture all around the world that pushed me to have one landmark project that I get to design in all major city around the world.

What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

Expectations now go beyond just satisfying the needs of the clients, they now expect from us something unique

, innovation in some aspects and that the project shall serve a larger purpose beyond architecture or design.

How does design help create a better society?

If we talk about large scale architectural design complexes, such as cultural centres, educational centres, museums, community century, parks, gardens etc, these are the heart of the city. Amalgamation of Corporate complexes, business centres, and housing units with recreational centres gives good harmony, to various aspects of society.

What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

I am currently invested in an interesting project called the SPUR concept. It consists of diversifying and implementing different facets of community living that combine providing stability and opportunities to its inhabitants like food through vertical farming, rehabilitation, medical care, and other services. It also focuses on providing job opportunities and entrepreneurship.

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

Any projects that comes into realisation gives me equal satisfaction

What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

I think architects as professional are undermined in the construction industry. The amount of work, efforts and creativity that is invested by an architect for the project is hugely under-paid relative to the other professionals involved for a construction project. Globally, the average pay scale of an architect is bare minimum in comparison to the amount for education, work is to in

Where do you think the design field is headed next?

Designs nowadays have become interdisciplinary. The more use of scientific methods, computational methods, advanced digital fabrication, AR, and VR technologies have evolved the design field. In the future, the designs will sustain singularity. With the advancement of technologies, the design will evolve in real-time not just during the design phase but right through construction.

How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

It usually depends on the scale of the project and the complexity involved in it. However, I can say it’s up to 1-2 weeks of conceptualizing and designing.

When you have a new design project, where do you start?

The design process for me always begins with a clear understanding of clients/project requirements. Accumulation of research and understanding of materiality in order to influence the form along with climatic consideration in order to address sustainability is what goes next. Finally, I try to optimize all that in order to come up with design solutions.

What is your life motto as a designer?

Always be cost-effective while maintaining a certain aesthetic value through form, scale, proportions, and materiality.

Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

This is a very debatable topic but personally design sets the trends.

What is the role of technology when you design?

Our design style is influenced more by the process of emergence. The advancement of computational tools like Generative, Algorithmic and Parametric Design we now have ability to look at designs quantitatively rather than qualitatively. The idea is that during the design process we have local-level control over each aspect of the design. Through a parametrically driven model, you have a schematic idea of the final result and the final output is always emergent. Here the design is controlled through criteria and parameters at various scales setting up a process of emergence.

What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

Rhino and Grasshopper have been my go-to tools in software as they help me enhance geometrical control over the design.

What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

All these aspects governs how the architecture appeals to them. The role of Color is to stimulate different moods, the role of material is that it adds tangibility to our design, and ambience of a space controls visibility influences all our senses.

What do you wish people to ask about your design?

I really wish people would ask me quantitative aspects of my design rather than the qualitative aspects.

When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

How was it built? why was it built? What are the reasons behind the use of material use?

Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

I learned that it is important to identify the different skill sets and strengths of each team member in order to get the best out of the project. It is actually very subjective, however, this project was teamwork. I was engaged in a major part of designing as form-finding, performance optimization of the project, and fabrication.

Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

Clients have the most influence on my design.

Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

‘Growth and form’ by D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson are one of the books I am quite intrigued to read it often.

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

Religious practise of tools and skills and day to day professional experience help me have better control over my design.

Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

I’ll like sit with Neri Oxman. I’ll like to say to her that I am really intrigued about her work and that I could be a part of her project where she is brings singularity in design

How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

I am very grateful to be a part of this award. I feel very humbled by this recognition that is given to me and I hope it opens up opportunities for some great new innovating and inspiring design projects in the future.

What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

My favourite Color is blue, food is Dalbatti and my favourite city is Florence.

I love Spring the most. I like cars and I admire Nike as a brand.

Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

One of thing most designer often hear from clients is that our work is an Easy task.

One time a clients asked me justification for the work I’ve done by stating that “ why would you charge such hefty fees for such simple plan?”

What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

A great day is when I am able to achieve all my days targets that I set for myself and have less creative blockage during designing tasks. When I do stuck during designing, I simply stop working and given myself a break by cleaning my desk and sleeping over it and and sometimes even stress eating.

When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

It wasn’t obvious that I would become a designer when I was a child because I lacked in the basic essential of being good at sketching as a designer.

What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

With advancement of AI and 3D construction I think it would be as quick as printing out on a paper. Materials we use today will than have the capabilities of being manipulated by changing it’s properties and structure behaviour as per the needs of the design

Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

Good luck to all the new designers. It’s never to late. I can always be available through email for any collaboration and innovative design prospects worldwide. I think in this digital era, collaboration are possible with anyone and everywhere.

I am currently based in Atlanta, USA, and have ventures in India as well.

Designer Interview

39 questions

I was born into a family of designers and was gradually groomed into having a creative pursuit right from childhood.

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

I was born into a family of designers and was gradually groomed into having a creative pursuit right from childhood. I graduated with a Master of Architecture in Emergent Technologies and Design from the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, and have a total of 5+ years of global professional experience. In addition, I am also a visiting faculty at CEPT University and the author of the book 'Algorithmic Thinking- A parametric approach to problem-solving '. My most recent achievement includes being A' Design Award Winner for Generative, Algorithmic, and Parametric Design Category in 2021 for Darwin Bucky Exhibition Gallery and being accepted to work in the U.S. as an Individual with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement. I strive to achieve my goals by developing high-quality skillsets and sheer passion rather than through experience because of which I am the youngest local architect of the World's Largest Cricket Stadium, the youngest faculty to lead a master studio, and the youngest to start my first project in 2010 much before my undergrad in 2013.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

Under the blue sky anywhere on this planet, at KPA, we design everything with heart, intelligence, and skill possessing sensitivity to the highest standard in the profession with concern for the environment for a better tomorrow to the everlasting triumph of human desire and achievements. We provide services in architecture, interior and landscape design, urban planning, and design and build projects. Our design philosophy is taking complete joy in this life as an architect as they strive for a holistic design approach.

The group was founded in 1981 as Kamal Patel & Associates now lead under the flagship partnership company; KPA Deesign Studio with KPA 789°, Nipa Patel Associates and an NGO Nivedita Foundation operating at their good studio in Anand recognized as the Greenest Studio in India. Having its base in Anand, Ahmedabad, London, and Atlanta KPA has executed projects spread in India, the USA, and the UK. Guided by the needs of their clients, culture, context, climate, and resources they generate innovative environments, both material and spiritual. We believe and practice with an understanding that meaningful architecture arises from a synthesis of all the elements that comprise it, its response to the way you move in and around, and its ability to lift the human spirits.

What is "design" for you?

My skills work best in parametric modeling through algorithmic design techniques using advanced computational tools and digital fabrication. I hope to add more value to design by introducing a more data-driven design process through computer science, mathematical thinking, and philosophy. As we live in a post-digital world, this data, if given the right manifestation, can lead to a well-informed architecture representing a better reality and a responsive future. I would like to add to his design studio a more concise approach to the translation process of architectural representation rather than the invention of a new architecture.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

Overall, my architectural style mostly revolves around Performance orientated design that has a strong response to material, structural, social, and environmental behavior. My graduate thesis reflects on a similar system using agent-based methods to work on developing a flood resilient system that has a coherent spatial configuration between climate and the socio-economic fabric of informal settlements in an urban context. In the future, I wish to pursue work in Architectured materials through selective laser sintering techniques.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

My most beloved design is the A’ Design Award-winning project Darwin Bucky “Bucky is a parametric dome tent anchored to the ground which is inspired from a geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller. The structure is made of 1mm thick laser-cut bent metal sheets and bolted together to create an isolated space without columns. Multiple blocks of Bucky can also be linked to create a Bucky cluster. It can be assembled or disassembled in a few days for storage and can be transported via shipping container. Bucky was envisioned to be easy to carry around the globe. Bucky is a lightweight structure. It’s a flat-pack structure that can be used in any season including monsoon."

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

The first thing I designed for a company was to develop a nomination dossier for INTACH-Delhi Chapter. The project has been submitted to UNESCO for nominating Delhi as a world heritage city.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

My favorite material is Vantablack claimed to be the “world's darkest material”, absorbing up to 99.965% of visible light. His best digital platform to explore is Grasshopper3D a visual programming language and environment due to its parametric potential. I would like to immerse myself in digital fabrication tools like 3D printing and architecture materials developed through laser sintering technology.

When do you feel the most creative?

I feel most creative when I get a client who challenges my potential and trusts me to deliver their vision. I believe a visionary client who is sensitive to the local community, culture, and environment drives the project beyond design.

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

I focus on the building performance keeping in mind all its environmental factors. Moreover, my top most priority is client’s ethos that incorporates understanding all their social and cultural requirements.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

I treat every design like a kid that needs constant nurturing until project completion.

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

I feel fortunate about the fact that I was capable enough to manifest my client's vision into reality.

What makes a design successful?

A good team that focuses on the tiniest details throughout the course of the project that results in repeat clients is what we call design success.

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

The performance quality of a building is an aspect to judge the design as good or bad. The basics such as daylighting, material usage, and energy consumption should be inspected.

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

Being responsible towards society and the environment is our focus through design by making them as utilitarian as possible while maintaining their aesthetic value.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

Designs nowadays have become interdisciplinary. The more use of scientific methods, computational methods, advanced digital fabrication, AR, and VR technologies have evolved the design field. In the future, the designs will sustain singularity. With the advancement of technologies, the design will evolve in real-time not just during the design phase but right through construction.

When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

As an architect by profession we don’t have exhibits, however as an academicians and the faculty for Master’s in Architecture, Algorithmic thinking, my course works was published and exhibits at the university last year.

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

The advancement of computational tools like Generative, Algorithmic and Parametric Design we now have ability to look at designs quantitatively rather than qualitatively.

How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?

Our design style is influenced more by the process of emergence. The idea is that during the design process we have local-level control over each aspect of the design. Through a parametrically driven model, you have a schematic idea of the final result and the final output is always emergent. Here the design is controlled through criteria and parameters at various scales setting up a process of emergence.

Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

Cultural heritage of the country does affect the design. It will speak louder if it respects the cultural context. One of the pro during designing keeping in mind cultural heritage is essentially it adds a good start point to your approach rather than inventing new architecture. Though the cons is that following the heritage of your country can even add lot of restrictions and make the design process rigid to explore.

How do you work with companies?

We work with companies in a more collaborative process where client is involved in each stage of design.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

I think companies should choose a designer or architect on the bases of its merits and design quality rather than their infrastructure such as the scale of the architectural firm etc. At the end of the day, it may open doors for new talents and opportunities.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

The design process for me always begins with a clear understanding of clients/project requirements. Accumulation of research and understanding of materiality in order to influence the form along with climatic consideration in order to address sustainability is what goes next. Finally, I try to optimize all that in order to come up with design solutions.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

Most Apple products are something I feel are very appealing, the office desk that he got a chance to design and build like a little form-finding experiment; I call it seamless, and our family travel wall that elaborately summarizes different cultures and shapes of the travel dishes all together into a mural, Pichwai painting represents art and historical eras of Lord Krishna.

Can you describe a day in your life?

My day begins early at 4:30 usually with a cup of coffee, looking at the stock markets, and worshiping god. At the office, I usually start my day meticulously cleaning my desk and begin with a delegation of work and site visits. The other half of the work is designated for creative and design work. At the end of the office hours, I focus on physical fitness, meal, and early bedtime at around 10 pm.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

I realized that passion should also be inclined towards reality with the constant for financial stability one needs to support one's shelves and family. As well as use it to grow your knowledge by traveling or anything else that makes them inspired.

A proper work-life balance is also very crucial which I think is quite difficult in a creatively inclined profession.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

Positive: Being an architect/ designer helps you be a part of manifesting others' vision. We as architects are able to represent cultures and society.

Negative: The profession blossoms late in terms of being “finding your design style and financial success” as they say.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Always be cost-effective while maintaining a certain aesthetic value through form, scale, proportions, and materiality.

What skills are most important for a designer?

Being up-to-date with the most recent technological advancement related to the field of architecture in order to stay at the top in the present time has now become a very important factor.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

Rhino and Grasshopper have been my go-to tools in software as they help me enhance geometrical control over the design. ‘Growth and form’ by D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson are one of the books I am quite intrigued to read it often.

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

Well, I still juggle in trying to manage my time when it come to the designing phase of any project. However, I try time bound technique at each stages of design in order to avoid delays.

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

It usually depends on the scale of the project and the complexity involved in it. However, I can say it’s up to 1-2 weeks of conceptualizing and designing.

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

Most often I am asked about the project cost considering construction, and how much time will the project take for execution. I am also asked whether I have experience in a similar style of a project base.

What was your most important job experience?

I learned that it is important to identify the different skill sets and strengths of each team member in order to get the best out of the project.

Who are some of your clients?

We have worked with a diverse group of people like Reliance Industries, Adani, Sopariwala Exports, and Gujarat Cricket Association.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

I am mostly drawn to generative design and digital fabrication. This is because they help me look at a design in a more pragmatic manner. This kind of design technique gives a designer better control over manufacturing accuracy in the early stages of the design process. It relatively reduces the time and gives one the ability to create feedback between construction analytics and design form in real-time.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

Presently I am interested in pursuing a doctorate in architectural materials through selective laser sintering.

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

It is actually very subjective, however, this project was teamwork. I was engaged in a major part of designing as form-finding, performance optimization of the project, and fabrication.

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

I am currently invested in an interesting project called the SPUR concept. It consists of diversifying and implementing different facets of community living that combine providing stability and opportunities to its inhabitants like food through vertical farming, rehabilitation, medical care, and other services. It also focuses on providing job opportunities and entrepreneurship.

How can people contact you?

I can always be available through email for any collaboration and innovative design prospects worldwide. I think in this digital era, collaboration are possible with anyone and everywhere.

I am currently based in Atlanta, USA, and have ventures in India as well.

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The design interview data shown in our design interview page with Kuber Patel regarding Darwin Bucky Exhibition Gallery comes from the Design Interviews platform, where leading designers, architects and brands are interviewed regarding their award-winning designs, products and projects.