Leaders

The scope of Architecture is way more widespread than its appearance. IIt includes knowledge of thesubject matter, negotiation skills, innovative ideas, understanding client's requirements, nature of the site & most important entrepreneurial skills. Leveraging her entrepreneurial skills Archana S Relekarestablished Archana and Chetan Architects along with BG Chetan in 2014. Firm is also known as Arche Architects, currently located in Bangalore.

Archana is a graduate in B. Arch from B.V.B.C.E.T. Hubli and additionally has four years of working experience in a renowned Architectural firm with the total experience of 12 years. as on to-day. It's her motive to create a structure that stands true to its nature, is functional, and proves comfortable to the user.

Women Entrepreneur recently engaged with Archana, Princi-pal Architect, Archana and Chetan Architects to know about her journey and all the works she has put in to be where she is. Read the following highlights from the interaction.

Give us a brief about Archana & Chetan Architects. Give us a brief about your educational journey and prior industry experience.

Architecture is a highly innovative field where nature is an all-time inspiration and requires the freshness of ideas and styles. Archana ; Chetan Architects also known as Arche Architects came into being in the year 2014 with a vision of creating designs that are unique and original. The firm designs all scales and all types of projects as well as take every project as a challenge to showcase our innovative ideas to produce an infrastructure depicting a perfect blend of knowledge, requirements, client's taste, and nature of site within a given budget.

During my childhood, I used to make small mud houses and used to explore my creativity through sketching and building paintings. I got fascinated by architecture when I saw my friend's sister making physical models for her architectural projects this gave more clarity to  my career goal and I decided to pursue Architecture gave more clarity to my career goal and I de-cided to pursue Architecture for which my family has supported a lot.

How did your entrepreneurial journey begin? What are the roles and responsibilities that you shoulder as the founder of Archana & Chetan Architects and how do you overcome the challenges?

I did my internship at VBT Consortium a renowned architectural firm in Bangalore for four months where I got an insight into the subject after that I worked for 4 years in Gayathri & Namith architects on all scales and categories of the project which added a lot of confidence in me. During that time, I met Chetan who is a principal Interior Designer in Archana & Chetan Architects and has been a great support to the firm with his technical & execution capabilities.

Being an architect requires a set of skills. It is not just restricted to designing but also requires communication skills, technical understanding of making the possible design, understanding client requirements, challenging site conditions, keeping updated with the new finish-es,market rates and a lot more technicalities.

In the year 2014, we established the firm with mini-mum savings and investments but never let our speed and quality of work come down. The challenges were to build contacts, learn the business aspects from ground level, and build our credentials.  we satisfy our clients with the precision & quality we define through our works.

As a creative person, where do you draw your inspiration from?

For me, Nature is the all time inspiration. Creativity is unlimited and fresh, and I don't see any kind of repetition of design on paper every time I think of creating. Our firm believes in creating a designthat sets its style, which stands true to its nature and is functional, soothing, safe, comfortable, and where the user can create unlimited memories.

"Success is a day-to- day affair filled with challenges and Excitement, we have to be clear with what are we doing and why are we doing which gives clarity on how to do it"

What have been the most significant milestones that you have achieved so far? What has been the driving force behind your illustrious professional journey?

We have successfully completed 100+projects & 45+ ongoing projects We are focusing on bringing sustainable green building concepts to incorporate into our projects and making it possible on a large scale. Some of the driving forces which inspire me & our firmis Being not satisfied till you are 100 percent satisfied even if client says ok which leads to go one step,  Customization, to keep budget challenges maintained, and to stay in tune with market up-gradation.

As a successful business leader, what would you like to suggest to young girls and women who are aspiring to be future leaders in this domain?

Success is a day-to-day affair filled with joy and excitement, but we are supposed to be very clear with what and why are we doing to get clarity on how to do it. The right intention will always lead us to the right path which gives us the courage to face challenges and never give up.

Archana S Relekar, Principal Architect, Archana &Amp; Chetan Architects

Archana is the creative brain of the firm, designing structures in a unique style and Maximum perfection, satisfying the requirements of the user. Her goal is to design the projects which compliments what's within & around it, be functional & set it's own new style. As a Principal Architect of Arche Architects, Archana is following her passion for developing dream structures, dream projects.

Educational Qualification: B. Arch

Awards and Recognition:

• Pidilite Award for Excellence

• Best in class Modern & Customized Interior solution provider award @ Eldrok India Architecture Award 2021

• Speaker @ Eldrok India Architecture Award 2021 summit

• Architect's WOW award 2022 by Global business reconnect