Insider
IIID Charotar Centre Chairman Prof. Pradeep
How did you get into the world of Design?
We have a family business in Furnishing & Turnkey Interiors since 1972 in Vallabh Vidyanagar. I lead our Design and Project Team at COMFY INTERIORS since its inception, serving the region for the last 42 years.
What helps you to get your creative energies going?
Comfy always sells smiles and our team puts 100 % effort in converting customer’s dream into reality through our ergonomic design and quality workmanship plus 100 % customer satisfaction. We do not believe in the praises of lips and scripts of testimonials but the Glitter in the eyes of our users experiencing the bliss of comforts of our ergonomically designed Furniture and ambience – as there is no scientific devise to calibrate human Comfort Level (Smile)!
What was your most memorable or Eureka moment?
In 1992 I was invited by the founder Director of APIED Architect College (www.apied,edu.in) Ar. Suryakant Patel to design a curriculum for a 5 year certificate course of Interior Design and teach Furniture Design in the College of Architecture from its pioneer batch in 1992. I have been devoting 2 days in a week by walking out of my busy schedule at COMFY and have been teaching in Design Institutes for the last 23 years. I am the Hon. Director of Shantaben Manubhai Patel School of Research and Studies in Architecture and Interior Design (wwwsmaid_eduin) since its inception in 2012.
How long has your Association been with the IIID?
I was probably the first IIID Member in Mumbai from Gujarat in the early ’90s and have attended all the National Conventions and important events to date and had the privilege of meeting various leading designers of the country and abroad.
How has your association with IIID changed your life?
IIID has been a very vital platform for me to widen my perception of Design and innovation through interaction with various legends and exposure through Exhibition, Seminars and Workshops. IIID has been a boon to me to connect our design students (Architect & Interior Design) to participate in various events at NATCONs and other IIID events. The Design fraternity and Trade members of –MD CRC have always supported various events in our College.
How have you juggled your work schedule with your duties as Chapter Chairperson?
IIID Charotar was always my dream since 1998 when Ar. Rajesh Patel was the President. We had toiled, doing the initial spade work to initiate a Center in Anand – which ultimately materialized in 2009 when I was Vice Chairman. I have been the Chairman for the last 2 tenures 2010 – 2014. I have always managed my time, devoting equal priority for my bread and butter COMFY, Academics, IIID plus my family and Social responsibility; as all these responsibilities have elevated me to a deserving position to lead through Team Spirit!
In your considered opinion, what is the advantage of being an IIIDian and how can a Member get maximum benefit by being part of this organization?
My exposure and connectivity through the IIID network has enhanced my grid in sourcing resources from across the nation, which helps me in my business, professional and academic career. Every IIID member would certainly benefit in spreading their wings in their profession and business through connectivity of all stake holders of the Building Industry on One Single Vital Platform.
What do you feel is the relevance of Chapter exchange programs and how can a Member from your chapter connect with a member from another chapter?
I personally feel that this is a missing link in IIID. This is probably the reason why small centers are victims and the IIID needs to focus and make some concrete policies to encourage, share and optimize resources through exchange programs to encourage cohesion among various centers/chapters and to avoid unhealthy competition.
If a member from the Hyderabad Chapter is interested in getting in touch with your Chapter, can you give us the names and contact details of a few Point persons?
We would be more than happy to offer Charotar Hospitality 7×24! I am always a phone call away anytime ( + 91 99250 27777).
What is the specialty of your region/ state? Tell us about innovations in design – in Building styles and interior design of your particular Region/State.
Charotar is the cradle of Co Operatives -the AMUL model is a proven Asia Pacific Brand. It is a very fertile agriculture belt with a strong NRI influence which has enhanced the lifestyle of the region. Charotar is an educational hub with vigorous and healthy Industrial and Institutional growth. We have 3 Architecture Colleges and 9 Engineering Colleges in our region (Nearly 5 lacs students in Charotar).
Insider: What styles and touches do you view as uniquely Indian and thus worth preserving?
Charotar has a very rich regional heritage with buildings and monuments and temples which need to be documented. Team IIID CRC has initiated this project in collaboration with all important stake holders and educational institutes.
Insider: How would you describe your signature style? How do you create thoughtful and meaningful interiors? How much is your design style anchored to the vernacular Context?
‘Charotar’ means GOLD LEAVES – fertile soil and prosperity of gold (Tobacco). Our mission is to improve quality of life style by providing affordable comforts to every citizen of Charotar and create employment opportunities to budding designers and local regional Arts and Crafts.
Are you concerned about environmental and social sustainability in your buildings/ Design? What role does Green building play into your work?
Charotar has maximum density of Trees in Gujarat. We are quite vigilant about preserving our environment and Nature. IIID can play a pivotal role in creating awareness and guiding the authorities in planning and implementation in Urban Design. Vidya Nagar is a Green and Clean Education Campus with 90,000 students in a radius of 5 Kms.
Do you have a particular visual language or material palette?
NATURE (Brahma) is the best design inspiration!
Which of the emerging trends in the industry do you think is most feasible and productive for the Indian design industry?
Space optimizing and providing conducive environment for enhancing work efficiency and ergonomically designed modular furniture to cater to flexibility and time saving for installation and wire management.
As a Designer how does your personal ethic or sense of spirituality/ creativity permeate into your project?
Work is Worship is my Mantra!!
Contact: Prof. Pradeep Patel
Ph: +91 99250 27777
Email: pradeep@comfyinteriors.com