Keen on single-window clearance: Pai Raikar

HERALD: For how long have you been in business?

SACHEEN PAI RAIKAR: I graduated from the Goa College of Architecture in 1993. After apprenticing with architects in Goa and Mumbai, I set up practice in 1995.

HERALD: Name a few projects you are proud of and why?

SPR: Though it is a difficult task to choose favourites between our projects, we do feel proud of the work we have put in for Tito’s Club group, Baga from 2002 till 2011; Interventions at Colgate (franchise manufacturing) Factories in Kundaim from 2000-2006; Opthalmology Hospital in Navi Mumbai for Dr Suresh Ramchandani in 2006-07; Offices for the Fomento Group from 2007 till date; Boutique Resort in Saligao (www.shantimorada.com) and a recent building we have completed for Pradip Joshi in Mapusa.

HERALD: How aware are people in Goa of the importance of architecture?

SPR: Most of our clientele are well educated professionals themselves and we sometimes find it a bit difficult to keep up with their wish list, especially when they are well-travelled. Awareness amongst our Goan clients is well-balanced, though it can get a little restrictive when clients are unwilling to adopt or adapt to new design concepts.

HERALD: Is there any difference between clientele for homes and corporate clientele in this respect?

SPR: Yes. In corporate jobs, the decision making process is purely hierarchical, and structured with closure on most aspects being easier. In private jobs, decision making is spread across the entire household and inputs on design concepts are more inclusive. Revisions in concepts are always a contention in all types of jobs.

HERALD: How is the Goa market doing? Has there been any impact of the slowdown or mining ban?

SPR: Our portfolio is mostly filled with private clients and corporate clients who have not yet been affected by prevailing market conditions. I do admit a slowdown in new projects getting concluded as clients would prefer to wait and watch before committing to investing into a new project. With things looking up in the entire country, the sentiment is upbeat and we hope the effects reach the real estate industry soonest.

HERALD: What are the problems faced by this industry?

SPR: As Architects, every project presents its own specific bag of troubles, be it site conditions or material shortage or labour. To add to that every project is left open to public opinion on every aspect, even if it is a private building.

If contending with government departments and compliances is not enough, general lack of skilled labour or qualified contractors prevent us from achieving higher standards set by our clients. Norms for qualifying to provide a certain service are very basic, and educational qualifications in skilled set of labour is practically non-existent. Any service provider has to be accepted due to lack of choice.

Though Goa presents itself as a “lower than Tier 3 region” for most companies as far as quantum of sales is concerned, what these same companies should note is that the Quality of commodities expected and transacted in Goa far over-rides a lot of Tier 1 or 2 regions. It is a given that most clients prefer to go out of state for material selection and it does present a logistical upgrade for us.

HERALD: What can the government do to improve the situation?

SPR: Most projects, of any scale, comprises of a team which includes the client or builder, architect, consultants of all services, contractors and labour. There has been a long outstanding request for a statute of regulations under which every skill set has its own norms and pre-requisites for qualifying for different tiers of works. ie contractors should have minimum standards of equipment and labour, along with minimum experience to qualify for a certain tier of project. This should be a strictly enforced statute, and records should be available for all potential clients to select from. We eagerly await such statutes.

Most infrastructure projects mooted by the government relies on expertise from out of state. If the government were to include local architects in the planning process, it will only create a panel of architects who will have acquired the required expertise through this interaction and exposure. This will help in encouraging local talent and give the State an enviable panel of experts to choose from.

We also look forward to the single-window clearance for development, which will hopefully happen soon.

HERALD: What is your USP?

SPR: We believe that the quality of service that we provide, the level of commitment to any project, regardless of the size, and the sensitivity to a clients’ wish-list has proven to be our USP, given the extensive portfolio we have accumulated over the years.