Well designed spaces have positive impact on well being: Fernandes

PANJIM: Margao-based Architect Savio Fernandes has been in the business for over a decade. In an interview with the Herald, SAVIO FERNANDES, spoke about the realty business, his role and his future plans. Excerpts of  the interview.

HERALD: What kind of projects do you specialise in?

SAVIO FERNANDES: I have already done several projects in the hospitality, residential and commercial segments. From early 2015 I will have also started with providing interior design solutions for builders in Goa. Given the tough market conditions, builders are looking for innovative ways of providing maximum bang for their buck. 

I also intend to provide fully furnished ready to move in apartments and villas in Goa. This concept does exist, but in the ultra-premium segment. What I intend to do is, bring this concept within the grasp of the middle class. This means that anyone who moves into the city or in Goa needs to come only with their suitcases. Rest of all the amenities from furniture to a functional kitchen including appliances will be provided. 

HERALD: Do architects normally do turnkey projects?

SF: Architects who have the infrastructure prefer to do turnkey projects as it helps maintain control over converting ideas into reality. Very often, if it is not a turnkey project, I get paired with individuals who might not be skilled enough in their profession and the end product does not meet my design expectations. If I have my own team, they are accustomed to my style of functioning and I know their strengths and weaknesses and this greatly helps in reducing mistakes on site -- thereby reducing costs for the client and I also get satisfaction with the end product.

HERALD: Are people in Goa open to the idea of architects doing the entire project? Or do they have preference and options?

SF: Increasingly people in Goa are opting for architects to provide end-to-end services. It is probably because an architect is the first in the chain of professionals to convert a space into a construction product. An architect conceptualizes, and if the idea cannot be implemented, then starts the blame game. So people prefer to have one person responsible who can be held accountable.

HERALD: Does it cost the client more?

SF: In reality turnkey projects cost less. People usually do not calculate the cost of mistakes. Breaking and redoing things on site cost more than double the cost of doing things right the first time. Also a well-coordinated project saves a lot of time and time inadvertently gets converted to costs for the end client.

HERALD: How is the Goa market doing?

SF: Overall compared to 3 to 4 years back there has been a slowdown, probably because of the closure of the mining industry. Now the market has shifted to need based purchases rather than for investment purposes. This effect is probably exaggerated in North Goa but the effect in South Goa is marginal. The land prices in and around Margao have appreciated in the last couple of years.

HERALD: What are the problems faced by this industry?

SF: There are a few problems that the industry faces. The perennial problem of passing of various projects at different stages in the government is very cumbersome. An important aspect is that the city is expanding but this expansion or its infrastructure is not planned properly. This monsoon the sewage owerflowed into one of my projects and the stench was unbearable. Every second day we have roads dug at different places for different reasons hampering our work. Just like in construction if we plan, execute and complete our infrastructure projects properly, we will save on time, problems and money

Also there are shortfalls in the supply of materials and the quality isn’t getting any better.

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

SF: All infracturstructure related government departments (Health, Town Planning, Forest, PWD, Sewage, etc) are all functioning disjointly. Government should consider having a centralised body for all construction related activity. This would avoid a lot of problems, that I have mentioned earlier.

HERALD: What is your USP?

SF: Architects tend to see spaces better than lay people. It is a well documented fact that well designed spaces have a positive impact on a person’s well being. Providing the best design within all the constriants is what I take pride in.

Also, over the years I have developed and refined my methodology for projects. This helps to organize the workflow in a process driven method. This does not leave any aspect to chance which leaves both me and the client happy. I have around 90% repeat clientele.