AMIT SARDESSAI: We specialize in hospitality, designer real-estate and restoration of Portuguese houses.
HERALD: How aware are people in Goa of architecture?
AS: A well traveled Goan is perfectly aware of the professional services that a good architecture firm can provide, but unfortunately the inverse is equally true.
HERALD: Is there any difference between clientele for homes and corporate clientele?
AS: Corporate clients generally work with fixed budgets and timelines and are able to complete work in a relatively systematic manner. Our office specializes in providing basic project management services to individual home builders at no extra charge thus shielding them from delays and inflation.
HERALD: How is the Goa market doing?
AS: Our practice has steadily grown and going from strength to strength owing to our quality and commitment. Therefore recession if any have not affected us.
HERALD: Has there been any impact of the slowdown?
AS: The mining ban in general has affected small and medium real estate developers who have accumulated inventory in unplanned manner. But from a customer point of view, genuine buyers offering favorable payment terms may get special bulk discounts on their purchases if they negotiate well.
HERALD: What are the problems faced by this industry?
AS: The practice of architecture suffers from lack of structured basic minimum pricing (fees) for various genre of projects such as commercial, residential, hospitality, etc. In the bargain generally younger architects suffer often getting disillusioned and frustrated.
HERALD: What can the government do to improve the situation?
AS: There are statuary bodies like COA and local help groups like IIA who can do a lot in this regard. Government has no jurisdiction and that allows architects to discharge their duties freely and fiercely.
HERALD: What is your USP?
AS: Quality, innovation and knowledge updation I would think keeps us ahead.
