When you have two generations, and three very unique design minds sitting together, the energy is magical. This must happen on a routine basis in the Shroff household and we were lucky to be able to grab a snippet of this vibrancy when we spent five minutes with Rumy , Kayzad and Rooshad Shroff. Rumy Shroff & Associates provides consultancy on architecture and interior design and has been creating beautiful spaces since 1971, including spaces for clients like Reliance, UB Group, Bajaj and others. Kayzad and Rooshad have followed in their father’s steps to become brilliant architects in their own right. To celebrate Father’s Day, here’s what the trio had to say.

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Kayzad Shroff



What was your first experience with design?

When we were quite young, our house was being constructed so I’d often go and play with the carpenters. One of them gave me this small, three-piece puzzle which I’ve kept with me and has actually been used in some of my designs.



What was the greatest lesson you ever learnt?

If you don’t follow up things don’t get done



How would you describe your sense of design?

Modern



Aurelia, Residential-Farmhouses by SHROFFLEON



What habits do you wish you could pick up from your father?

His discipline



What quality do you admire most in your father?

His sense of integrity



How had design and the appreciation for design changed in India over the past few years?

I think on one hand you have more awareness because of the different forums that are available to us. However, on the other hand, I don’t know if the general public is aware of what design is and whether they have an appreciation for it.

What is one space you wish you had worked on?

It was actually one of my own projects that didn’t work out. This luxury, high-rise building where every floor was different, every room had a balcony, Jacuzzi on every floor, etc.



What is one design trend you wish never emerged?

Postmodern.



Who would be your dream collaborator?

MVRDV



Are you more vintage or modern?

Modern



How daring are you with your designs? Or do you enjoy convention?

I would like to say daring, most of the time we propose a design that the client gets shocked by which he then tones down.



The last book you read?

Norwegian Wood by Japanese author Haruki Murakami.



What inspires you?

People.



How do you channel your creativity? Do you need anything particular around you? (music, light, etc.)

I need a lot of stuff happening around me. This helps me focus somehow.



If you weren’t doing what you do, what would you be doing?

Maybe something in the hospitality business.



What are the three things we’ll find on your desk?

Post-its, a cup of coffee and my iPad.



What are your three favourite places to travel?

Cadiz, Goa and Sikkim.



What are your travel essentials?

Underwear.



A project you’ve worked on that remains close to your heart?

The first beach house that I worked on.



A piece of advice you would give someone starting up in your space?

Don’t give up



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Rooshad Shroff



What was your first experience with design?

Being brought up in a family of architects, I’d say our initiation into the design world was at a young age. Whether we were at home, traveling, visiting dad’s office or going to an art gallery, my father always made it a point to have the design around us.



What was the greatest design lesson you ever learnt?

When it comes to design, I've realised that the journey never ends. You can keep working on something and improving it. We often complete projects because of timelines but there is no such thing as something being absolutely complete. You can always improve upon something, the design is an evolution like that.





Christian Louboutin Flagship Store in Mumbai by Rooshad Shroff



How would you describe your sense of design?

As my practice is quite young at only five years, I think it’s too early to have a pre-designed style or aesthetic. I do have a very particular approach to how I work which involves constant investigation into materials and concepts and is very process driven.



What habits do you wish you could pick up from your father?

His sense of integrity, his punctuality and his dedication to the profession.



What quality do you admire most in your father?

His stubbornness.



How has design and the appreciation for design changed in India over the past few years?

Even in just the past five years, I’m seeing people become much more aware of design. The design is still a very nascent industry in India but people are becoming more house proud and are spending more time and money on design. More than just home design, there is a holistic shift toward better design be it in graphics or even packaging. The access to social media has also helped people become more aware and find a deeper appreciation for design.

What is one space you wish you had worked on?

There’s one building I absolutely love, the 11 11 parking garage in Miami on Lincoln Road. It’s such a simple building but so incredibly beautiful.The part of the aesthetic, it’s also a very important building. It completely transformed that neighbourhood and has become such a huge part of the community. People rent out this parking garage for weddings and events!



What is one design trend you wish never emerged?

The idea of design trends.



Who would be your dream collaborator?

Zaha Hadid who I’ve worked with, though it would be nice to collaborate with her



Are you more vintage or modern?

Modern



How daring are you with your designs? Or do you enjoy convention?

I would hope to believe that I am daring.



The last book you read?

I’ve stopped reading for a long time sadly. I don’t even remember. I rushed through Invisible Cities last month which I’ve read before years ago.



What inspires you?

There’s no one particular thing that is a source of inspiration however travel is huge. Art is another big reference point for me as are movies.



How do you channel your creativity? Do you need anything particular around you? (music, light, etc.)

Lots of coffee.



If you weren’t doing what you do, what would you be doing?

A chef.



What are the three things we’ll find on your desk?

Coffee mug, a sketch book and my phone.



What are your three favourite places to travel?

Paris, London and always a new place.



What are your travel essentials?

Swimming costume always, I love swimming.



A project you’ve worked on that remains close to your heart?

In 2008, Zaha Hadid was commissioned to work on this island which would house the Dubai Opera House, a huge music conservatory, a road network, bridges, the works. However, soon after we started working on the concept, the recession hit and the project never worked out.



A piece of advice you would give someone starting up in your space?

To not take anything too seriously and to just if you are passionate about something, just pursue however ridiculous it might be.



Rumy Shroff

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What was your first experience with design?

Organising my room as a child.



What was the greatest lesson you ever learnt?

Order and discipline.



How would you describe your sense of design?

Hard work and perseverance, it’s a patient search



What habits do you wish you could pick up from your sons?

Adventurousness.





Godrej Auditorium by Rumy Shroff



What quality do you admire most in your sons?

Honesty and integrity.



How had design and the appreciation for design changed in India over the past few years?

Looks are becoming more and more important, at times over substance. Form vs. function.

What are spaces you wish you had worked on?

Industrial buildings, large spaces with huge spans, cathedrals of the21th century.



What is one design trend you wish never emerged?

Post-modern, still reeling from the ill effects of this movement.



Who would be your dream collaborator?

An enlightened engineer



Are you more vintage or modern?

Modern

How daring are you with your designs? Or do you enjoy convention?

I’m not daring at all!



The last book you read?

Collective Choice and Social Welfare



What inspires you?

Historical readings, self-improvement



How do you channel your creativity?

Creativity is on demand



If you weren’t doing what you do, what would you be doing?

Something in the legal profession



What are the three things we’ll find on your desk?

Puzzle, my pens and pictures of my sons



What are your three favourite places to travel?

London, New York and Kelwa



What are your travel essentials?

Prayer book, reading material and toiletries



A project you’ve worked on that remains close to your heart?

My own farmhouse in Kelwa, and the headquarters of Bajaj Auto.



A piece of advice you would give someone starting up in your space?

Patience, perseverance and hard work!



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