With a passion to deliver innovative design solutions for rapidly changing urban environments in their projects, Mitu Mathur, Director, GPM Architects & Planners, has made an impact in this sector. On the occasion of Women’s Day, on March 8th, we tracked her professional journey and insights on women’s participation for equality in leadership.
Give us an outline of your professional journey.
Growing up in a family of architects, choosing the profession was a natural instinct. Architecture education in Delhi and New York gave me a new direction, propelled a creative thought process, urging me to question the current norms of the practice and how we approach design.
Currently, I am working as Director of Gian P Mathur & Associates, a 40-year-old Design practice started by my father and my role model. Here, my role ranges from leading the design team, managing operations and business development. My experience of over ten years in Design and Development has given me the opportunity to work on several key projects in Housing, Urban Planning & Redevelopment.
I feel my professional journey has been very fulfilling. One of the most delightful aspects of my career has been in playing a pivotal role in revitalising places in our Indian cities and creating spaces that people engage with. Though architecture practice in the Indian context is very demanding, with never-ending submissions, lengthy approval processes and constant changes in design, it is the excitement of creating and ideating that fuels my enthusiasm and continues to drive me every day. My work is influenced by my learning and understanding of the cities I have lived and travelled to. I believe keeping an open mind, taking humble yet bold decisions, and the guidance of my seniors and peers, plus my instincts, have paved my way forward.
Since you have taken the reign of GPM Architects and Planners in your hands from your father, how is the experience for you?
Our firm was initially popularly known for its successful commercial, residential, and industrial projects. After undertaking education in Urban Design, I helped establish us as Urban Designers too, foraying into the domains of public and infrastructure projects. Over the years, my role has evolved from leading the design team to managing the office and business development activities.
My seniors and other Directors at the office have been a support pillar in this process. My father is a very methodical professional and has built this firm from scratch with his arduous hard work. Thanks to his years of experience, a deep understanding of the profession and humble nature, he is not just a guide but a father figure for everyone around him.
What are the standard protocols being followed by your company while planning for a project?
For any project we undertake, our key objective is to establish self-sustainable development models with respect to the environment, response to context, use of passive strategies and sustainable revenue models that act as a catalyst for urban regeneration and drivers of change to enhance the community. Our conceptual approach for projects is experience-driven, guided by a vision to create recognisable and interesting architecture and urban spaces. We believe in delivering innovative and sustainable design solutions for rapidly changing urban environments.
What about the landmark projects the GPM Group has executed so far and important infra projects in hand?
Over the years, we have worked on various projects of different size and scale – from residential, commercial to urban design, infrastructure, and industries. Our passion for designing engaging spaces for the public has helped us complete some milestone projects successfully, which include In-situ slum rehabilitation projects in Delhi for DDA, National Institute of Design, Bhopal, Redevelopment of GPRA colonies projects in Delhi and Redevelopment of Railway stations, the recently inaugurated MP Housing Project among others.
In infrastructure, we have been paving the way for a transit oriented development focusing on integrating various modes of transportation systems and a mixed-use development. We have completed various DMRC Metro Stations like Akshardham, Anand Vihar and Karkardooma in the past, and are currently working on the redevelopment of Railway Stations at Tirupati, Nellore and Dehradun.
Bringing cost-effective and user friendly solutions to the general masses, what does this mean and how are you working on this agenda?
With schemes like PMAY, DDJ, the affordability of the residential units on the rise, and with the introduction of efficient and innovative design solutions, the value of these homes can be highlighted multiple times. We are also currently doing multiple projects for the affordable housing segment, wherein innovative features like a small study area for study/work from home for the entire family has been introduced, keeping in mind the change in user requirements. The evolution of construction technology has reduced the cost of construction and is speeding up the process dramatically. The acceptance of newer construction technologies is also a key driver in the housing segment.
Other than residential projects you have also forayed into townships, industrial, institutional work, tell us more about these ventures.
The fast-growing number of urban dwellers requires innovative architectural solutions in limited land availability. As a practical response to this predicament, we are currently working on multiple township projects that reinforce the idea of vertical living by incorporating community spaces and essential amenities within the high rise development. Few of our recent projects, such as Mapsko Mountville, Rangoli Greens, and The Amaryllis, are envisioned to design a sustainable campus and promote a compact lifestyle with intricate community greens that create an enlivened environment and encourage liveability. We have also worked extensively on institutional projects such as the campus of NID Bhopal, and are currently working on the National Archives and National Library, Mauritius and the Police Training Academy, where our approach has been to promote capacity building and training to empower its users to become effective leaders of the community.
With the pandemic our lifestyle has taken a turnaround, designing and planning of a house will reverse in the coming years. What changes would you like to implement for the urban design of residential housing?
Adaptability and Innovation have been the keywords during the pandemic. With rapid changes in the environment all around us, it is vital to imbibe sustainable and biologically balanced architecture. Flexibility and openness to integrate new practices within your own is the most vital learning during the past year, which we are trying to incorporate in our practice.
With a shift in buyer sentiment, the demand for dynamic spatial layouts with higher safety, wellness facilities, and green areas within housing development is witnessing a rise. We are trying to incorporate these features in our projects, e.g. in our recent project ‘Rangoli Greens’ in Jaipur, the addition of 5.5 acres of green space in the new-age apartment complex seeks to bridge the gap between nature and users. We aim to promote sustainable vertical living that provides the users with basic facilities and enhances their quality of living.
What are your thoughts on the current scenario of the real estate business?
Like every other industry, the real estate sector took a major blow due to the imposed nationwide lockdown last year. The mass exodus of the migrant labourers due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to housing projects being stalled and delivery dates postponed, inevitably decreasing the new project launches and corresponding sales by almost 50 per cent. The slowdown in housing demand may have pulled prices lower during the previous year, but with the rollout of the vaccine, this slump will undoubtedly bounce back to normal. The lower rate of interest, coupled with a decrease in housing prices and government initiatives to extend project completion deadlines, has led housing sales in the key markets to resume, although slowly, showing a renewed potential in the real estate industry.
In light of the pandemic, homeownership has become a prime concern for a city dweller, especially with the rise in remote working. This will inevitably lead to a shift in the buyer’s mindset and rising demand for the upgradation of living spaces in forthcoming years. The pandemic has led to a significant change in our lifestyles as well, with the increased importance of a work-life balance and the need to invest in houses that cater to more than just our living requirements. The growing importance of homeownership and shift in housing requirements will undoubtedly lead to better days and a quicker pace of revival in the coming year.
What are your future plans for the company?
My philosophy is guided by – Process, People and Passion. I believe in aligning the process of doing any work and establishing a system. For every design I do, the process, approach and the story is most important as it carves a unique identity for itself. Equally important for me is the teamwork and collaborative effort that goes into making any successful design story. Our team is our biggest asset, along with the industry experts we collaborate with on a project to project basis. And finally, it’s the passion and love for our work that drives us every day. My aim is to establish a systems driven organisation that people take pride in. The growth of a firm depends on its people, and for us, their happiness and satisfaction are of prime importance.
How did you cope up with this lockdown phase and what was your learning from it?
With ripples of the COVID-19 pandemic felt throughout all sectors of the economy, just like any other industry, the architecture and construction industry has faced numerous challenges too. At GPM, we have embraced the transition from a physical office workspace to digital mediums with the use of new technologies for coordination and assessment of work on sites, less face to face meetings and digital tools for collaboration – for which I thank the IT support, the team and our clients who were open to experimenting. During this pandemic, one of the biggest takeaways has been to re-evaluate our approach towards architecture, primarily on designing for community living, ensuring housing for all, and promoting the revitalisation of the city.
What does the International Women’s Day slogan equality in leadership and achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world mean for you in your work life?
Being a woman in architecture is quite exciting, especially when you see your peers and your clients developing trust in your work over a period of time. Having started young at the age of 27, in a leadership role in the firm, I often found myself giving presentations, pitching for projects, and taking design decisions on site. With an attitude to never give up, I have faced various project presentations and site meetings, where people initially doubted my capabilities and applauded in the end. But over the years, I have witnessed a significant shift in the appreciation of women designers and their acknowledgement in leadership roles. Thanks to the media, the last decade marked a shift not only because of the change in mindset but also because of widespread awareness.
For me, Women’s Day signifies just one belief, and this is what I would like to advise to young professionals as well – Work towards your vision and never stop trusting your inner instincts. Give due time to your family and yourself; if you are good at your work, nobody can take your talent away from you. Think of you as an individual and never compare – gender should never limit the kind of work you do. There has also been a tremendous advancement in the several realms of architecture where women professionals can play diverse roles – design conceptualisation, product design, interactive designs, digital presentations, project coordination, and much more.