On Government & Private Projects in Architecture- Sourabh Gupta

Archohm has thrived on private clients. Whether it is for infrastructure development or residences, private clients live on speed and economy. The projects need a certain deliverance but more often than not, this is hinged around the top management for decisions.  This certainly brings in the required speed  but takes out - democracy from the project. The advice of the consultant may not be supreme and logic may not prevail.

Government projects are a different animal. Their value system and their philosophy is far more qualitative than quantitative. They value the process almost more than the product. The processes followed bring in a fair amount of professionalism and perfection. The entire set up is fairly democratic as no stakeholder is personally involved. This in turn leads to the consultant being the ultimate advisor to the project. But saying that, government projects also defy logic under the nuance of protocols.

We have had an opportunity to work with the Dutch, Libyan and Indian governments.

The Dutch were very definitive. Our task for the Dutch railways was chalked out with clinical precision and there was no scope for discussion or debate.

The Libyans on the other hand were most flexible. There were no rules to the game as their laws were far less evolved, almost non-existent in the sense the scale of projects and in this age of technology, since they were way behind in the development cycle.  

The Indian government projects are a fair balance in our experience. They have the principle algorithm set out but are open to a broad level of design and discussion. It is incredible how government projects can be a single individual driven. All it takes is a right lead to the project. This guidance and clarity of thought drives the project at a different level and to a different quality.

We see government projects as the future, the way ahead in our architectural aspirations as they bring in the scale and the opportunity of touching the common man with architecture and design.

Sourabh gupta