“It’s not about just doing interiors” – Poonam Mehta
Interiors

“It’s not about just doing interiors” – Poonam Mehta

Poonam is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Arts (London) and Akash is a well-known designer with an in-depth knowledge of lighting. One of India’s top luxury interior designers, Poonam Mehta has made a mark for herself in the industry.

CW Design Build speaks to Poonam about conception, challenges and future of AMPM Designs.

Tell us about the challenges you faced while starting your journey of establishing AMPM Designs?
There is always going to be a challenge when you desire to branch out on your own. Before starting with AMPM Designs, I have worked for Talati and Panthaky, DSP Designs which are extremely large firms to be associated with. And that growth from starting as an intern, then junior designer, senior designer and eventually having your own company is a huge deal. Because having your own designing brand is not only about designs, the clients and the sites. It has a lot of backhand work like accounts, management, admin work and these sections of work are too important to keep that office atmosphere running peacefully. Stepping up for the first time is like inviting a risk and really one of the biggest decisions to make. But once you take that plunge, eventually everything comes together.

Take us through your design process from conception and design to final build.
The clients coming that hire us are looking at us as a medium for their dream to come true. And to turn their dream into the reality the most important thing is to understand the client by getting into their shoes. And I thank by graduation in psychology that eases my effort in understanding my client’s approach and demand. Once we get the gist of our clients’ taste, the next thing we have in our list is brainstorming on the entire process of the project and structure it with our drawings. We put a lot of emphasis on the minute details even at our site. And that’s how we create spaces.

Do you consider aestheticism or functionality to be more important?
When we do luxury, aestheticism naturally becomes important. The entire process from detailing to transforming is an absolute magic for me. But as far as clients are concerned, the most important thing is functionality

Which project in your portfolio do you find the most interesting and why?
We are currently loaded up with about 35+ projects and each one of them is very much interesting in their own way. Working with every client is all about their homes, the whole thing is like a movie to me, it’s the story and that stage is the house, the characters that are going to be living in that house. There is a lot of passion and immense pleasure in the struggle to build a space into a home for someone who have dreamed for it.

Which section of your portfolio are you most proud of? What does it reflect in you as an interior designer?
What I’m proud of is that I can show different body of work, the only kind of resemblance is my perfection and concentrating on fine details to build the quality of any house. It’s only because I get into the box of my clients’ mind, I think I deliver different projects for different home. And that is the ultimate key for people to not be able to identify our approach in all our projects. Apart from interior designing we also delivery our expertise in lighting and styling of the house. Because, we believe that it’s not just doing interiors but we are the brand that aggregates everything that you need in the house.

Speaking of our recent project handed over in Indore was for a client who believed in absolutely earthy material. It was a big non no for non shiny or unreal materials and demanded everything natural and that’s how we came up completely with a theme called Earthy Project. It’s so different how everything worked considering the concrete floor, concrete textured walls, brick on the ceiling, stone walls, rustic doors and to name a few. Such concept was so new for me and doing something not so ordinary was very challenging and exciting.

What questions do you typically ask your clients before getting to work, and how do their answers reflect into your design decisions?
When we meet our clients, we always confront them to share with us their ideas and share all the images they have saved up on Pinterest! And when you see those images there is one thing similar in each they share and I try to I crack their envisioned expectation.

What's your opinion on using antiques or thrifted items over name brand items in your designs?
Every individual is different and anything that works for your clients is self-opinionated and eventually they are the ones to live in that space, so you have to respect it.

How do you incorporate sustainability in your designs?
For me, the efficiency of work is a part of sustainable concept rather than just using cane furniture that is sustainable. As far as I’m not wasting or abusing any material that is used by that pattern of breaking and then re-making. I feel it’s fine to use what your clients prefer and what’s best for them.

What advice would you like to give to aspiring architects/designers?
There is a market for all and it will continue to be, if you are someone who likes doing genre of work in designing, there is always going to be a client for you. You just have to be confident in doing what you have been doing, market yourself well on platforms and just go with your gut. But most important thing is to get good experience. If your clients are putting a lot of money into you for their dream house, you can’t take a chance and screwed it up with bad equipment and make a mistake.

It’s not important to be on your own after you have an experience, because with designing there comes a lot of responsibilities. If you feel you can handle the backhand along with designing, you are ready to bring your own firm. But if you brilliant as a designer and can’t withhold other jobs, just land up at different firms and you will surprise yourself with your work and the exposure that you might get.

Poonam is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Arts (London) and Akash is a well-known designer with an in-depth knowledge of lighting. One of India’s top luxury interior designers, Poonam Mehta has made a mark for herself in the industry. CW Design Build speaks to Poonam about conception, challenges and future of AMPM Designs. Tell us about the challenges you faced while starting your journey of establishing AMPM Designs? There is always going to be a challenge when you desire to branch out on your own. Before starting with AMPM Designs, I have worked for Talati and Panthaky, DSP Designs which are extremely large firms to be associated with. And that growth from starting as an intern, then junior designer, senior designer and eventually having your own company is a huge deal. Because having your own designing brand is not only about designs, the clients and the sites. It has a lot of backhand work like accounts, management, admin work and these sections of work are too important to keep that office atmosphere running peacefully. Stepping up for the first time is like inviting a risk and really one of the biggest decisions to make. But once you take that plunge, eventually everything comes together. Take us through your design process from conception and design to final build. The clients coming that hire us are looking at us as a medium for their dream to come true. And to turn their dream into the reality the most important thing is to understand the client by getting into their shoes. And I thank by graduation in psychology that eases my effort in understanding my client’s approach and demand. Once we get the gist of our clients’ taste, the next thing we have in our list is brainstorming on the entire process of the project and structure it with our drawings. We put a lot of emphasis on the minute details even at our site. And that’s how we create spaces. Do you consider aestheticism or functionality to be more important? When we do luxury, aestheticism naturally becomes important. The entire process from detailing to transforming is an absolute magic for me. But as far as clients are concerned, the most important thing is functionality Which project in your portfolio do you find the most interesting and why? We are currently loaded up with about 35+ projects and each one of them is very much interesting in their own way. Working with every client is all about their homes, the whole thing is like a movie to me, it’s the story and that stage is the house, the characters that are going to be living in that house. There is a lot of passion and immense pleasure in the struggle to build a space into a home for someone who have dreamed for it. Which section of your portfolio are you most proud of? What does it reflect in you as an interior designer? What I’m proud of is that I can show different body of work, the only kind of resemblance is my perfection and concentrating on fine details to build the quality of any house. It’s only because I get into the box of my clients’ mind, I think I deliver different projects for different home. And that is the ultimate key for people to not be able to identify our approach in all our projects. Apart from interior designing we also delivery our expertise in lighting and styling of the house. Because, we believe that it’s not just doing interiors but we are the brand that aggregates everything that you need in the house. Speaking of our recent project handed over in Indore was for a client who believed in absolutely earthy material. It was a big non no for non shiny or unreal materials and demanded everything natural and that’s how we came up completely with a theme called Earthy Project. It’s so different how everything worked considering the concrete floor, concrete textured walls, brick on the ceiling, stone walls, rustic doors and to name a few. Such concept was so new for me and doing something not so ordinary was very challenging and exciting. What questions do you typically ask your clients before getting to work, and how do their answers reflect into your design decisions? When we meet our clients, we always confront them to share with us their ideas and share all the images they have saved up on Pinterest! And when you see those images there is one thing similar in each they share and I try to I crack their envisioned expectation. What's your opinion on using antiques or thrifted items over name brand items in your designs? Every individual is different and anything that works for your clients is self-opinionated and eventually they are the ones to live in that space, so you have to respect it. How do you incorporate sustainability in your designs? For me, the efficiency of work is a part of sustainable concept rather than just using cane furniture that is sustainable. As far as I’m not wasting or abusing any material that is used by that pattern of breaking and then re-making. I feel it’s fine to use what your clients prefer and what’s best for them. What advice would you like to give to aspiring architects/designers? There is a market for all and it will continue to be, if you are someone who likes doing genre of work in designing, there is always going to be a client for you. You just have to be confident in doing what you have been doing, market yourself well on platforms and just go with your gut. But most important thing is to get good experience. If your clients are putting a lot of money into you for their dream house, you can’t take a chance and screwed it up with bad equipment and make a mistake. It’s not important to be on your own after you have an experience, because with designing there comes a lot of responsibilities. If you feel you can handle the backhand along with designing, you are ready to bring your own firm. But if you brilliant as a designer and can’t withhold other jobs, just land up at different firms and you will surprise yourself with your work and the exposure that you might get.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Adani Green Adds 212.5 MW Solar in Gujarat

Adani Green Energy Ltd. has commissioned a 212.5 MW solar power project at Khavda, Gujarat, through its subsidiary Adani Renewable Energy Fifty Seven Ltd. This addition brings Adani Green's total operational renewable capacity to 13,700 MW, as per a stock exchange filing. Last month, Adani Green became India's first renewable energy company to cross 12,000 MW of operational capacity. The company is also developing the world's largest 30,000 MW renewable energy plant in Khavda, spanning 538 sq km—about five times the size of Paris and nearly as large as Mumbai. Upon completion, it will be th..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

ONGC NTPC Green Acquires Ayana for Rs 62.5 Billion

ONGC NTPC Green Pvt Ltd (ONGPL) has completed the Rs 62.5 billion acquisition of Ayana Renewable Power, securing a 100% equity stake. The 50:50 joint venture between NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) and ONGC Green Ltd finalized the deal. NGEL contributed Rs 31.2 billion toward the acquisition, aligning with its goal to achieve 60 GW of renewable capacity by 2032. Ayana, a key player in India's green energy sector, has a 4,112 MW portfolio, with 2,123 MW operational and 1,989 MW under construction. Its projects are backed by high-credit-rated buyers, including SECI, NTPC, GUVNL, and Indian Railw..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Cabinet Approves Rs 37.1 Billion Patna-Sasaram Corridor

The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a four-lane access-controlled Patna-Sasaram corridor in Bihar at an estimated cost of Rs 37.1 billion. The 120.1 km project, to be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), aims to ease congestion and enhance connectivity. Currently, travel between Sasaram, Arrah, and Patna takes 3-4 hours due to heavy traffic on state highways. The new corridor will integrate greenfield and 10.6 km of brownfield upgrades, linking key cities such as Arrah, Grahini, Piro, Bikramganj, Mokar, and Sasaram. The project will connect NH-19, NH-319, NH-922, NH-..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?