Pagdandi: Charting the Success Story of Khozema Chitalwala

Award-winning Architect Khozema Chitalwala dwells on his 30-plus-years of practice and tracks his learning trajectory, especially for Pagdandi…

‘Pagdandi’ is a word in the Hindi language meaning the path that has been etched into the ground. This Special Series aims at recording the inspiring success stories of selected stalwarts from the design and architecture fraternity.

In this episode, Ar. Chitalwala recounts his journey from the time he officially established Designers’ Group in 1989. Dabbling in all kinds of projects – residential, commercial, corporate, he moved along, one eye always on the lookout for a hospitality project. As he sums it up in one sentence, “The excitement that a hospitality project brings, is unparalleled!”

He attributes two turning points to his journey. The first was in the year 1997 when his company was designated as the architect for Titan showrooms across West Zone, India. Having worked with renovating the Akbarallys chain of stores across Mumbai, this retail experience consolidated his position as a designer with over 150 stores in a span of ten years!

The second turning point came in 1999 when he was invited by the Taj Group of Hotels (Indian Hotels Company Limited) to work on their properties for renovations, new projects, and in collaboration with international architects. Starting with Taj President, Ar. Chitalwala went on to work on approximately 16-17 properties for the Taj in the span of a few years.

Designers’ Group made a noticeable splash, when the makers of Hotel Blue Diamond, Pune approached them for their interiors. With the architecture of the property driven by Ar. Christopher Benninger, Designers’ Group left their indelible imprint on the interiors. And the rest as is said is history!

A spate of hospitality projects followed. Fariyas at Lonavala stands loftily elite even today. Royal Orchid, Bangalore was a resounding success as the makeover by Designers’ Group changed its brand image completely. One project after another shaped up into experiential, sophisticated spaces that stood out for their warmth, functionality, and oomph factor. And Designers’ Group was recognised as a core hospitality firm, delivering ‘luxury with simplicity’.

Team IAnD in a brief conversation with Ar. Khozema Chitalwala:

What was the first-ever challenge you faced as an independent architect? How did you resolve it?
My first biggest challenge when we established Designers Group was in making invoices and collecting payments as this wasn’t taught in architecture schools. Hence, we set up an administrative department that was headed and managed by my wife, Sujata Chitalwala.

Why did you choose to specialize and work only in a niche sector like hospitality?
We envisaged the hospitality sector to be challenging as it is a constantly evolving segment with an immense need for innovation. Each new project demands a unique and efficient design thinking process.  I learned this early on in my career and absolutely understood its importance as I implemented it in my hotel projects. To this day, even the smallest challenge gives an adrenaline rush.

Which project has impacted your portfolio the most, and how?
Devi Ratn Hotel in Jaipur – spread across 8Lakh sq. ft.-plus, in the year 2020 was assigned to Designers Group as a renovation project with Taj Hotels on the verge of launching a new boutique brand called ‘SeleQtion’ by IHCL. It was one of the first being launched in India as a part of ‘SeleQtion’.

This project gave our team an expansive exposure into understanding and learning the brand philosophy that is expected for boutique hotels and in re-creating it flawlessly for them.

 Your USP?
“Being simple!”

The future?
I honestly want to consider a retirement plan, but it doesn’t seem to be happening! On a serious note, I would say one does not stop learning. There is a lot to do. Before I hang my boots, I aspire that the brands that are not giving us premium properties should realise that Indian consultants and especially young talent have brilliant potential. This is something that I would like to work on. And of course, keep on designing… till my last day.

Designers Group, a leading core hospitality firm in India, founded by Ar. Khozema Chitalwala, with his wife and partner Sujata Chitalwala, has extensive experience of two-and-a-half decades in interior architecture. Believing in simple yet ground-breaking design, this global hospitality firm outlines concepts that evince to be smart, user-interactive, and stand up to the specifications of the global market. The high-end hospitality interior architecture projects handled by the firm showcase its commitment to excellence.
The underlying creative expressions of the firm’s style – Luxury and Simplicity – though diabolically opposite in character, co-exist harmoniously in all they do! 

Some of their awards include:
World Architecture Award in the 34th cycle (2020) for Hotel Devi Ratn
Estrade Award 2020 in Leisure Interior category for Hotel Devi Ratn
Estrade Award 2020 in Interior Design- Private Residence category for a private residence
National Architecture & Interior Design Awards as “Best Interior Design Architecture Firm of the Year 2021” Maharashtra under the “Premium Hospitality Projects” Category.
LIV Hospitality Design Awards 2021- Winner in Architectural Design Hotel – Boutique
A’ design award 2021 for Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Finalist in Glitz Honour Awards 2021

Photography courtesy of Designers’ Group

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