M-Connect: Celebrating Architectural Excellence & Innovation Episode 9 - The det...
From sketch to stone: Obsession that elevates architecture
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Last Updated: Oct 13, 2025, 17:14 IST2 min
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In architecture, the difference between good and exceptional often lies in the details—the grooves, junctions, textures and subtle gestures that define the soul of a space. Themed ‘The Detail Obsession’, Episode 9 of M-Connect: Celebrating Architectural Excellence & Innovation, presented by Marmo Solutions in association with Forbes India, shines a light on this near-spiritual pursuit.
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The panel comprised of three champions of the craft: Arun Sharma, Principal Architect at Atrey & Associates, known for blending fluid design with environmental consciousness; Sachi Gupta, Principal Design and Co-founder of Synthesis, a firm straddling New Delhi and London with a passion for material innovation; and Gurveer, Principal Architect at Designer Desk, who brings three generations of design legacy to his contemporary work.
“Details,” said Arun, “can begin as small gestures but become the spine of an entire project.” He recalled how a simple concrete wall transitioned from being a façade in the lobby to becoming a unifying design element throughout the home—a testament to the power of restraint and harmony.
Sachi also shared a story of turning glass into a multisensory theme for an F&B space, transforming the dining experience in ways no one imagined, while Gurveer, inspired by a Moroccan pattern during his travels, used it as the base of a motif across materials—stone, marble, precast concrete—making it the beating heart of a villa.
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Materials, the panel agreed, often lead design rather than follow it. “I love materials and to me every project is the beginning of innovation with new material,” said Sachi. She also recounted how a Louis Poulsen lamp sparked the concept for a corporate façade, translating micro-details into macro architecture.
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Client expectations, budgets and timelines often challenge these creative instincts—but the panellists revealed how they’ve stood firm for the sake of their design. Gurveer spoke of a one-of-a-kind door that tripled cost estimates but delivered exclusive charm. “When a design is so unique, it will have its own cost and time-line parameters but at least it will never have been seen in books and photographs or on social media platforms, like Pinterest.
The participants also discussed how despite digital tools, sketching remains sacred. “It’s the fastest way to communicate with the mind, the hand, and the client,” said Arun. Gurveer called it “a temple”—a place where ideas are revered before they are built.
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The conversation revealed that sometimes, the smallest decisions—concealing using velvet, a gold-accented tile or a niche that lets in the sunlight in a particular way—carry the deepest meaning for them. These design elements may not always be noticed or applauded but they give precious self-validation to the designer.
This episode of M-Connect helped unpack the idea that the smallest choices often leave the deepest imprint. In a world rushing towards automation and scale, architecture is not just about aesthetics and craft, it’s also about intention, care, obsession and control. And that’s what makes every space not just seen, but felt.
The pages slugged ‘Brand Connect’ are equivalent to advertisements and are not written and produced by Forbes India journalists.
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First Published: Oct 13, 2025, 17:14
Subscribe NowThe pages slugged ‘Brand Connect’ are equivalent to advertisements and are not written and produced by Forbes India journalists
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