#YoungIcons2023: SAID led by Aniruddh Deshpande is a versatile architectural consultancy firm that offers a comprehensive range of design solutions

SAID led by Aniruddh Deshpande is a versatile architectural consultancy firm that offers a comprehensive range of design solutions under one roof.

Academic Qualification: After completing his B Arch, he founded SAID (Shubhlaxmee Architects and Interior Designers) in 2000.

About the Design Firm: His design portfolio is extensive, encompassing private residences, temples, resorts and large-scale educational and medical healthcare institutions. SAID has made its architectural footprint in 16 states across India.

First Internship: Architect Shirish Beri

Design Philosophy: At the core of Aniruddh’s design philosophy lies the concept of “The Soul” of buildings. He firmly believes that each structure possesses a unique character, shaped by its design, context, and inhabitants.

Breakthrough project: The M.B.A. Institute Project. While Aniruddh was involved in institutional designs early in his career, a significant breakthrough occurred in 2007 with the M.B.A. Institute project on Karve Road, Pune. International recognition came with projects like the award-winning private residence in exposed brickwork for Mr. Bijjargi in Karnataka and the national ferrocrete award-winning Science Centre vaults in Rajasthan.

Dream Project: Aniruddh’s dreams are etched in his design aspirations. These include the hilltop-mounted Banyan Tree International School in Pune, the lotus-shaped Shri Gajanan Maharaj Smruti-Mandir in Nagpur, a stepped resort on the slopes of Panchgani, and an international award-winning commercial complex wrapped in umbrellas in Karad.

Inspiration: Nature weaves through all of Aniruddh’s projects. He emphasises the importance of sustainable design, focusing on socio-cultural and functional aesthetics.

Dream Collaboration: In Aniruddh’s view, success of any project can be achieved through comprehensive collaboration of trios of satisfactory client, Innovative responding architect and sensible executing team.

Current Projects: Aniruddh’s specialisation in healthcare and education segments further diversifies the spectrum of his work. His current projects include the ambitious Central Instrumentation Laboratory, Shri Guru Govindsinghji Adhyasan Kendra at S.R.T.M. University in Nanded, Orthopaedic Attharva Hospital in Pune, Yashswini and Pangi Hospitals in Athani, and the PACE Multi-skill Training Centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Architectural Challenge: As an architect, Aniruddh faces the challenge of maintaining a delicate balance between specificity and ambiguity in the planning of architectural projects. He believes in architecture as a socio-cultural footprint that leaves a profound and impactful mark on society.