Panel Discussion :- Design: Timelessness in the Times of ‘Trending’
Date: 15 February 2025
Time: 04:30 PM to 05:30 PM
Venue: Hutheesing Visual Arts Centre, CEPT, Ahmedabad
Panelists:
1) Vaibhavi Thakkar Desai – Proprietor & Principal Designer, TV Studio Designs & Consultants LLP
Vaibhavi has been instrumental in creating innovative and luxurious spaces since the firm’s inception in 2015. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for pushing the boundaries of conventional design, Vaibhavi has led her team in delivering projects that redefine the way we perceive and interact with built environments.
Vaibhavi’s journey in design began with a Bachelor of Interior Design from Vallabh Vidhyanagar, Gujarat, followed by a Master’s in Interior Architecture and Design from CEPT University, Ahmedabad. Her academic pursuits continue with a Ph.D. in Re-contextualisation of Crafts through Design Education at GLS University, where she explores innovative approaches to design pedagogy.
Passionate about sustainability, Vaibhavi integrates eco-friendly practices into her designs, advocating for bamboo products, collaborative strategies, and upcycling initiatives. Embracing technology as a game-changer, she leverages tools like AI and virtual reality to push the boundaries of design possibilities and create immersive experiences for her clients.
Some of Vaibhavi’s recently completed notable projects include “Stimulating Domesticity” in Ahmedabad where she has reimagined healthcare spaces to create a healing environment for children. Another standout project is the “Resolutely Contemporary” site office for Avani Group in Gandhinagar. Here, Vaibhavi seamlessly blended permanent and temporary construction details to create a space that exudes modernity while encouraging engagement and creativity among visitors.
2) Hardik Gandhi – Architect, Men’s Sartorialist, Owner & Curator, I am Mr. – The Store
Hardik Gandhi is a talented Architect and Urban Planner who returned from Sydney to collaborate with prominent firms in urban design. After seven years in the corporate sector, his passion for men’s fashion and personal branding led him to create “I am Mr.” — a platform catering to the increasing demand for refined men’s fashion and personal branding in India.
“I am Mr.” is a premier platform based in India that specializes in men’s styling, clothing, and lifestyle. Offering a comprehensive range of services and expert advice, it covers all aspects of personal image and brand development, including but not limited to styling, tailoring, grooming, visual merchandising, lifestyle gadgets, travel essentials, and even interior design.
Originally launched in 2014 as a blog focused on men’s styling and grooming, “I am Mr.” has since garnered recognition in major newspapers, online portals, magazines, and influential Instagram pages for its expertise in the field.
3 ) Rishav Jain – Associate Professor- Program Chair- B.Des, CEPT University
Rishav Jain is an Associate Professor and Program Chair for the Bachelor of Design at CEPT University. His work spans craft futures, contemporary design, and 21st-century design education. He has led international research projects, developed conceptual frameworks and toolkits, and written for national and international publications. An author and curator, he enjoys creating graphics and exploring visual and food cultures.
4) Priyanka Thaker – Architect, Artist & Founder, House Of Berserk
Born out of love and passion, House of Berserk was founded in 2019 by a multidisciplinary artist, Priyanka Thaker from Bangalore/Ahmedabad.
Evolving from her architecture background, House of Berserk is a high spirited art practice striving to create immersive experiences with an array of mediums that defy conventional artistic boundaries.
5 ) Ar. Surya Kakani – Principal Architect Kakani Associates & Dean Of Faculty of Architecture, CEPT University
Mr. Surya Kakani is an architect based in Ahmedabad with 23 years of experience. He holds a diploma in architecture from School of Architecture, Vallabh Vidyanagar, and a Master’s in Architecture from UCLA. Surya has traveled extensively across India, South-East Asia, Japan, Mexico, America, Europe, and China to study materials, structure, culture, space, and sustainability. He has been a visiting faculty/critic at CEPT, NID, and other institutes and served as Dean of Faculty of Architecture at CEPT University. Mr. Kakani’s practice focuses on resource conservation, sustainability, and appropriateness in design.
