Jain Shaiffy Architect

We are based at H.No.305-A, Phase-1B, in Shivalik Avenue, Naya Nangal. It’s right here in the Ropar district of Punjab. The office is actually part of the house, so it’s a very local, home-grown kind of setup. We have a separate entrance so people don’t have to walk through the living room, but you can still hear the family in the background sometimes. It makes for a very relaxed environment. We aren't wearing suits or trying to look like a big corporate firm. Most days we are just in our regular clothes, drinking chai and looking over house plans. Shivalik Avenue is a nice place to live and work because it’s calm and there’s a lot of greenery around. We’ve done a lot of work for people in the neighborhood over the years. We keep our records in big binders on the shelves behind the desk. Sometimes the printer jams and we have to spend an hour fixing it, which is annoying but that’s just how it goes. We don't have a big sign outside, just a small one near the gate so people know they have the right house. It’s a modest way to work but we enjoy being part of the community here in Naya Nangal. We just take things one day at a time and keep drawing until the sun goes down.