M/S. C.R.Narayana Rao.Architects & Engineers

Our office is tucked away in the Balaji Flats over on Lake View Road. West Mambalam is a busy part of Chennai, and we’ve been here at 28/183 for quite some time. It’s a residential building mostly, so it feels very grounded. We are architects and engineers, but don't expect a studio with white sofas. Our space is filled with rolls of paper, pens, and a few computers that have seen better days. We work on designs and check structural details until our eyes get tired. Sometimes the neighbors pop by just to say hello or ask for a bit of advice on their own houses. It’s that kind of place. Chennai heat can be brutal, so the fan or the AC in the flat works overtime. We spend hours debating over a single line on a drawing because that’s what the job takes. It isn't always glamorous work. There’s a lot of waiting for approvals and talking to contractors who are stuck in traffic. We just try to get the math right and make sure the buildings will actually stand. The street outside is always noisy with scooters and vendors, but once you’re inside the flats, we just focus on the task at hand. We don’t have a flashy sign out front. People usually find us through word of mouth or because they know the Balaji Flats well. It’s just us doing our thing every day, trying to build something useful.