Architect Hafeez Contractor

Our office is located at 1/14 in New Papai Wadi, which is a bit of a tucked-away spot in Mumbai. It isn't one of those modern skyscrapers you see in the magazines. Instead, it’s an older building that has a lot of character and, frankly, a bit of dust. We have been here for a long time, and the space is absolutely packed with rolls of drawings and old models that we haven't found a place for. Every shelf is overflowing with site reports and technical books. It’s a busy atmosphere where someone is always on the phone or clicking away at a mouse. The hallway is narrow, and you have to navigate around boxes of old files to get to the main work area. We don't have a big sign outside or a receptionist in a suit. Usually, you just walk in and find everyone busy at their stations. It can get pretty loud when we are all discussing a project at once, and the tea guy comes by every few hours to keep us going. The street outside is typical for this part of Maharashtra—lots of people, bikes, and the general hum of the city. We like the grit of being in an older neighborhood because it keeps us connected to how buildings actually age and function over time. It’s a hardworking environment where the focus is strictly on the drawings and the structural details rather than looking fancy for visitors. We just keep our heads down and work.