Architect Surabhi

This office is tucked inside Bhavya Co Operative Housing Society in Sewri. It is right across from the Bharat Petroleum pump, which makes it pretty easy for visitors to find us without getting lost. I spend most of my day right here in room 604. Working in a residential society feels a lot more personal than being in one of those glass towers. You hear the daily sounds of the neighborhood while you are working on designs. Sewri has its own rhythm and being on Acharya Donde Marg keeps me connected to the rest of the city. I handle architecture work, mostly looking at how to make spaces work better for the people living in them. It is not always glamorous work. There is a lot of measuring, drawing, and checking various rules. Sometimes the tea from the local stall downstairs is the best part of a long afternoon. People come by with all sorts of ideas for their homes or small shops. I listen, take some notes, and see what can actually be done. It is mostly a one-person show, or maybe a small helper comes in sometimes. I do not like using big words to explain things to people. If a wall should not be in a certain place, I just say so. Being near the port area, you see a lot of old and new buildings clashing. It is an interesting place to spend the day. I have been here for a bit. (253 words)