Why should you hire an architect? EP 6 Ft. Ar. Varun Tandon| BuildMate Podcast with Rishabh Aggarwal

Summary

In this episode of the Buildmate Podcast, host Varun Tandon, an experienced architect, discusses his journey in the field, focusing on residential architecture and building flows. He emphasizes the importance of architects in foreseeing future needs and collaborating with structural engineers. Tandon outlines the comprehensive services architects provide, from consultancy to interior design, and the types of drawings essential for a project. He also addresses how to choose the right architect, the benefits of having a team of vendors, and the challenges of balancing client desires with practical design. The conversation touches on cost-effective construction, green building concepts, and the role of architects in creating sustainable and efficient living spaces.

Takeaways

• 😀 The guest, Varun Tandon, is an architect with a focus on residential architecture and building flows, having worked for about five years.
• 🏢 Varun works with a firm called Fair Build, which is also known for its informative Instagram page.
• 🔍 Architects foresee and solve design issues, such as structural and utility planning, which can be complex for those without experience.
• 🏗️ The services of an architect include consultancy, structural consultancy, preparing drawings, and obtaining licenses for construction projects.
• 📚 Types of drawings provided by architects range from structural and electrical to plumbing, and even include elevation and interior design details.
• 🤝 Choosing the right architect often relies on referrals and personal visits to their projects to assess their design style and suitability.
• 🏡 The role of an architect extends beyond design to becoming a part of the client's family, guiding them through the building process.
• 🌿 Green architecture is gaining importance, focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability from the construction phase itself.
• 💰 Reducing the cost of housing involves innovative materials and methods, such as IPC flooring, and considering vernacular construction techniques.
• 📋 The Bill of Quantities (BOQ) is crucial for budgeting and includes detailed specifications of materials, brands, and grades to avoid cost overruns.
• 💼 Hiring an architect may seem costly, but the value they bring to a project in terms of design, problem-solving, and cost management outweighs the expense.

Q & A

What is Varun Tandon's educational background in the field of architecture?

Varun Tandon has a bachelor's degree from the School of Planning and Architecture, and a master's degree in interior designing from Ansel University.

How long has Varun Tandon been working in the field of architecture?

Varun Tandon has been working for roughly five years in the field of architecture.

What is the name of the firm Varun Tandon works with, and what is its focus?

Varun Tandon works with a firm called Fair Build, which focuses on residential architecture and building flows.

What are the core services provided by an architect according to Varun Tandon?

The core services provided by an architect include architectural consultancy, structure consultancy, preparing drawings, and working on electrical and plumbing plans, among others.

What types of drawings does an architect typically provide for a house plan?

An architect typically provides working drawings such as slab, electrical, plumbing, floor plans, window and door details, and elevation details.

How does one choose the right architect for their building needs according to Varun Tandon?

Choosing the right architect is often based on referrals and personal visits to their projects to see if the design and feel align with the client's preferences.

What is the role of a structural engineer in relation to an architect's work?

A structural engineer works closely with the architect, providing expertise on structural matters and helping to prepare structural drawings.

How does Varun Tandon approach the integration of Vastu principles in his architectural designs?

Varun Tandon keeps Vastu principles in mind and tries to integrate them into his designs, but also balances them with the client's requirements and preferences.

What are some ways to bring down the cost of housing construction as discussed by Varun Tandon?

Some ways to reduce construction costs include using vernacular construction methods, innovating with materials like IPC flooring, and utilizing factory-manufactured components for construction.

What is the process of creating a Bill of Quantities (BOQ) for a construction project?

Creating a BOQ involves specifying all materials, including brand and grade, and considering factors like freight charges. It should be detailed and comprehensive to provide a clear cost estimate.

What is the myth about hiring an architect being costly, and how does Varun Tandon respond to this?

The myth is that hiring an architect is costly, but Varun Tandon suggests that the cost of not hiring an architect can be higher due to potential mistakes and inefficiencies in the construction process.

What is Varun Tandon's outlook on the real estate market for 2023?

Varun Tandon's outlook for the real estate market in 2023 is stable, suggesting that it will neither be overly bullish nor bearish.

Outlines

00:00

🏗️ Introduction to Varun Tandon's Architectural Expertise

Varun Tandon, an architect with a background in planning and interior design, shares his experience in the field. He has been working for about five years and specializes in residential architecture, focusing on building flows. Varun works with a firm called Fair Build and emphasizes the importance of architects in foreseeing future needs and resolving construction issues. He outlines the various services an architect provides, including structural consultancy, preparing drawings, and obtaining licenses.

05:01

🤝 Choosing the Right Architect and Their Role

The discussion highlights the importance of referrals in selecting an architect and the ethical constraints against marketing endorsements. Varun explains that architects should be involved in the entire construction process, from design to completion, and become a part of the client's family. He also touches on the balance between following vastu principles and meeting client expectations, emphasizing the need for architects to guide clients while respecting their wishes.

10:03

🏘️ Reducing Housing Costs and Construction Innovations

Varun discusses the government's efforts to reduce housing costs and the importance of innovation in construction methods. He mentions historical examples like IPC flooring and the shift from on-site casting to factory-made components. Varun suggests that vernacular construction, which uses local materials, could be a cost-effective approach and should be considered in urban settings. He also addresses the increased complexity of modern houses compared to traditional ones.

15:04

🌿 Green Architecture and Material Selection

The conversation delves into green architecture, starting from construction practices to energy-efficient systems. Varun explains that green buildings require a holistic approach, including site preparation and the use of solar energy. He also discusses the decision-making process for a Bill of Quantities (BOQ), which involves considering factors like material grade, brand, and additional costs. Varun emphasizes the importance of detailed planning to manage construction costs effectively.

20:05

💰 The Cost of Hiring an Architect and Market Outlook

Varun addresses the myth that hiring an architect is costly, arguing that the cost of not hiring one can be higher due to potential mistakes and inefficiencies. He also discusses the real estate market's future, predicting stability for 2023 and advocating for real estate as a long-term investment. The podcast concludes with a reflection on the conversation and a promise of future discussions.

Keywords

💡Architect

An architect is a licensed professional trained in the design, planning, and supervision of the construction of buildings. In the video, Varun Tandon introduces himself as an architect with a focus on residential architecture. His role involves foreseeing future needs and challenges in building design, as exemplified by the story of a client who needed help with pipe placement.

💡Interior Designing

Interior designing refers to the creative and technical process of designing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment. Varun Tandon mentions having a master's degree in interior designing from Ansel University, indicating the importance of interior design in creating functional and attractive living spaces.

💡Consultancy

Consultancy in the context of architecture involves providing professional advice and services to clients regarding the design and construction of buildings. The script mentions that architects offer hardcore consultancy, including structure consultancy, which involves communicating with structural consultants and preparing drawings.

💡Elevation

In architecture, elevation refers to a detailed drawing that shows the exterior side of a building from one set of projection lines. The script discusses how architects work on elevation designs, which are part of the overall architectural planning process, to determine the aesthetic and functional aspects of a building's exterior.

💡Vastu

Vastu is an ancient Indian system of architecture that emphasizes the design and layout of a building in harmony with nature. The script mentions Vastu as a consideration in architectural design, with the architect needing to balance modern design elements with traditional Vastu principles to meet client satisfaction.

💡Bill of Quantities (BOQ)

A Bill of Quantities is a detailed list of physical items required to complete a construction project, including materials, labor, and equipment. The script discusses the importance of creating a BOQ for clients, which involves specifying materials, brands, and grades, and how it plays a crucial role in budgeting and cost control.

💡Turnkey Projects

A turnkey project is a type of construction project where the contractor is responsible for delivering a completed project, ready for the client to use. The script mentions turnkey projects in the context of clients wanting everything to be included without wanting to spend too much, highlighting the challenge of balancing client expectations with budget constraints.

💡Green Building

Green building refers to the practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings to be environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout their life cycle. The script discusses green architecture, mentioning the importance of starting with sustainable practices from the construction phase and considering energy-efficient systems and solar plants.

💡Vernacular Construction

Vernacular construction is the traditional way of building that uses local materials and techniques, often adapted to the local climate and culture. The script suggests that vernacular construction methods, such as plastered walls, could be reintroduced in modern cities to reduce construction costs and create more sustainable buildings.

💡Referrals

In the context of professional services, referrals are recommendations from one client to another. The script emphasizes the importance of referrals in the architecture profession, suggesting that it is the best way to find a suitable architect, as architects are not allowed to engage in marketing or endorsements due to professional ethics.

💡Innovation

Innovation in the construction industry refers to the development and implementation of new ideas or methods to improve efficiency, sustainability, or aesthetics. The script mentions historical innovations like IPC flooring as examples of how the industry has sought to reduce costs without compromising on structural integrity.

Highlights

Varun Tandon, an architect with a background in interior designing, discusses his expertise in residential architecture and building flows.

Tandon emphasizes the importance of architects in foreseeing future needs and resolving construction challenges, such as pipe passage issues.

Services provided by architects include consultancy, structural consultancy, and preparation of various architectural and interior design drawings.

Architects are responsible for the entire scope of a project, from structural and electrical drawings to elevation and interior design.

Choosing the right architect involves referrals and assessing their past work to ensure their design style aligns with the client's vision.

Tandon explains the role of architects in managing client expectations and balancing practicality with design aspirations.

The discussion touches on the importance of architects working with structural engineers and the ethical considerations of professional endorsements.

Tandon shares insights on the process of building, from the initial client relationship to the completion of the construction phase.

The concept of architects becoming part of the client's family during the design process is highlighted as a key aspect of the profession.

Vastu and its integration in modern architecture is discussed, with Tandon sharing his approach to balancing traditional principles with client satisfaction.

The government's efforts to reduce housing costs and the role of architects in innovating cost-effective construction methods are examined.

Tandon suggests returning to vernacular construction methods and using local materials as a way to reduce construction costs.

The conversation explores the increased complexity of modern houses compared to old houses and the impact on sustainability and maintenance.

Green buildings and their focus on energy efficiency, solar power, and sustainable construction practices are discussed.

Tandon explains the process of creating a Bill of Quantities (BOQ), including considerations for material grades and brand specifications.

The podcast addresses the myth that hiring an architect is costly, with Tandon arguing the value of professional expertise in project success.

The future of the real estate market in 2023 is predicted to be stable, with Tandon advising long-term investment strategies in real estate.

Transcripts

hi and welcome to the buildmate podcast

he's a dear friend as well and his core

area of expertise is too fast

multifaceted actually Consulting

building

good to have you here awesome to have

you today with us uh would you like to

tell us something about your experience

so my name is Varun Tandon as uh which

we already mentioned and I'm an

architect I've done my bachelor's from

school of planning and architecture

fairness and I've done my masters in

interior designing from Ansel University

okay so it's been about

roughly about five years since I've

started working okay so I work with a

firm name called Fair build yeah this

guy Instagram page beer videos and

there's a lot of knowledge out there uh

is there a core area of expertise that

you uh enjoy in your own field and we'll

see I try to

I try to work towards the best in

architecture so the core area that I

Target is majorly residential and uh

residential basically and build a flows

that's where I try to Target okay that's

where you're doing the uh floors where

you're building and you're selling them

off yeah so you're working as a builder

and an architect okay great uh

first season may I met a structural

engineer right

structure engineers

and I think that holds for your

profession as well right

why should somebody hire an architect

with Architects what what we do is we

foresee what is going to be next like uh

I'll just give you a very small example

on this

relatively some somebody was building

their home

they got stuck on one thing please

let the pipe pass through

he has more experience with working with

ac5 so we'll do it yeah and then foreign

ER

somebody who doesn't have the experience

this is this is a very small exam yeah

that I give what are the services uh

that fall under the purview of an

architect

okay if you're going uh for architecture

concern consultancy yes a hardcore

consultancy we do we the structure

consultancy is also included in our

scope only so we are the ones uh

communicating with the structure

consultant and preparing the drawings

okay and after that the work in drawings

electrical drawings Plumbing drawings uh

if I if I go deeper into architecture

then there's elevation uh elevation kit

designs what we can what we can try out

and probably listening of the plans

getting the licenses and everything that

is our scope okay

and if you move towards the interior

design then obviously interior working

Trends as well okay and that brings me

to the next question what are the types

of drawings that an architect provides

in the entire plan of the house

types of drawings of

it's majorly working drawings only so

starting from slab electricals to

Plumbing where each and every pipe has

to go from rain water pipes to supply

pipes to waste pipes waste pipes

how much load that bathroom is taking if

you if you notice all the commercial

projects commercial projects are they

actually have calculations in the

calculations that you have to calculate

the foot the footfall of the area then

according to that you have to calculate

how many urinals you're going to give

them wow yeah so

there are really small nitty-gritty

details also talking about drawings

again Electrical Plumbing uh structure

drawings goes through us then the floor

plans how the spatial planning should be

done window details door details

elevation details these are the a few

number of drawings that we usually okay

again

all through the reference right

how does one decide that who is the

right fit for their home or their

building need how to choose you know

who's the right architect for their home

see

our our profession is all about

referrals only uh business all about

referral simply so first of all the

referral sense our hair referenced it's

better to go to that person first

because you're not allowed to do

marketing yeah marketing endorsements

all such things are ethics don't allow

it professional course if you actually

do that COA has the right to cancel a

license oh so if you notice my Instagram

page is not about endorsements are not

about promoting a certain product or

promoting my design it's about

information yeah

that's knowledge sharing yeah so uh

after reference probably you should

notice what their designs are all the

three Architects keep their designs

together roam around their projects once

and see if you like if you like the look

and feel that product of you like

roaming around their project

see the that is it and on the basis of

that you have to take a call whether you

want to hire that architect or not do

you think it is beneficial for me to go

with somebody who has a team of vendors

with them do you think I need to look at

the number of years of experience

foreign

I know what you mean very nice uh

can you guide us through the process of

building or

once you do that is

relationship with the client when does

it start and in your purview of the job

via construction stage where does it end

see we try to stick as long as possible

with the client

decisions

so we don't leave that hand until they

are finished okay uh roughly tentatively

a project inside maximum to them to the

max okay I'm talking about residential

project commercial projects take even

more time

in this journey that he has started you

have to you have to be with them during

this journey so one of my mentors so he

told me once came

again

family Architects

our design process

you kind of become a part of their

family right and that is what we try to

achieve with our training

we give the best possible thing they

want yeah uh family friend we were

talking about when he was building his

own um

you know he came out with them and he

said yeah

you know so I'm creating two guest

bedrooms I'm creating a TV room I'm

creating a I don't know activity room

and you know I'm doing everything for

the kids

that is where the architect comes in and

he he tries to control that fomo

that's like my idol project now which I

foresee well designed

um vastu Pro

against

very sensitive equipment

that my mother is seeing this podcast

then I have to say Pro okay

what do you think but there's a thin

line there's a thin line yeah you have

to at times uh follow us

as much as possible but as per the

clients whatever

sometimes sometimes okay sometimes okay

and but you we would rather make it all

was to prove for your clients so that no

satisfaction yes

but you must have done homes for people

who don't care much about vastu and

they're happy in their houses but I tend

to keep that thing in mind okay the

basic the basics

that's there uh

there is a whole push from the

government today about getting into

basically Bringing Down the cost of

housing

is

they've been trying to bring a

constructed home to all individuals in

India right

values

expectations now how does one actually

in today's environment inflated

especially raw material how does one

bring down their cost of housing today

see this thing this has been going for

ages now later

he also read that rnl will cost housing

mother there are a lot of housings okay

low cost terms

a few of them were successful a few of

them burned

me if you talk about bringing down the

cost of construction then I think you

should go back to the independence then

the government didn't have money yeah so

they came up with different things they

started innovating like IPC flooring

it's Indian potato cement flooring so

that flooring was basically cement a

layer of cement on the floor

by adding marble chips to it okay if you

still go to Old independent hierarchy

buildings or government buildings

oh and that is very long lasting

yeah this these are the things that

brings down the costing not compromising

on the structure at all uh initially

College of buildings everything was done

on site right uh casting beside paper

concrete

foreign

now things are being manufactured in a

factory and brought to the site are

installed and

and maybe it is inflation over the time

but do you think if we actually fall

back to the same methods because

vernacular okay vernacular construction

is basically using the raw materials

that is around you okay just say if I go

to an Old Village or some place

construction is very different from what

is happening here if you bring that

vernacular touch

plastered walls

and I think these Concepts should be

brought

two bigger cities now

that way we should learn from these

actually

Italian florins right

um

modern housing versus old houses like we

were just discussing

um I've seen that there is a lot of lot

more systems required to support a

modern house

compared to an old house do you think

it's the house or do you think it's the

people in it

is

I don't know so do you think the

requirement has gone up or do you think

that everybody everybody

foreign

people try to as in try to move out of

their area

we get the we get the best of things for

ourselves

yeah and how useful it is to you and

yourself honestly speaking when does

they have to sell their material yeah

they will never tell them the downsides

or anything like that

it eats into the hardware it eats into

the electronics it eats eats into a lot

of systems and India has a lot of dust

you need to see the practicality of that

system working into our environment

uh we are moving towards a carbon

neutral scenario across the globe in

fact there is a push from the Indian

government also that you know by a

certain amount of years we have to

reduce carbon emissions uh you're

looking at Green buildings conceptually

at least

I don't know if that is the gist of it

or maybe they've done something for it

see everybody has their own take on it

with green buildings the process starts

right from the construction bit the

simple shortest example when I was when

I just started reading the Green

Building

so at the entry you should have two

puddles filled with water

so once the truck leaves those key

s

that is where the green architecture

element starts from

green architecture you're focusing yeah

building with the cube there are a lot

of things one can focus on article

air conditioned systems

they are energy efficient more than that

if you put solar plants and grid payoff

transfer careers are electricity there

is or there are all bells and whistles

that you can find but obviously green

architecture such things come with the

cost as well

um since this is a more from at least

from my end it's a very material Centric

podcast that I'm doing so just a minute

I I want to come back to that and I want

to ask you how you how basically do you

decide on a boq of materials how they

how do you basically convertki konsa

Steel

cement concrete grade XYZ and building

on how do you come about cpuq the full

term as Universe bill of quantities you

have to add everything

when I give it to the client there are a

lot of things that one has to look at

the brand the grade that you mentioned

and all these grades uh they're a basic

Norm that you have to follow like in

today's day when I talk to my structure

consultant so there is a certain kg of

Steel you have to put per square feet

for the structure to sustain it okay and

over that is your wish if you want to

make a better structure for yourself but

below that is a risky situation so

equals

steel Fe 500 or SC 550d which one which

one we want to use cement OPC or PPC 43

grade or 53 grid yeah there are a lot of

things a bill of quantities means these

things have to be clearly mentioned

starting from with cement we are using

the company name the brand name upper

supposedly

people often tend to forget certain

really small costs Freight charges

that is

what do you think you can actually

tightly budget your boq at the very

beginning

but do you think if that you budgeted

properly at the very beginning that will

make a difference with somebody uh in in

terms of bringing the cost down uh well

Architects try to try and do that but if

the owner wants to switch to a higher

grade then searching is different yeah

yeah that is a different thing all

together but yes there is a there is a

10 to 20 margins okay usually okay

so that is that is what if you talk

about TurnKey projects there are certain

clients who come in and they're like

okay and if he if he give them a boq or

a budget on the basis or a contract

basically on the basis of that then usme

up they want everything

but at the same time they don't want to

spend so I think what we came up with

the solution for that was that we work

on percentage basis there

that will help you with everything you

give us whatever you ten percent

whatever we discuss on you give us that

public

so there is there is a solution to

everything

okay uh in terms of that what about the

myth which says you know hiring an

architect is very costly do you agree

with that

now I know you're an Architects

but do you agree with this is

so the cost of not hiring and not hiring

an architecture

okay agreed so a real estate market

future 2023 bullish

stable stable

that sounds like a very honest answer uh

real estate as an investment not 2003

long term

real estate has always been good for

long term so the order is being good

that's true

right that is something

very nice very very nice uh boss it was

wonderful to actually have a sit down

with you and talk to you thank you for

coming around thank you for having me I

will keep on bugging you by the way this

is not done foreign

next session we'll schedule it soon and

uh thank you for coming thank you for

your time thank you for having me

awesome man awesome