Avinash Borkar speaks about his career as an architect and the firm which he runs with his wife, Gauri.
Avinash spent his early childhood in different places as his father was a bank officer; and was transferred every two to three years. He studied in various schools and explored different parts of the country, which helped him, become an outgoing person.
He completed his graduation from Goa College of Architecture in 1996 and went on to do his post graduation from YCMOU in 2009. He speaks on his journey to becoming an architect. “My father’s friend Suresh Kode was an architect in Kankavli, and I had seen him drawing plans, which fascinated me and drew me towards that creative profession. I was in 7th standard then and told my mother that I would like to become an architect.”
During his architecture course of 5 years, Avinash began working with an engineering firm, and could immediately start his architectural practice as soon as he graduated. In college he met his life partner, Arch. Gauri and she joined him as a business partner in 1998. Later he went on to specialize in interior decoration after completing training in Mumbai with renowned architect, Ar. Bharat Gandhi, where he gained a lot of knowledge on interiors and Vastu Shastra. He runs his firm, Gauravi Creations India, with his wife, Gauri.
Some of the key projects which they have worked on include their work as consultants for Medispray, Metatab, and (sis.con. CIPLA), Eepee Industries, Jayashri Polymers, Metpro Industries, and Colorcon Asia Pvt. Ltd. Their interior designing portfolio has projects like designing and execution of Goa Marino Resort at Dabolim, Shikara Resorts, Mobor, Hotel VIVA at Margao; execution and modification of 24 rooms for Heritage Village Club at Arossim; and 50 rooms for Radisson Resorts at Candolim. They have worked on projects in Goa for non-residential builders like Vrinda Builders, Delhi, DMAG Group of Constructions and Builders, Gurgaon, Pass Steel Constructions and Builders, Mumbai, Pavan Builders, Pune, Trackvision Pvt. Ltd. Delhi, Atharva Developers and Builders, Panvel, Kalp Developers and Builders, Kankavli, Maharashtra and Vianar Constructions and Builders, Delhi.
In addition to this, they have worked as resident architects for the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court’s new complex shaping up at Porvorim, Sanjay School at Porvorim and Vasco; and the Martyrs Memorial, Patradevi.
Avinash says that his basic strength is designing for clients. “We involve our clients in the project and enhance their ideas to give them more than their expectations. We are always inclined to use eco-friendly materials which we procure from the source supplier, thus helping our clients save money. We update ourselves with the latest trends and materials available; which makes our design more innovative and trendy.” Avinash is part of Business Networking International, Goa Chapter. This has helped him widen the way to look at business and opportunities. “It gave me the vision to look beyond business and to develop myself as a better presenter. How to work ‘on’ the business rather than ‘in’ the business is well understood with BNI training and education systems thus paving the way on how we can ‘Give’ More to ‘Get’ More. We have helped members of BNI to get an additional business of 21 crores in my last 10 years of association with them, and have also managed to get a business of 6 crores at the same time,” says Avinash emphatically.
Regarding his future plans, Avinash says that they have a few national and international projects in hand. “We would certainly like Gauravi Creations India, to become one of the leading firms in complete project management and a consultancy firm, recognized for its quality design and projects. We are also planning to open an office in Kolhapur and Bangalore; and later in Mozambique and Zambia with our associates”
