Sneha Gurjar is an architect with exceptional professional aptitude who has more than 15 years of experience developing and overseeing significant infrastructure projects nationwide in the fields of institutional, industrial, residential, and residential development. She has led the creation of numerous projects over the years, including communication infrastructure, blast-resistant buildings, radiochemical laboratories, nuclear safety structures, and facilities for managing nuclear waste. Sneha graduated from the TVB School of Habitat Studies from Indraprastha University in 2007.
CEO Insights recently got a chance to interact with Sneha, wherein she shared his insights on how the requirements of an engineering or a design based firm have changed holistically with innovative technology. Also, she mentioned the challenges and advancements in technology when designing mission-critical infrastructure goals. Below are the excerpts from the exclusive interview.
What leadership skills do you find crucial for managing diverse and complex projects like communication infrastructure, tunneling, and institutional design, and how do you effectively motivate multidisciplinary teams to achieve successful project outcomes?
Complex construction projects are unique and driven by several factors impacted by project cost, project schedules and quality. To streamline the various industrial processes, projects must be executed with an aligned vision of thought that combines social and sustainable consciousness with robust designs and cutting-edge building technologies. Drawing from a rich legacy of advanced research and innovation to create sustainable and durable projects, we must operate to contribute to India’s broad construction landscape significantly.
"The success of a design/engineering firm depends heavily on its projects & their impact on the urban fabric & its users"
Executing some of the most complex and large scale infrastructure developments in the country, we operate with a diverse team of architects, engineers, project managers, scientists and subject experts who work on highly technical and advanced aspects of construction. Imbibing a practice that combines social and sustainable consciousness with robust designs and cutting-edge building technologies, our team continuously aspires to be one of the most influential practices in India and bring that passion into their work.
How do you promote innovation and creativity within your firm to drive continuous improvement and excellence in design and engineering?
The evolving needs of the industry, founders and employees today have made architectural or design practices unrecognizably different from how these firms operated just a decade ago. Integrated with the constant innovative technology boom, the requirements of an engineering or a design-based firm have changed holistically.
The endeavor to better project delivery with every new project needs to be constant, with a comprehensive approach to all stages of project development from concept to design to execution and a deep understanding of the complexity of the design process. In addition, every design decision is considered by understanding its impact on cost management and its value to architecture.
The success of a design/engineering firm depends heavily on its projects and their impact on the urban fabric and its users. Ensuring a creative and hard working team passionate about work, positively learning and growing in a healthy work environment will reflect in the designs produced by the firm. If approached with the right attitude and knowledge, any firm can deliver innovative, technologically advanced and sustainable projects that can lead it to success.
How do you balance short-term business goals with long-term sustainability objectives when designing interventions or implementing changes?
Businesses are operating in a rapidly changing environment today. New technologies are popping up frequently, markets are changing, end-to-end expectations are evolving, and business structure is also changing.
Balancing between short-term and longer-term objectives requires changing lenses frequently. Focus on organizational learning and innovation is maintained across projects; it's the short-term goals which demand shifts and balance along the way. Hinging decisions on long-term goals may not aid the business in the short term but would align with the core values in the long run.
How do you address the evolving challenges and advancements in technology when designing mission-critical infrastructure, and how do you future-proof these projects to accommodate potential future needs?
The technology and tools available today aid in deliberate decision-making through an understanding of long-term behavior and impact at all levels of the project from design analysis to execution. Tools and technology have enabled us through all stages of a given project. From data collection to setting base lines during the pre-design stage to adaptation and resilience planning for the intended design life, design benchmarks, reviewing, project management, budget management, quality management and timely delivery of projects.
Today's dataset available for design is far greater than at any time in history. This has offered unique possibilities and advantages as projects become increasingly complex and challenging. It also helps predict future expansion and adaptation possibilities in design, giving designers foresight and projects more flexibility through data-driven designs.
Can you provide insights into your vision for the future of these project domains and how your leadership skills will contribute to driving progress and positive impact in the industry?
Being a firm believer in simplifying complex designs and engineering problems drives me to bring an inside-out approach to these projects. With over 15 years of experience in communication infrastructure and nation-building projects, I understand the challenging process and innovative interventions required at both the design and project delivery ends. The scale and function of these projects impact the nation and its economy, making them a crucial sector in the country's development. An extensive experience in this niche infrastructural category makes it easier to build a strong team that can approach the design with passion, hard work and innovative solutions. We are expanding in the logistics and infrastructure sector with both government-sector initiatives as well as private-sector investments. We are also excited about how disruptive technologies are shaping the future of the construction industry and are trying to incorporate them into our designs to overcome specific challenges faced on our projects. For example, we are trying to incorporate 3D printing for faster construction in remote locations and the use of AI during the construction phase to better the HSE standards on projects.