Ar. Bindi Saolapurkar

Architect Bindi Saolapurkar graduated from M.S. University of Baroda and holds a P.G. Diploma in Construction Management from the Annamalai University, Chennai. Practising as a founding partner in M/s Saolapurkar & Associates, Architects and Planners, for the last 25 years with offices in Bangalore and Goa. Bindi has many notable projects like showrooms, corporate offices and residential interiors to her credit. She has further specialised in the niche area of high-end kitchen and bathroom design. Bindi is an accredited member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association of America (NKBA). Her design for residential kitchen was awarded “Best kitchen – Residential category” in the India Kitchen Congress in 2019.

Ar. Bindi was the Chairperson of Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID) Bangalore for the term 2014-16. Her term as Chairperson saw the IIID Bangalore grow to new heights. Currently she is a Co-Chair of the ASSOCHAM GEM, (Green Environmental Movement) – Karnataka Chapter also involved in GEM Certification programme on sustainability. She believes that Design must become socially relevant, if we have to uplift the standard of living. She loves to resolve the challenges Design brings up, and quotes that the “Solution is contained always, within the Design Challenge”. She is a people’s person and has passion for doing greater good of society. She is the ‘Design Chair’ at the BGS School of Architecture and Planning, Bangalore.

Ar. Nitin Saolapurkar

Planning cities and conserving heritage, one considered decision at a time.

Architect, Designer, Planner and Conservationist is a Principal Partner in the firm SAOLAPURKAR & ASSOCIATES, a multidisciplinary Architectural Firm based in Bangalore, which specializes in the design and implementation of projects and studies in architecture, planning and consultancy in design and facilities. He graduated from Kalabhavan, M. S. University of Baroda, and completed his postgraduate studies in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Mysore, with three gold medals. His area of specialization is Planning of Urban Areas. Nitin Saolapurkar has vast experience in the design and implementation of projects of a diverse nature, from housing, redevelopment, infrastructure planning, renovations and interiors to industries, facilities planning and design.

He was part of the team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science sent to Gujarat for study of areas devastated by the earthquake, and to suggest ways for the reconstruction and rehabilitation with solutions in low cost housing. He is an active member of the Institute of Indian Interior Designers, where he served as National President from 2012 to 2015. He is also member of the Indian Institute of Architects, Institute of Town Planners and the Practicing Architects Association in Bangalore. He enjoys photography, reading and travelling.

Ar. Yatin G. Kandolkar

Architecture, valuation and sustainability, grounded in Goa’s places and its people.

Yatin G. Kandolkar has his office in Ponda, Goa. He passed B.Arch. from Shivaji University in 1991 and holds further qualifications: a PhD in Environmental Science, master’s degrees in Environmental Science, Development Studies, Urban Studies, Corporate Social Responsibility and Psychology, and postgraduate diplomas in Urban Planning and Development, Disaster Management, Environmental and Sustainable Development, Human Resource Management and Intellectual Property Rights. He is also associated with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India for land and building matters, and is an Independent Director of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.

He started private practice in 1993, working on architecture and interior projects for residential, commercial and industrial clients, and on valuations for financial institutions including Union Bank of India, Goa State Co-op. Bank and NKGSB Bank. He was a visiting professor at Goa College of Architecture for over 28 years (1996–2023), teaching sustainable architecture at bachelor’s and master’s level, and taught at NICMAR (2010–2018). He served on the Boards of Studies of Shivaji University from 2008 to 2018, has been a guest lecturer at Kolhapur, Mysore, Pune and Bangalore, and has delivered many lectures on valuation, interiors and architecture.

He joined the Institute of Indian Interior Designers as an associate member in 1993, served on its national board as an executive member (2006–2015) and as national honorary secretary (2012–2015), and was secretary of its Goa centre. He is a life member of the Institution of Valuers (past chairman, Goa branch, 2004–06), the Indian Council of Arbitration and the Indian Concrete Association, and has been a government-approved valuer since 2006.

His civic and NGO work includes membership of the Red Cross Society, executive membership of the International Human Rights Association, past presidency of the Kurtarkar Nagri Flats and Plot Association, past membership of Round Table Ponda 64, past presidency of the Rotary Club of Ponda Hill Town, and membership of People of Ponda. He is president of the Association for Sustainability in Building and Environment.