Profession: Architect
City: Jalandhar
Country: India

What inspired you to want a life in Architecture and the creative industries?:
Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by the way spaces influence human behavior. Growing up around construction sites in my family’s architecture and construction business, I found myself drawn to the blend of creativity, logic, and human experience that architecture demands. I chose this field not just to design buildings but to create meaningful, functional environments that solve real-world problems and elevate everyday life.

Who inspired you in finding your path to Architecture/Film and the creative industries?:
My biggest inspiration has been my father, who laid the foundation of our family business, Hothi & Co., in 1997. Watching him work with integrity, precision, and vision sparked my journey into architecture. Over the years, I’ve also found inspiration from international creatives and changemakers — people like Bjarke Ingels for innovative thinking and people like Neil Pinder for making architecture more inclusive and accessible.

How you unlock obstacles and overcome bias in your work?:
I believe the best way to overcome bias is through collaboration, openness, and showcasing capability through consistency. I’ve worked across local and international projects — from boutique residential to high-end hospitality — and I’ve learned that results and professionalism speak louder than assumptions. I actively invest in improving my skills, building a diverse team, and using tech-forward tools like Revit and BIM workflows to streamline communication and delivery. I try to let my work and reliability create space where bias can’t survive.

What improvements do you feel are required to promote effective change in the academic and working environment?:
We need a stronger connection between academia and practice, especially for students and young professionals. More mentorship, hands-on learning, and exposure to real project workflows are crucial. Additionally, there’s a need to embrace cultural diversity and different working models — including remote collaborations and global outsourcing — which open doors to talent from underrepresented areas. Education should teach not just how to design, but how to build resilient, ethical, and future-ready practices.