Access Architects
Renowned for curating innovative and sustainable solutions in today’s rapidly changing built environment, Access Architects is one of the most prolific architectural firms based in Mumbai. The company was founded in 1981 by architect, interior designer and urbanist, Atul Shah and is now joined by his son, Jay Shah and his nephew, Anuj Shah as the company’s Directors. The team of Access Architects encompasses a group of highly qualified, creative architects who aim to execute architectural designs while combining disciplines of architecture and interior design to achieve a seamless project for the client. Access Architects specialises in master planning and architectural design while aiming to provide value improving practices. A boutique architecture firm, it is one of the First Architectural offices that adopted the use of computers to design structures in the early 90s and is a pioneer user of BIM software, 3d scanners & printers, and virtual reality (VR) that help fabricate better living environments. The firm has well incorporated the use of immersive reality in their approach towards design and understand that the world of 3D virtual engineering is fast growing.
Access Architects is eminent for delivering highly functional designs while using maximum FSI. The team is dedicated to the exploration of space & the built environment while making use of technology to efficiently attain shared goals with the client for the projects. With their unwavering commitment to bring forth unique solutions to complex design challenges, they are breaking barriers in parameters that affect architecture and design. With an array of accomplished architects and senior associates, they build design solutions that allow for cost-effective and fast construction while being the first firms to use steel and precast concrete technology. This construction technique allows designs to perfectly merge the economics of cost with the need for contemporary design style.
The firm’s design philosophy is to ‘look beyond today’ and constant efforts are made to ensure that clients receive cutting edge design in terms of implementation & innovation. The remarkable team of Access Architects began with Abhijeet Raje who joined Ar. Atul Shah in 1994 and has been the leading designer in innumerable projects accomplishing functional design approach & planning efficient layouts. The other senior associate with them is Mayuri who joined them 20 years ago and has numerous exceptional designs under her belt. Rajashree Leheri, the senior architect at their firm joined them in 2017 and has been working on all the residential projects undertaken by Access Architects. With an avid experience at her prior firms in residential and commercial designs, she delivers the planned layouts with skilful efficiency.
Access Architects have always envisioned collaborating with differing architectural design principles and creating a partnership of the structure with its immediate environment. Being sensitive and observant to the client’s needs and lifestyle, the team works at introducing them to creative design ideations and innovative design solutions. With the overall architectural background and experience of the entire team, Access Architects is one of the leading architectural consultant firms to deliver suitable design and structural construction layouts. They hold unparalleled advanced knowledge of zoning codes, ordinances and development standards.
To continually improve their design and technological skills, they have introduced a research cell in their firm called Derive. Through this research cell, they have dedicated themselves to the examinations and the study to the spectrum of the field of design. With Derive, they intend to form an in-depth analysis of construction methodology and the costs benefits that come with it. This research cell also allows them to explore the facade study and climate effects that permit the use of correct glass facade suitable to the local climate. This study analysis has aided the team in developing efficient designs that can be constructed with significantly low costs and time. To achieve quality and speed in their design business growth, they have also developed a proprietary phased design work process called ‘Access Project Work Process (APWP)’. This integrated process helps define a business opportunity that reduces the overall cost of clients project to meet the clients business objectives. Through APWP, they are able to effectively utilise resources to conduct projects while reducing the overall project time cycle.
With a strong foothold in both architecture and urban design, they have a plethora of projects that range from famous structures such as The Ruby for Ruby Mills which was the tallest commercial building of 2004 and Rohan Lifescapes, Sofitel for Accord India, Saarthi for Naman Group, & Washington House for Lodha Developers to name a few. Access Architects are renowned to have designed the Tallest Commercial building in South Asia, The Ruby, a 1.5 million sq. ft 191m tall IT building in Dadar, Mumbai. They have also proudly worked on The Altimo which is Mumbai’s first skinny tower at 185m on a plot of 583 sq. m. while the Lodha Altamount is a design collaboration with an international architect. Winning them accolades, Sofitel is one of the most iconic 5-star Hotels in BKC, Mumbai and The Rupa Rennaissance is a magnificent Avante-Garde mixed-use project turning heads with the steel construction. Another project that boasts of energy-efficient design in steel is the residence tower, Sunteck 4Th Avenue. The awards achieved are a testament to their exponential growth in providing architectural expertise. Some of the umpteen awards won by them are; Golden Brick Awards in 2016, World Luxury Hotel awards 2018 and the ACCE simplex awards for innovative design of structures. Over the years, Access Architects have built a strong media base with features in esteemed publications like Architect & Interiors India, MGS Architecture, Construction Planning & Operations et al.
Building not only structures but long-lasting client relationships, Access Architects understand that successful designs are best achieved through effective partnerships of all project stakeholders formulating functional architectural designs. Constantly seeking to produce high-quality work delivered on time, Access Architects are the keystones who define efficient beauty through functional aesthetics.
