Deepali Pandey, CEO at A+D Design Studio

Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?

Deepali Pandey : I did my Bachelors of architecture from GCA Lucknow,During Bachelors degree my main focus is to design with nature.then I passed Gate Examination and applied for Masters in Landscape architecture in one of the best institute in India,I got a selection in School of planning and architecture New Delhi.During Masters we have worked on various master planning projects in urban,Domestic,Regional level and successfully completed my masters in landscape architecture and got the Gold Medal for the Best Outgoing student year and recipient of the Narendra Juneja Gold Medal for the Best Thesis Project 2011,Department of Landscape architecture, New Delhi

After working for 8 years with two of the largest and most prominent landscape architecture firms in the India and started my own firm A + D Design Studio. I have gained extensive design experience on many notable hotels, resorts, residential developments throughout India and have had the opportunity to work with foreign Architects and many other Private Developers and Private Corporates.

Landscape architecture focuses on the relationship between people and the environment. As the world’s population grows the pressure on our resources increases. People are more aware nowadays of the importance of preserving the environment and because of this, landscape architecture is now viewed as more important than it used to be in architecture, we keep building design & planning in mind but landscape has been ignored considerably,I think it is a very important parameter. Regeneration of polluted areas,Climate change and pollution are severely affecting freshwater supply in many areas.The endangerment of wetlands is especially big problem because they have a lot of biological diversity, filter stormwater and control floods.Landscape architecture protects wetlands and seeks solutions to provide storm-water management in a natural way.Landscape is a very important factor for the benefit of our environment, that's why I took my business forward,We work on projects ranging in size from large-scale master planning commissions to mid-sized institutions to small urban interventions. Regardless of scale or typology, our multi-disciplinary design staff create environmentally advanced, technical projects, promoting greater social engagement and ecology for every project.

Great Companies: What are the various Services provided by A+D Design Studio

Deepali Pandey :

LANDSCAPE MASTER PLANNING - Typically applied to large scale residential or mixed use developments, these services establish overall landscape character for the project. Deliverables are depicted through the preparation of illustrative plans, sections, elevations, character imagery and hand drawn perspective sketches.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SERVICES - Detailed landscape design services that evolve from highly graphic conceptual visuals into highly technical documents intended for site construction implementation purposes. A + D Design Studio documentation is of the highest quality, yet simple enough for the Client's understanding and contractor's use for implementation purposes, even in the most remote of locations.

• Landscape Master Planning

• Landscape Planning and Design

• Parks and Recreation Planning

• Golf Course Landscape

• Exterior Hardscape

• Water Feature and Pool Planning

• Planting and Irrigation

• Landscape Maintenance and Remedial Programming

• LEED and Low Impact Development Strategies

• Streetscapes

• Urban Design

• Graphics and Site Modeling

• Construction Documents

• Bidding and Construction Contract Administration

• Physical Planning

Great Companies: What makes A+D Design Studio different from hundreds of other landscape architect firms?

Deepali Pandey:

• Provide design excellence throughout every aspect of each project

• Procure good quality projects that offer challenges with rewarding results

• Ensure a proactive approach through all aspects of business

• Establish strong working relationships with reputable Clients

• Be available for Clients

• Offer competitive and reasonable professional fees

• Be successful and profitable

• Pay extra special attention to detail

• Hire knowledgeable, good quality and trustworthy staff

• Promote an environmental design approach as appropriate for each project

• Be flexible and unique in business approach

• Offer casual and an enjoyable work environment

Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face?

Deepali Pandey: As a Landscape architect the challenge we have always faced”—defining and communicating what landscape architecture is, both to the public and to other design professionals, to ensure that the value of landscape architects’ work is understood and recognized. Other recurring topics included the economy, finding work, dealing with limited project budgets, competition, climate change, and water scarcity.

Though such challenges can seem insurmountable at times, there is still a great deal of optimism to be found. For some, “There has never been a better time to be a landscape architect.” And as one respondent put it:“Today we have great opportunities to redefine public spaces, as the value of parks and innovative open space design are in the news and have the eyes of the public. We need to use this momentum and set the standard for excellent open space design; these are exciting times for landscape architects!”

Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for A+D Design Studio?

Deepali Pandey: I do not have a precise role in mind, but my aim over the next five years is to be at a place where I can make a difference as a Landscape architect. Business advancement is significant to me, so I look forward to taking on more responsibilities and gaining more industry awareness in the process. Hopefully my Landscape professionalism will allow me to help the business achieve the desired goals in the coming years.I have to push myself further and work hard so that I can take my business to the point that I dreamed of.

Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

Deepali Pandey : Follow 4 D's Desire, Dedication, Determination and Discipline. Don't believe in Luck,Believe in Hard work.