Shourya Patel and Dexter Fernandis,Founders, Uneven, Vadodra

Both of them completed their B.E. Architecture from the M.S. University of Baroda and after working for sometime with other companies in Mumbai and other places decided on starting their own business with an equal partnership.

The comfort level that the two enjoy with each other alongwith the never-ending bank of innovative ideas between the two of them gave them the courage to take the big leap of faith. “We always wanted to do something extraordinary and different from others which was not possible in a regular job, so we started our own business,’ says Shourya Patel. 

With an initial capital of Rs 50,000 both of them started their architecture firm ‘Uneven’ housed in a single room in the city in 2004. In the initial stages they did interior designing for sub 100 sq feet areas like beauty saloons and small showrooms and then moved on to designing one room houses. The innovative plus creative designs that the two conjured up soon became their trademark and the positive word of mouth that followed had the two young entrepreneurs finding themselves soon becoming highly sought after architects in the city. “We always believe in doing something innovative which clearly stands out in the crowd,” says Dexter Fernandis. Adding to that Shourya said, "one can always find myriad designs even in mundane day-to-day chores - the key lies in how the designer can perceive his environment differently and then present it to the audience in an impacting manner."

Shourya and Dexter have a distinct style of working and designing. In their words they said that any object around them is a beautiful design for them. Both of them use products or things which are scrap for the people and they transform "the scrap" into a beautiful and innovative design. The duo always designed the interiors of their customers in a different way and it would be right to say that every design is totally unique.

Shourya and Dexter are currently working on completing a prestigious Bungalows project in Vadodara which they claim to be a one-of-its-kind in Gujarat. “The project is high end in nature targeting the super elite with price tags of Rs 2 crores upwards,” said Shourya. He added that the designing and all the other surroundings are different from others and exclusive. Apart from the bungalows project the duo is also currently working on interiors, architecture, set designing, event designing, designing showrooms, restaurants and farm houses in the city.

So what is the company growth rate in the last five years - Shourya confidently said that it was more of a slow and steady growth but the main credit goes to their team - a vibrant group of young architects who were their juniors in the university.

And what of their future plans - "To design more and more houses and other establishments and give more innovative designs to people", chimed the two in unison.

In addition, Shourya said that he also looked forward to designing artisitc sets for his own films eventually. Shourya started his career as an assistant art director and worked with Sameer Chandra in many of his projects in Mumbai. Some of the films that Shourya worked as an asst. art director are Darna Zaroori Hai, Darna Mana Hai, Shiva and 123. But the most prestigious project he got during his stay in Mumbai was when he designed the interior of Ram Gopal Verma's house in Mumbai.