Coffee with a Designer Presents onespace Associate and Architect, Dharminder Dhillon

At onespace we love talking to people and continuously learn from their expertise and experiences. Our goal is to get inside their heads to find out what fuels their passions. To continue our architect interviews, we present, Dharminder Dhillon.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

"My inspiration comes from a design that connects you with the future, while keeping the reflection of historic architecture."

When did you know you wanted to be an Architect?

"I spent all of my youth living in “Chandigarh” which was one of the early planned cities in post-independent India, and is internationally known for its architecture and urban design. The master plan of the city was prepared by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. Most of the government buildings and housing in the city was designed by the CCP team headed by Le Corbusier, Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry. In 2015, an article published by BBC named Chandigarh as one of the few master-planned cities in the world to have succeeded in terms of combining monumental architecture, cultural growth, and modernisation. I started doing 3D models of buildings and neighbourhoods as a student and realized that I have an interest in architecture and construction work."

In your opinion, what is the most important aspect of design?

"Function combined with form is the most important aspect of the design."

If you could live in any era what would it be?

"If I had the chance to live in any era, I would like to go back to the English Renaissance dating from the late 15th century to the early 17th century."

Do you have a favourite material or building element that you prefer using in design?

"A combination of concrete finish with a touch of stone or burnt brick is my favourite for residential. For Commercial, I would prefer the glass with Stone finish."

If you could pick anywhere in the world to live where would it be, and why?

"I love living in Canada, it is a country with such an abundance of scenic beauty and lakes. I would love to live in a suburban area surrounded by lake and trees."