Why clients keep coming back to ARUP DATTA ARCHITECT LTD
Written by Angela Lovell |Since he left India for Canada nearly 50 years ago, Arup Datta has built a resume that includes some of the largest, most high-profile developments in the world including West Edmonton Mall and Mall of America.
He leads the Calgary-based Arup Datta Architect Ltd., which has a steady and strong roster of committed clients and an
Published by Courtney Lovgren
impressive track record of delivering creative and cost-effective designs and has just celebrated its 35th anniversary. The formula for ADAL’s longevity is clear: focus on people; keep up with the trends; maximize each project’s potential (and always try to stay within budget!) ADAL’s clients can count on Arup and his team’s many years of experience and expertise to deliver unique solutions tailored to their needs.
Photo by Courtney LovgrenPEOPLE CENTERED
Everything that ADAL does revolves around people. People live, people shop, people work, people retire and people have fun, all within the structures and landscapes that they create. Architects take an oath that everything they do will be in the public interest – ADAL embodies that oath in every project design.
The true magic, though, is in balancing the interests of everyone involved from the developer to civil planners and urban designers, engineers, contractors and end users.
That process begins with one vital but simple step: listening. Arup and the ADAL team listen carefully to the expectations of their clients, then put in the extra time and effort to understand all the other parameters that the team must consider as part of the design. Whether the project is large or small, people from many different disciplines provide input. They all have different considerations and requirements, whether that is from the perspective of the community, the environment, engineering, constructability, or usability. The team is known for its ability to bring everyone to a consensus by delivering design concepts that are viable, uniquely creative and consistently exceed expectations.
“Our clients are smart and progressive, and they are constantly watching the changes in the market, so we need to fully understand their objectives and those of the city planners and urban designers, evaluate all the options and provide ideas and solutions,” Arup says. “If we need clarification, we go back. We will go that extra mile and that is what brings the most value to our clients.”
Each project has its own challenges but their success hinges on two things: the knowledge base of the team and following the project through to completion. They will stay with the project, do all the necessary due diligence, and be there at every step, objectively and patiently working to clear any hurdles to the approvals process.
STAYING CURRENT
The architectural industry is constantly changing, and ADAL works hard to stay abreast of emerging trends, new technology, updates to regulations and codes, and the changing needs of clients and the sectors they serve.
Walden Heights Community, Calgary Alberta. Photo by Merle Prosofsky.
“We have to be more intuitive about all aspects of design today,” Arup says. “For example, when we are choosing flooring for a seniors’ residence, we must think about the needs of someone with dementia, or how a person with macular degeneration might feel about the lighting. There is constant evolution in the design field and we are always updating ourselves through things like courses and conferences so that we can keep up with emerging trends.”
AWARD WINNING DESIGNS
In the architectural world today, there is increasing demand
Wishing you continued success and more years of successful collaborations.
CONGRATULATIONS
ARUP DATTA ARCHITECT LTD. ON 35 YEARS! 35
