GTA Architects

The Firm

George Teena and Associates Architects is a design oriented Architectural firm based at Adoor in Kerala, India. Our core disciplines include architecture, planning, interiors and landscape.

We concentrate primarily on residential architecture. At our studio, we create solutions through a process of careful study of context and requirements, site analysis and exploration of ideas. Our spaces are designed with optimum light and ventilation, which we believe (know) have the potential to positively engage the end users through harmony and order. Our process is a collaborative exercise involving the owners, builders and craftsmen to achieve adaptive buildings that respond well to human needs over their years of occupancy. We do not strive to define a signature style; rather we like to approach each project individually, allowing each design to evolve from its own context and specific requirements.

Design Philosophy

“I like design to be semantically correct, syntactically consistent and pragmatically understandable. I like it to be visually powerful, intellectually elegant and above all timeless." – MASSIMO VIGNELLI

Like many modern architects and designers, we also believe that the timeless ideals of simplicity, organization and beauty can create true design. Our struggle continues to be in proving that design is not just about appearances.

“The life of a designer is a life of fight: a fight against the ugliness. " – MASSIMO VIGNELLI

In order to keep away ugliness in design, we try to create design solutions that are logical and usable. We believe that the true form of a building achieved from a structured design method is beautiful.

“The fundamental requirement that an object needs to be considered ‘beauty’ is that it doesn’t conflict with practicality.” – ADOLF LOOS

We also consider additional ornamentation unnecessary. In the overall context of the design, the sequence of spaces and the experiential quality within is more important than decoration.

People

George Jacob

Since beginning his own formal practice in 2000, George has been involved in the design of numerous residences, religious and educational buildings. After pursuing M.Arch from LTU Michigan, he has worked as project architect with Moseley Architects, USA on several Leed certified institutional buildings. As principal designer at GTA since 2010, George provides the firm with senior leadership and design talent and plays a major role in determining the firm's long-term mission, direction and goals. He provides leadership by not only coordinating the team and planning each project, but by encouraging innovative and creative design thinking.

Teena Mathai

After completing undergraduate architectural studies at T.K.M College of Engineering, she joined the practice in 2001. Currently,as Design Associate at GTA Architects She balances her time between active involvement in design & production, with a broader responsibility for management of the practice.

Dipu George

Dipu is a Partner and Senior Designer at GTA since the firms inception in 2010. His diligent passion for design has seen him transcending into industrial Design as well since his graduation from IDC, IIT Mumbai. He has been a faculty at the Department of Architecture MES Engineering College, Kuttipuram, and has worked with Design Combine Cochin on several prestigious projects. With his multidisciplinary experience, Dipu incorporates innovative and creative thinking in all aspects of his work with GTA.

Projects

Frequently Asked Questions

Asking Questions and Clarifying your queries about the design and professional services will help you understand your Architect. Prospective clients are encouraged to do this before even hiring the Architect as selecting the right person to do your job is very important in getting the right outcome.

What services do you provide?

We provide architectural design services for residential buildings. We also provide interior design and landscape planning for our architectural design projects. Please contact us and we can email you a detailed description of our services.

What type of projects do you handle?

Currently, we are handling residential projects only.

Do you undertake renovation/ extension projects?

No. We are not enthusiastic about renovation/ extension projects. Due to the nature of such projects, they demand extensive study of existing structures, close monitoring of construction and much more site visits than new projects. At present, we are not equipped to undertake renovation/ extension projects

Do you have an area limit for undertaking projects?

No, area is not a concern for undertaking new projects.

Do you consider Vaastu in your projects?

Vaastu is the ancient science of creating built environments that are in harmony with the elements of nature. Sadly, however, it is being misinterpreted these days for various reasons and its usage is not based on authenticity or context. Our layouts are generally agreeable with Vaasthu design guidelines. But we do not provide Vaastu consultation or design projects to cater to all the Vaastu suggestions provided from clients’ side. In short, we do not entertain projects in which Vaastu is a primary concern.

If we bring sketches, would you create the plans and elevations based on our ideas?

No. It will not benefit you if we work out your ideas. If you bring your sketches, that will limit our creativity and we will not be able to provide you our best solution. We like to start our thinking based on the context and the functional requirement.

We already have a plan, would you prepare a suitable elevation?

No. We do not work like that. Plans and elevations are merely a representation of a building design. We prefer to follow a process while designing, which starts with understanding the clients’ requirements, site potential and limitations. As a result, we can only conceive the building as a whole and create a customized product for each client.

What are your design principles?

We believe good designs are the result of a simplistic and holistic approach. The built forms in totality with the interiors and landscape should enrich the experience of its users and better their lifestyles. Buildings should be responsive to nature, climate, time frame during which they are built, site context and most of all to the needs of the end user.

How would you describe your architectural style?

Our designs are a composition of simple, minimal and pure forms evolved from the use of traditional theories and values in the modern context. Even though we do not have a specific style, we make sure that each building is instilled with an architectural character that echoes throughout the built form and its settings.

How and where should we arrange to have our first meeting?

We prefer to have the first meeting at our office after fixing a prior appointment. We can introduce each other as well as discuss the project requirements. We can exchange our viewpoints and we will provide you with a sample of our services agreement. If you feel comfortable with our architectural language, time schedule and fees, you can get back to us at your convenient time and we can take up from there.

When will you visit our site? Should we pay you for the first site visit?

After our first meeting at the office, we will inform of a convenient time to make the site visit. If the site is outside Adoor, we expect reimbursement for our time and travelling expenses. This is mainly because of the uncertainty whether the project will be realized or not.

What are your charges for providing design services?

Our services agreement is planned for two types of design service; the fee is based on the service level chosen by the client. If you are interested to know more, we can email you our standard services agreement which has detailed description of our services and charges.

Do you require an advance fee before starting our project?

Yes, we need to receive an advance payment in order to start the project. This will help us to identify our serious clients.

Do you provide site supervision?

The number of site visits for an entire project is mentioned in our standard services agreement. It depends on the service level which is chosen by the client. We find it difficult to cover a site over short notice. We provide site visits at pre-determined intervals to make sure the project is progressing in accordance with our drawings and specifications. However, It is the clients’ responsibility to appoint a qualified site supervisor who will take charge of the construction. We cannot be responsible for supervising beyond the scope mentioned in our agreement.

Do you provide the list and quantity of building materials required for the construction?

We provide a cost estimate for our highest service level. Detailed Bill of Quantities shall be an additional service and will be charged separately.

Do you provide 3-Dimensional renderings / animations for your projects?

We provide a 3D sketches and images for the client to understand the design and details. However any photorealistic renderings or walkthrough animations for marketing purposes shall be charged separately.

What do you require from us before starting our project?

We will require a surveyed plan of the site to suitable scale showing contours if the site has a sloping gradient. The drawing should be in digital format preferably as a CAD document. Photos can be included to help us get a feel of the site, its setting and surroundings. And of course include a fee advance and we can get started!

Working with an Architect

If you’ve never worked with an architect before, you likely have questions. Does your project really require an architect? At what point should you involve a design team? What is it like to work with an architect, and how do you get the most out of the experience? Unlike buying a new car or new appliance, you cannot see the product and test it out. The architect provides a professional service, not a product. The right architect will be the one who can provide the judgment, technical expertise, and creative skills—at a reasonable cost—to help you realize a project that fits your practical needs as well as your dreams.

Finding the right Architect

Each architect has an individual style, approach to design, and method of work. So, it is important to find an architect who is compatible with your style and needs. Build a list of possibilities.

Ask around.

Find out who has designed some projects in your community that you like. Get recommendations from friends, relatives, and acquaintances that have worked with architects. Check to see if the architect is a member of The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA). Membership in the IIA means that the architect subscribes to a high professional purpose to advance standards of practice and service to society. This includes having a Code of Ethics and access to a variety of professional and technical resources

Call each firm on your short list

Describe your project and ask if they are available. If so, request literature that outlines the firm’s qualifications and experience. If the office is unable to handle your project, ask if they can recommend another firm.

Interview each firm.

Interviewing a firm gives you a chance to meet the people who will design your project and to learn if the chemistry between you is right. You may be working with your architect for a long time, so look for someone with whom you feel comfortable. Allow at least an hour for the interview, preferably at the architect’s office where you can see where the work will be done. Some architects charge for the interview; ask if there is a fee.

Visit previous project or clients

Visit at least one project completed by the architect. Also, ask for references from past clients. To a large extend, these will help to identify whether you will be comfortable with the methodology and the taste of the architect.

Hiring an Architect

Should You Hire an Architect?

Few people realize how complicated a building project can be until they are in the middle of it and nothing is going the way it should. An architect is the one professional with the education and training to help you make the best decisions in the building process.
Architects are trained to solve problems in creative ways. Whether you need room for a growing family or for a growing business, by employing an architect you can save money on your project, make life easier, and end up with a result that meets your needs and your budget.

How Are Architects Compensated for Their Work?

An architect’s fee will vary based on many factors. As in most professions, the experience of the architect will determine the hourly rate an individual will charge. The size and complexity of a project is also a major consideration when an architect evaluates the scope of work involved. No two projects are alike. Every building project has its own unique challenges; therefore, an architect’s fee is not based on design work alone. It reflects design, project management, zone and code reviews, and construction administration, among other potential contractual responsibilities.
Some architects base their fee on a percentage of construction costs or on a stipulated sum per unit area of what is to be built, others may agree to a fixed fee prior to starting the work, while some prefer to bill by the hour. Clients are encouraged to discuss with an architect the advantages and disadvantages of a specific fee basis for a particular project.
Follow the link to know more about the mandatory minimum Scale of Professional Charges stipulated by the Council of Architecture

How Is a Construction Budget Established?

It is quite likely that a construction project will be one of the largest purchases any of us will make in our life. Just as with other large expenditures like a car, each individual must evaluate the qualitative and quantitative criteria and balance their desires with their ability to pay for it.
Unlike a car there are no showrooms displaying examples of finished products from which to choose. Each project is unique and contains its own set of programmatic information, which must be evaluated by an architect and discussed with a client so the project is clearly defined before work begins.

Questions you should ask yourself

How much time and energy are you willing to invest to maintain your home?
If you are thinking of adding on, what functions/activities will be housed in a new space?
What do you think the addition/renovation/new home should look like? Do you have strong ideas about design styles?
How much can you realistically afford to spend?
Who will be the primary contact for those involved in designing and building your project? (It is good to have one point of contact to prevent confusion and mixed messages.)
What qualities are you looking for in an architect?

Questions you should ask your Architect

What does the architect see as important issues or considerations in your project? What are the project’s challenges?
How will the architect approach your project and gather information about your needs, goals, etc?
How will the architect establish priorities and make decisions?
Who from the architecture firm will you deal with directly? Is he/she the same person who will design the project? If not, who will design your project?
How interested is the architect in this project? How busy is the architect?
What sets this architect apart from the rest?
How does the architect establish fees? What would the architect expect the fee to be for this project?
What are the steps in the design process? How does the architect organize the process? What does the architect expect you to provide?
What is the architect’s design philosophy? Will the architect show you models, drawings, or sketches to explain the project?
What is the architect’s track record with cost estimating? If the scope of the project changes, will there be additional fees? How will these fees be justified?
What services does the architect provide during construction?
How long does the architect expect it to take to complete your project?
Does the architect have a list of past clients that his/her firm has worked with?