When Parul Battu talks about architecture, she doesn’t speak in buzzwords or grand theories. She speaks about time, responsibility, and the quiet weight of creating something that will stand long after we move on. As the Co-founder and Principal Architect of Creations, Battu has spent over 25 years shaping homes, institutions, and workspaces that are built not just to look good but to last.

Her journey into architecture began at a time when the profession was far from mainstream.

Finding Architecture Before It Found the Spotlight

More than 30 years ago, architecture was not the obvious career choice it is today. Growing up in a family with an engineering background, her father being a civil engineer, Parul Battu always had a strong inclination toward mathematics. But she also knew one thing clearly: a routine nine-to-five engineering job was not for her.

Her curiosity took shape when she was introduced to the architecture department through her father’s professional circle. Seeing architectural models, drawings, and the creative process behind them sparked something immediate. “That was the moment I felt this is what I want to do,” she recalls.

She went on to clear the architecture entrance exam, graduated as a gold medalist from NIT Bhopal, and later completed her post-graduation from SPA Delhi. What followed was hands-on exposure at some of India’s most respected architecture firms.

Learning the Scale of Responsibility

Early in her career, Battu worked with Kothari & Associates and later Vijay Gupta Architects, where she was part of large institutional and landmark projects, universities, schools, and major public buildings. These years taught her not just design, but discipline, scale, and responsibility. Working on large projects helped her understand how buildings affect ecosystems, resources, and people over decades. “I always wanted to create something timeless,” she says. Even today, she points out that a building she designed 25 years ago still looks relevant.

This belief, that buildings should not become outdated or demolished within a few decades, became central to her design thinking. For her, frequent demolition is not progress; it is waste.

Starting Creations in a Male-Dominated Industry

The late 1990s were not an easy time for women entrepreneurs, especially in construction and architecture. When Battu decided to start her own practice, the challenges were real:  contractors, vendors, boardrooms filled with men, and the constant need to prove credibility.

She started Creations while still working, slowly balancing both before taking the full leap. Her partner, who manages execution and logistics, played a key role in supporting the business side, allowing her to focus on design and supervision.

“There were times I cried,” she admits honestly. From delayed payments to clients not honouring commitments, the struggles were many. But she stayed. And over time, respect followed consistency.

A Design Approach Rooted in Sense, Not Style

Parul Battu does not believe in imposing a “signature style.” Her process begins with listening, understanding how a client lives, works, and thinks. She places function and form on equal footing, but insists that function must always come first.

She is careful about budgets, materials, and unnecessary design elements. “Just because a client has money doesn’t mean they should spend it,” she says. Sustainability, in her view, is as much about responsibility as it is about design.

Her role, she believes, is also to guide clients away from impractical ideas, even when those ideas are trending or seen elsewhere. A home or office is not a fashion accessory; it is a space people live in every day.

A Practice Built on Quality, Not Quantity

As Principal Architect, Battu remains deeply involved in every aspect of her projects, from material selection and tenders to site visits and vendor discussions. She consciously avoids taking on too many projects at once. For her, architecture is not about scale, but commitment.

A typical day begins early with yoga, followed by site visits before settling into office work. Even after decades in the field, she prefers to stay hands-on,  a choice that reflects her belief that architecture cannot be managed from a distance.

Projects That Stay With Her

Over the years, Battu has worked on a wide range of projects, from government guest houses to high-end residences. One of her recent projects, a farmhouse designed on a modest budget, was later featured on Sony Liv’s “Million Dollar Listing”, with a valuation that soared dramatically. But for her, success is measured differently.

The real reward comes when clients tell her they are living in the home they once only imagined.

On Being a Woman in Architecture

Battu acknowledges that while the industry has evolved, challenges remain. When she started, women architects leading their own firms were rare. Today, the numbers have improved, but parity is still distant. What has changed, she says, is acceptance and visibility.

Her own journey was eased by a supportive partner and an environment where her decisions were respected. Still, she recognizes that authority often makes people uncomfortable when it comes from a woman. Over time, consistency and competence helped her overcome those barriers.

Staying Grounded in a Fast-Changing World

With new materials, technologies, and trends emerging constantly, Battu believes discernment is key. She does not experiment blindly. Every material must be understood, not just visually, but structurally and environmentally.

Construction, she reminds us, is permanent. Unlike clothes or gadgets, buildings do not disappear easily. Every brick added to the world stays, in some form or another. That awareness shapes her approach to sustainability, material usage, and design restraint.

Advice to the Next Generation

When asked about young architects today, Battu speaks candidly, with concern, but also hope. She feels many newcomers are disconnected from fundamentals, relying heavily on visuals, references, and instant results. Drafting, detailing, site learning, and patience are often overlooked.

Architecture, she insists, is not fast. It requires discipline, respect for time, and a willingness to learn before leading. Creativity cannot survive without grounding. And in a world driven by instant gratification, finding balance has become more important than ever.

Architecture as Responsibility

For Parul Battu, architecture is not a profession driven by applause or trends. It is a responsibility towards clients, cities, and the environment. Her work reminds us that the most powerful buildings are not those that shout, but those that quietly endure.

And in a fast-moving world, that kind of thinking may be the most radical design choice of all.

-Interview Conducted By Shivani Solanki