VK Group

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VK Group

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  • Practice: VK Group
  • Website: vk-group.org
  • Firm Location: Pune
  • Country: India
  • Year: 1973

(“Text as submitted by architect”)

Dr. Poorva Keskar

An exceptional academician, a dedicated environmentalist, and a passionate architect and author, Dr. Poorva Keskar is the driving force behind notable architectural institutions in India. She is the Director of VK Environmental, a leading green building consultancy in Pune, and one of the 5 verticals of VK Group. Under her leadership, the organisation provides expert advice on energy conservation and environmental planning, ensuring compliance with environmental norms and achieving the highest standards for sustainable architecture. 

With experience of over 25 years, she has consulted on projects of varying scales, including Kannur International Airport, the Kumara Krupa Guest House for Karnataka PWD, the Lodha Palava Township in Dombivali among others. Dr. Keskar’s practice has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the HUDCO National Award for Outstanding Green Rated Office Building and the AESA Award for her LEED project for SKF Bearings in 2015. In the same year, she received a citation and recognition from the Indian Institute of Architects for her contributions to academics and the profession. 

As an academician, Dr. Keskar has significantly shaped the educational discourse of architecture. With a PhD in Environmental Architecture, she has led the Brick School of Architecture in Pune to become one of the leading institutes in Maharashtra over the past six years. She is also credited with establishing the syllabus for the Masters Program in Environmental Architecture under Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). Furthermore, Dr. Keskar has delivered expert lectures at prestigious institutions such as Mejan Arc University in Sweden, IIT Powai, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, Rachana Sansad, Mumbai, and numerous architecture colleges in Maharashtra. She is frequently invited by esteemed organisations to conduct seminars and workshops on Climate Responsive Architecture, Green Building, and Carbon Neutral Buildings.

She was also among the first in India to qualify as a LEED Accredited Professional and GRIHA Evaluator and Trainer. As an author of various articles and research papers on Environmental Design and Management, Dr. Keskar serves on numerous boards and committees at both national and local levels, focusing on Energy Efficient Buildings, Green Buildings, and Sustainable Urban Planning.

In her commitment to urban sustainable development, Dr. Keskar, along with like-minded professionals, founded the NGO, Sustainability Initiatives. The CSR arm of VK Group, this NGO operates with a three-pronged objective of advocacy, awareness, and training and research in urban sustainability. With her extensive background in research and practice, Dr. Poorva Keskar continues to be a pioneering force in shaping a sustainable future for the architecture and built environment sectors.

Ar. Hrishikesh Kulkarni

A visionary leader and Director at VK Group, Ar. Hrishikesh Kulkarni is renowned for his extensive expertise and innovative approach in architecture, urban design, and environmental design. Committed to holistic and sustainable design practices, his strategic planning has fueled the company’s growth over the past 25 years, expanding VK Group’s services to encompass critical built environment sectors. Hrishikesh serves as the Partner at VK: Architecture, overseeing design, delivery, and technical guidance for various projects. In 2009, he co-founded VK: Environmental, an environmental consultancy, with Dr. Poorva Keskar and Ar. Anagha Paranjape Purohit. The following year, he launched VK: Interiors, an interior design consultancy. In 2015, Hrishikesh, in partnership with Ar. Vijay Sane founded VK: Urban, focusing on large-scale master planning, urban rejuvenation, and transformative urbanism. His real estate knowledge and vision of positively impacting cities have been instrumental in successfully delivering townships, smart city developments, mobility infrastructure, and industrial projects.

Hrishikesh specialises in architecture, energy-efficient design, human comfort studies, and built environmental simulations. He is a qualified BREEAM Assessor, a prestigious voluntary measurement rating for green buildings established by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the UK. He has also lectured on this subject at the London Metropolitan University.

After completing his Master’s degree in London, Hrishikesh gained valuable experience working with Stubbs Rich Architects in Bath, UK, where he contributed to large-scale projects across the UK and Europe. His expertise and vision led to the formation of VKOPEN, a collaborative company with OPENArch Ltd, in 2007.

Hrishikesh’s passion for knowledge-sharing is evident in his teaching roles, where he lectures at various architectural institutes in both India and the UK, providing expert guidance on energy conservation methods in architecture to postgraduate students. He has been invited to offer training for BEE Certified Energy Managers and Energy Auditors in Maharashtra State, presenting on Energy Conservation Building Codes (ECBC) and Green Building Rating Systems. Additionally, he has been invited by the Confederation of Engineering Institutes in Maharashtra to speak on Building Envelope Design and ECBC.

As a member of CREDAI, Hrishikesh has organised study tours to various countries, bringing awareness about new architectural methodologies and materials to local developers and engineers. His involvement with architectural and environmental professional bodies like the COA, IIA, and IGBC demonstrates his advocacy for better policies at the government level to improve rules and regulations in the industry.

In his commitment to sustainable urban development, Hrishikesh, along with like-minded professionals, founded the NGO Sustainability Initiatives. This CSR arm of VK Group operates with a three-pronged objective of advocacy, awareness, and training and research in urban sustainability.

Through his multifaceted roles and unwavering dedication, Hrishikesh Kulkarni continues to be a pioneering force in shaping the future of architecture and sustainable design in India.

Practice Ideology

Since its inception in 1973 by Ar Vishwas Kulkarni, VK Group has been instrumental in shaping the architectural and urban landscape of modern Indian cities, particularly in western and southern India. As one of India’s oldest and most respected firms, VK Group has grown to expand into a group of sister companies that offer services in environmental design, urban design, architectural design, interior design, and operations services. These companies, known as VK: Environmental, VK: Urban, VK: Architecture, VK: Interiors, and VK: Operations, collectively uphold their ethos of multidisciplinary offerings under one roof.

Driven by a talented cohort of nine partners, what began as a small architectural practice with just two employees has evolved into a dynamic team of over 300 qualified professionals. Encrypted with ‘Better by Design’ as a genetic code, they have expanded to offices in Mumbai, Nashik, Ahmedabad and Dubai.

With a portfolio boasting over 1,200 completed projects and 20 million sq m of built spaces, VK Group’s impact in the country is profound and far-reaching. Some of their on-going urban-level projects include the Multi-Modal Transit Hub in Pune, the South Bank Township in Mahalunge, Pune, and the Green Butterfly Hill Station in Lonavala. High-end projects like the BZone Baner Mixed-Use Building, Vision One NXT, and VTP Aethereus further exemplify VK’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of design and construction.

VK Group’s legacy is further enriched by their collaborations with top-tier government and real estate clients, including the Gujarat Housing Board, Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited, Lodha Group, Karnataka PWD, Solitaire Realty, Kohinoor Group, and Kannur International Airport Limited among others. Their international partnerships with esteemed consulting practices such as AEDAS, Singapore & Hong Kong; Landscape Tectonics, Bangkok; The Richards Partnership, Wales; Urban Initiatives, London; Hopkins Architects, London; and OpenArch Ltd, Bristol, UK, underscore their global perspective and commitment to excellence.

The firm’s contributions to the industry have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the 6th IGBC Green Champion’s Awards, ‘Architect Leading the Green Building Movement’ in India, GRIHA Exemplary Award, GRIHA Rising Star Award, World HRD Congress, and the Global Real Estate Congress Best Employer Brand, 2021. Vishwas Kulkarni, the founder, has been honoured as one of the top architecture leaders by the Global Real Estate Congress, solidifying VK Group’s status as a trailblazer in the industry.

The firm’s dedication to sustainability and corporate social responsibility is embodied by their CSR arm, Sustainability Initiatives. This trust, registered in Pune, is formed by design and environmental professionals committed to developing a knowledge resource pool that guides policymakers and practitioners in making informed decisions for sustainable development.

VK Group is steadfast in its mission to create inviting, safe, accessible, and sustainable environments. Their process-driven and people-first approach has cemented their role as a cornerstone in the architectural landscape of India, leading the charge in city building with unparalleled expertise and dedication.

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