Notes on design, materials and practice. Mostly written for clients about to start a project.
How the standard Pitampura plot wants to be built — and the three constraints that make or break the design.
The five questions to ask before signing a fee letter — and the three red flags that should stop the conversation.
The structural realities of a typical 1990s builder-floor — and where the design wins actually come from.
What the sanctioned drawings actually need to show, what slows approvals down, and how to think about the structural-NOC step.
Floor area ratio, ground coverage, setback rules and the MPD parking math — what they let you build on a 200–400 sq-yd plot.
Which Vastu principles are functionally sound, which conflict with daylight and ventilation, and how to design without choosing sides.
How the kothi-vs-builder-floor decision changes by plot size, family structure, resale plans and 10-year cost-of-ownership.
Per-sq-ft ranges by spec level, what's typically inside the quote, what isn't, and the items most often under-budgeted.
Civil structure, finishes, services and approvals: what ₹1,800 / sq-ft buys vs ₹2,800 / sq-ft, and where the variance actually lives.
Percentage of project cost vs flat fee vs stage-wise; what each model actually covers; and how to avoid scope drift.