‘This college laid the foundation for the best years of my life’

She passed out of Apeejay Institute of Technology-School of Architecture and Planning (AIT-SAP) 12 years back and since then there has been no looking back for her. A well-established landscape architect, she has come a long way now over the years picking up every morsel of her undying dream and spirit. Meet Pooja Ray.

In a candid interview, she opens up about her professional challenges and triumphs.

Tell us about yourself

I’m from AIT-SAP (2006-2011 batch) and did my BArch from the college. I specialised in Interior Design and then completed my master’s in Landscape Architecture (2015- 2017). Being a landscape architect I have dedicated 11-plus years in the field of landscape designing with expertise in commercial and hospitality projects. I worked on several prestigious government projects. I’m also an active trainer and jury member of students for the India Skills government programme since 2018 for landscape gardening and I’m connected to the Agricultural Skill Council of India. At present, I’m a proprietor and chief landscape architect in the landscape firm Metrowoods Landscape Designers. I’m also a landscape consultant at SCS Landscape Developer Pvt Ltd.

What does a typical day look like?

On an average day, we may work as usual like other days like holding our client discussions over designs and details and doing site visits which is not my favourite part of work. But yes we also have our difficult days when we have to encounter unexpected events which cost us our lunch, late evenings, or sometimes late nights with multiple cups of coffee at the office. It’s all worth it when we get appreciated and our proposals get accepted by our clients.

Tell us about your college life.

My college life was one of the most remarkable and loved times of my life. It exposed me to a new environment where I learnt new things, made new friends who came from different places and learnt to face challenges by myself. The events in the college remain as an everlasting memory of my life which cannot be brought back so we have enjoyed them to the fullest. My college embarked me on a path of tone – discovery and particular growth. It was a transformative and stirring trip filled with numerous recollections and jests.

Share a few nostalgic memories from Apeejay.

I made so many memories in my college life and the most unforgettable nostalgic memory was when we went for NASA in Bhopal. It was the most fascinating time when we spent three to four days with our seniors and batchmates, day and night we worked together, and still we managed to entertain ourselves and that environment became a blissful one for all of us.

How were the teachers?

I’m so grateful to the faculty at AIT-SAP. They have helped me to become what I am today and gave me the confidence to dream big. I especially loved how they always related the lessons to real-life examples that would allow the materials to make logical sense. They played a huge role in shaping us, taking time to cultivate every ounce of their soul. I want to thank them for inspiring hope, igniting our imagination, and instilling a love for learning in us.

What are your dreams and goals in life?

I have a lot of goals in my life and I am doing my best to realise them in my life. No one in this world doesn’t have any goal in his/her life. For me, it is very important to establish priority for my values, my family, my career, and my friends. I want to start an alternative education foundation that helps students bring their dreams to life and empowers them to pursue their goals as professional landscape architects. It’s my responsibility and goal to enlighten society and to create interiors that balance natural and other aesthetics and build the environment by applying principles of sustainability.

 Any message for the students of the college.

I feel cherished and proud to be an Apeejayite and alumnus of such a reputed and honourable institute. The knowledge and experience gained here is valuable to me. Wishing the incoming students every success in the future. Be the best version of yourself, it is more rewarding than you think.