Today, we learn about Vijul Shah, an Intern Architect working out of our Calgary studio.
What is your role with S2, how long have you been with the firm, and what is your favourite part of your job?
I am an Intern Architect and I have been with S2 since May,2021. My favourite part of the job is to explore innovative and creative ways to design, as a solution to the complexities that come with a site.
What do you like most about design and architecture?
I feel that Architecture and Design is something that influences our conscious as well as subconscious. It has the ability to sculpt our experiences in life and be a part of our everlasting memories. Working at S2 has developed in me a sense of appreciation towards good design and has made me more responsible towards the impacts that design has over the lives of people.
How did you get into the field?
Architecture has been a part of my life since childhood. I have been a dedicated video gamer for about 15 years and have appreciated the virtual worlds it creates. I always had a desire to be in one of those environments which encourages me to create them as an Architect. I did my undergraduate from India and then worked for a few years before moving to Calgary and completing my Masters at the University of Calgary. I was looking for an office with an expertise in different genre of projects and so applied at S2. Looking forward to my future here at the office!
What work are you most proud of thus far in your career?
I have been the most proud of my work done for a Public Works building in Squamish, BC. I have been working on this project for about 4 months now under the guidance of Linus Murphy and Simon Ho. I have completely enjoyed the complexities of the Industrial / Public nature of the project and have been involved in a lot of designing. My mentors have allowed me to flex my Academic conceptual style and ideas and cultivate them into a real-life project, which has been a tremendous learning curve for me.
What or who inspires your work?
The abstract nature of objects in our every day lives has a huge influence over my work. I find the crossover between the pragmatism and abstraction intriguing and challenging. Our eyes tend to get drawn towards the conceptual and artistic qualities in a common object. Abstraction has a strong impact over our everyday experiences and has a large role to play in Architecture. I try to strike an amicable balance between reality and fiction in the works that I do with the purpose of creating something timeless. And I hope to learn more about this in my career as a professional!
My favourite restaurant in Calgary is
Tibet Kitchen.
What do you do in your spare time?
My active spare time is usually spent by playing squash, biking or learning guitar. During my passive spare time I play a lot of video games, watch comedy sketches and listen to music.
What do you like best about working at S2?
The best part about working at S2 are the democratic work ethics. Everyone has the opportunity to give their inputs in the design. People here appreciate the iterative nature of the process and allow for personal contribution. The intention and ability to do good design is one of the strong parts of S2 and is something that I wish to cultivate in me as a professional.
