Sterling Engineering Consultancy Services Private Limited

Mr. Kamal Hadker- Managing Director

BE in conversation with Mr. Kamal Hadker, MD – Sterling Engineering Consultancy Services Private Limited.

1. What are your thoughts on Architecture - Structure Interaction for a Sustainable Built Environment? And why is it so critical in today's time?

   If Engineering is science, Architecture is art. When both are integrated skillfully in a balanced manner, the end product becomes a Landmark. Naturally, before embarking upon any important project, a healthy interaction between architects and engineers is essential. It has become quite important in today's world because Science has made tremendous progress in every field and an architect has to be assisted by experts in different fields all the time to ensure a satisfactory end product.

2. What motivated you to take up your profession? Who were the people or factors that inspired you early in your career?

   My father was a graduate of Karachi Engineering College. He played an important role in my life. After relinquishing his position as Chief Engineer of Mackenzies Construction Company in 1949, he played an active role in the development of townships around Kandla Port and subsequently, in laying the foundations of the Koyna Dam. I was very fortunate to get exposed to large civil engineering projects during my childhood days. I could travel frequently and spend all my school vacations at construction sites - witnessing large works being tackled. My father made lasting impressions on my mind by the principles he followed. It was but natural that I started going to our office without even waiting to complete my graduation.

   My mother encouraged me to develop a healthy balance between studies and extra-curricular activities. She encouraged me to appreciate all forms of art and music.  My attraction towards architecture was because of her influence.

   I proceeded to the UK in '66 to gain work experience in British Structural Design Firms. This exposure, coupled with some studies in my spare time, helped me to clear exams and get qualified as an Associate Member of Institute of Structural Engineers, U.K. During my stay in London, I spent more time with architects than with engineers which helped me to understand their view-points better.

3. What do you think are the three key factors that have contributed to your success / recognition?

   Exposure to the world around us.

   Understanding of the architect's requirements and direct communication with clients as well as other members involved in the project.

   Encouraging engineers possessing different skills to join hands to form efficient design teams.

4. What are the key challenges that you have faced in your career and lessons learnt?

   Design of Bombay Stock Exchange building gave me an opportunity to try several innovative design solutions to satisfy a very demanding architect and a client who was ready to tread on uncharted path.

   Practicing as structural engineer in Dubai in late '70s was a big challenge. It taught us to work in a disciplined way, paying attention to details and courage to work in totally unfamiliar surroundings - in competition with foreigners.

   We had a unique opportunity to lead a team of structural designers for the prestigious Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi which was designed and built in a record period of 24 months. It helped us to gain confidence while working in a multi-disciplinary team and to overcome the fear of failure.

5. Sterling has emerged as a brand name in the field of structural engineering and how has it influenced your firm's Design Philosophy?

   Credit goes to our clients who are constantly looking for better engineering solutions and are prepared to spend a little more for the most appropriate solution rather than the cheapest solution. Today, our engineers enjoy the freedom of expressing their views confidently because of the experience gained on other projects. We are also communicating freely with foreign experts and consultants to give our clients the benefit of both the worlds.

6. What advice would you give the younger generation looking to make a difference in your field? And what are the three things you would advise them to avoid?

   Enjoy your work - don't think it's boring or monotonous - there is always room for improvement in whatever you do today.

   Develop Communication skills - overcome shyness - avoid wasting time on criticizing others. Instead, learn to appreciate good part of their work.

   Learn from other consultants; see if you can suggest appropriate solutions to improve the overall design.

7. Looking back, having achieved a plethora of recognition / awards, how would you like to be remembered in this industry?

   As someone who worked towards raising the status of structural designers and spreading awareness of the importance of honest and efficient consultancy services.

8. "Palais Royale at Mumbai" and "Hotel Grand Chola for ITC at Chennai" are being much talked among the industry fraternity. Can you in brief explain how they are different from others?

   We were indeed very fortunate to have a client and the architects who reposed complete confidence in us. They were also determined to achieve "Nothing but the Best" in their prestigious projects.

STERLING ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED

Sterling Engineering Consultancy Services Private Limited offers engineering design services for the built environment. The firm was registered in 1978 and promoted by the partners of Messrs. Hadker Prabhu and Associates - a firm of consulting engineers, founded by Mr. N. B. Hadker in the late 1950's. The practice gradually widened the scope of its activities to include large office complexes, luxury hotels, shopping centres, hospitals, industrial projects, multi-storied apartment buildings, sports complexes, townships and other civil engineering projects. Throughout three successful decades, Sterling has earned a reputation for creative contributions to engineering and architectural design, technical excellence, remarkable cost and material efficiency and responsive service to Clients all over India and abroad.

Sterling has completed projects not only in India, but also in The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Iraq and Sri Lanka. Many of these projects have been in collaboration with architects of international repute.

Structural concepts developed by Sterling include a variety of Steel, Concrete and composite construction systems. Such concepts have often established entirely new vocabularies in architectural and engineering solutions, which reflect state-of-the-art technology.

Sterling has performed successfully under both conventional and non-conventional project schedules including fast-track projects. Sterling delivers each project with enthusiasm, commitment and responsiveness to suit each client’s goals and objectives.

Key persons:  Kamal N Hadker- MD; Dr. Deepali Hadker-Director; N.N Nagendra Kumar-Resident Director, Bangalore; Girish Dravid-Director; S.B. Malekar; Sunil R. Goregaonkar; Pramod Sahasrabuddhe; Manish Negandhi; Vinayak Naik

For more information: http://www.sterlingengg.com

Born in 1941, Kamal Hadker completed his Bachelor of Engineering Degree from the University of Mumbai in 1963. After working under the guidance of his father, Mr. N. B. Hadker, for two years, he proceeded to London, UK to acquire first-hand experience of working for British firms of Consulting Engineers. In 1967 he was elected as an associate member of the Institution of Structural Engineers, London, UK. He returned to India in 1968 and joined the rapidly expanding practice of M/S Hadker Prabhu and Associates. In the years that followed, he was actively involved in the structural design of prestigious high-rise buildings and major sports complexes in the country as well as abroad.

His innovative approach to design and constant search for efficient structural solutions secured him an excellent reputation. Kamal Hadker has distinguished himself in the design of some of the country's most prominent landmarks. Some of these are - The Bombay Stock Exchange, The ICICI Building in Mumbai, Public Utility Building in Bangalore, MRF Headquarters in Madras, The Andheri Sports Complex and the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and the IFCI Building in New Delhi.

For the Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982, he led a team of structural designers for the prestigious Indira Gandhi Stadium and other surrounding structures. This Stadium, which is the largest clear-span roof in Asia and third largest in the world, was designed and built in a record period of 27 months.

Kamal Hadker has gained valuable experience with International Architects such as WATG, SOM, RTKL, JPA etc who have worked on Indian Projects. With an ability to understand client expectations and to deliver quality buildings on time and within budget, Kamal Hadker has secured a broad client base.

Kamal Hadker has played a key role in achieving sustained growth for the Company across four decades and is now ever better poised to face the dynamics and challenges of the future.