Interior design has emerged as a sunrise industry in India lately. With the construction sector growing significantly, there has been a rise in demand for apposite interior design solutions for commercial and residential spaces alike. However, clients today have specific requirements and will settle for nothing short of perfection.

For RiniMohabey, Associate Director, Ensemble Infrastructure, the priority is to align her team and herself to create a space that’s conducive to achieving the client’s business goals. She believes that as an architect, it is her job to develop a holistic solution for clients that encompasses each element, from functionality, aesthetics, and comfort to enhancing productivity and building for sustainability.

Rini has been in the corporate interior industry for nine years and has developed expertise in creating spaces for her clients and building a culture within the company that constantly strives to develop comprehensive and innovative solutions. She brings in her experience in the hospitality sector, which broadened Rini’s perspective on understanding client requirements. Rini credits her curiosity and constant learning ability for her professional success.

In an in-depth conversation with the Women Entrepreneur magazine, Rini speaks to us about her current role, its challenges, and much more.

Take us through your early educational journey and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table.

I had a humble architectural education from Nagpur and topped it off with an internship in hospitality, where I learned to create comfortable spaces with particular attention to detail. With that, my journey shifted to corporate interiors, and I have been doing so for the past 9 years. Over these years, I have witnessed the evolution of design and the changing corporate culture closely. The experience has taught and will continue to teach me to stay ahead of change, anticipating the client’s needs while translating culture into design.

Tell us about Ensemble Infrastructure. What are the underlying idea behind the venture and some of its most unique features?

Ensemble is built on the idea of delivering a one-stop solution for our clients. There are 4 different ventures under Ensemble’s umbrella - workspace furniture, design and built, design consultancy, and general contracting, and we also have a talented in-house MEP team. These arms operate independently as self-sustained businesses with the flexibility to operate in tandem for different projects. This allows Ensemble to be highly competitive in terms of market prices. We deliver faster and better results due to our strong in-house capabilities. We also have branches across the country, with our HQ in Mumbai.

One of the unique features we have at Ensemble is the willingness to create solutions that harmonize technology, culture, people, and business together. We believe that data, technology, and sustainability are the core tenets driving the future of design, and our every solution tries to bring together the best of these elements and align them with our client’s objectives. We bring business and design to complement each other.

What are the various role and responsibilities you shoulder as the Associate Director for Ensemble Infrastructure? What are your primary focus areas in the said role?

As an associate director, my work has two interconnected aspects. The first one is comprehensive business development, which requires understanding our clients' business, assessing their needs, aligning with their values, and conceptualizing solutions for them. It's about developing a design that resonates with our clients and particularly their needs for their people.

The second aspect involves developing a team of exceptional designers, ensuring ideas and design excellence, and strengthening the people-first culture within the company. My primary focus as the Associate Director is to build a team of designers with expert business skills and a sound understanding of our own business. I am also focused on developing a team of smart solution providers and subject matter experts in their fields.

Throw some light on the most critical challenges you face as a business leader. What steps do you take to overcome the roadblocks that you encounter?

As a business leader, it is my responsibility to keep pace with the evolving needs of our clients. The requirements may vary from bringing employees back to the workplace to developing flexible hybrid spaces. It’s not just their business needs; it’s also about understanding what their people need to work better and smarter. The idea has always been to develop a people-centric workplace that augments business productivity. As humans, we spend almost a third of our days working, so we strive for our solutions to make working a pleasant experience.

In your opinion, which of your characteristics aided you in becoming a successful architect?

My earliest experience of the market happened during my internship in hospitality which was interesting because it broadened my perspective on what the client needs. As architects, it is crucial to solve the client’s problem, and this idea seeped in quite well. In my previous experience, too, I was fortunate enough to be given important roles within the organization that kept me on my toes, pushing me to learn constantly, and educate my team and clients equally.

"The idea has always been to develop a peoplecentric workplace that augments business productivity. As humans, we spend almost a third of our days working, so we strive for our solutions to make working a pleasant experience"

Along the way, I picked up a few tricks regarding effective delegation of work and building a team that works with each other’s strengths. My eagerness to learn and the ability to translate ideas into design implementation helped me further when I took over as head design consultant, where I got involved in business development. And at Ensemble, I am trying to bring together the best of both worlds, elevating design and business processes simultaneously.

Drawing from your experience as a business leader, what would your advice be to young women and girls who also aspire to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

To be a leader, you should look at building multiple skills. It’s wonderful if you have mastered a skill, but it is always better to have additional knowledge to bring to the table for holistic growth. Always love what you do, and keep finding ways to translate your expertise into your solutions. And remember that every single interaction is a learning opportunity, be it with your colleagues or clients.

Rini Mohabey Associate Director, Ensemble

Hailing from Nagpur, Rini is an accomplished architect specializing in the corporate interior industry. As the Associate Director at Ensemble Infrastructure, Rini handles business development along with developing a team of exceptional designers, ensuring ideas & design excellence. Her current focus is on bringing together the best of both worlds, simultaneously elevating design and business processes.