In this edition of “Media Matters”, our ongoing interview series on Fublis, we sit down with media professionals to explore their journeys, insights, and the evolving landscape of journalism, writing, and media.
This week, we are excited to present an interview with Sanskriti Vashisth, an accomplished architect, writer, and journalist whose multifaceted career spans architectural design, editorial work, and event coordination. Sanskriti’s diverse background in architecture, her passion for storytelling, and her entrepreneurial venture, SansVash, showcase her dedication to bringing creativity and fresh perspectives to the world of architecture and design. Throughout her career, she has contributed to renowned publications such as Rethinking the Future, STIRworld, and Elle Decor, enriching her understanding of urban spaces and human interaction with built environments. In this interview, she shares her experiences, inspirations, and insights into her journey, as well as her thoughts on architecture trends and project management in design.
Join us as Sanskriti reflects on her career trajectory, her passion for architecture and design, and her ongoing commitment to creating meaningful connections through her work.
You’ve worn many hats—architect, journalist, writer, and event coordinator. Could you take us back to the beginning? What initially drew you to architecture and design?
Sanskriti Vashisth: Growing up, my parents were always showing me art and taking me to cultural events. I was really fascinated by India’s history and how it’s connected to our everyday lives. I started wondering about places and their importance. Reading books and learning about history helped me understand that spaces aren’t just buildings—they’re about how people feel and interact. This ignited the fire for architecture and art as well.
Your journey from working with esteemed publications to launching SansVash is impressive. What pivotal moments or projects early in your career shaped your path?
Sanskriti Vashisth: Reading made me who I am and continues to polish my personality. My journey began with working as a trainee at Rethinking the Future. Giving me a head start, this program gave me an idea about various niches within architectural journalism. Having worked as a writer my college magazine sub-head simultaneously flowed with the multiplicity of the same profile. With this experience, STIRworld made me into a more practical writer and introduced me to the world of journalism at its best. The candles of experience lightened up the way for publications. Through this, I got the privilege to work on one of my favourite pieces for Elle Décor, the one on revamp of Kolkata Tram. The honour of exploring the history of the 150-year-old tram during its makeover with an emphasis on the goddess Durga made me grateful. This being one of my first personal approaches to publications, it will always be special.
You’ve created impactful content for publications like Rethinking the Future, StirWorld, and Elle Decor. How has your experience as a journalist influenced your perspective on architecture and design?
Sanskriti Vashisth: As a journalist, the background involves a great deal of research and learning new. All projects pushed me to absorb new concepts, experiences and details. It conveys how differently we all think and represent the idea of art. Architecture and design are subjective domains, and the perception of art amongst these varied to the extent that a whole new theory needs to be studied. From quadratic equations and psychological metaphysics to heartfelt poetry and literature, I witnessed the incorporation of these rules to its core. It made me realise that everything that you learn, it might be some theory in the early years of school, never goes into vain. Architecture and design will always be about storytelling and we will find ways to connect it to us. The feeling of belongingness is what we search for and create.
Your writing includes architecture, interior design, lifestyle, and art. What drives your storytelling process when covering these diverse yet interconnected fields?
Sanskriti Vashisth: Writing for architecture, interior design, lifestyle, and, art holds something in common and that is emotion. The feeling of coming back home (architecture), feeling of luxury (interior design), feeling of fulfilment (lifestyle), feeling free and loved (art), all of this comes from the lives we live. The storytelling process involves having a conversation; to make it rich in information yet feels like human. People have innumerable reasons to read and engage with your content. Some might be interested in knowing the background story, some might be interested in knowing the technicalities while some just want to know why is this part special or they just like to read diverse content with morning tea. The aim is to be conversational yet have a hint of literature.
What inspired you to create SansVash, and what unique voice do you aim to bring to the world of art and design through it?
Sanskriti Vashisth: SansVash is a personal project. It aims to bring life to deliver content that whispers about your brand and puts forward the conversation. I am a big fan of the multifaceted aspect of architecture and wanted to work in the same. Securing the thought of being engaged in parallels of architecture where I can explore the other aspects of architecture helped me grow SansVash. Though we are still young and moving with ‘slow and steady’, we aspire to be the voice that will convey and collaborate.
SansVash seems to be a personal yet expansive project. How do you balance showcasing your creative works with highlighting others’ art on this platform?
Sanskriti Vashisth: Striking the balance between my creative works and highlighting other’s art on the platform, is similar to what I have been my genre. I have multi-tasked including when I was working as a writer at a publication while acting on my thesis, preparing for master’s and organising a literature event. This is the sweet part of it, you get to live multiple lives and enjoy each one of it. While just showcasing only the business side of the company doesn’t work, it is the ‘green room’ talks that interests the readers. I always wondered looking at others’ work, how did you do it? How can I do it? Where can I get that from? So, I made sure to equally focus on both and strive for more organic algorithm. At last, it the heterogeneity that keeps us from boredom.
You’ve collaborated with figures like Saili Sawantt and worked across various media. Can you share some insights you gathered from this experience?
Sanskriti Vashisth: Collaborating with prominent figures and varied media always taught me to be organised and ready to learn. Being an organised person from the beginning, I learnt new ways to collaborate, communicate and convey. With new-gen technology coming our way daily, I learnt that real-time meetings over a coffee are still worthy and impactful. I never went to a meeting and came out with nothing, there was always something that they needed that I could offer for mutual benefit. The key is being eager to learn, work and have a work-life balance; it will take you a long way.
Based on your experience, what architecture trends do you find most exciting right now?
Sanskriti Vashisth: Currently, I have seen that plentiful commercial spaces especially office spaces are introducing workstation options and multifunctional spaces. I like the concept being incorporated given, that little change is always the fun part of a routine. It is similar to the addition of a new ingredient to your regular cake recipe that adds a twist to bring new flavours. Similarly, new spaces can initiate brand-new brainstorm sessions and it will be better than watching paint dry.
You’re currently studying project management—how do you see this new skill set complementing your career in architecture and design?
Sanskriti Vashisth: Project management offers a structured approach to planning, organizing, and executing complex projects. This skill set is invaluable in architectural and design projects, where projects often involve multiple stakeholders, tight deadlines, and quite a lot of variables. Additionally, these skills can help me to improve my communication and collaboration abilities. As an architect or writer, I often work in teams and need to effectively communicate with clients, contractors, and other stakeholders. Project management tools and methodologies can help me in skillful communication while managing expectations. Ultimately, the aim is to be a more well-rounded and productive professional in the field of architecture and construction management.
As someone constantly eager to explore new grounds, what’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or areas you’re particularly excited about?
Sanskriti Vashisth: As someone who’s always been curious and open to new experiences, I’m excited to see what the future holds. While I’m currently exploring fields like events, writing, and project management, I’m open to wherever my journey takes me. There’s always something new to learn and discover with a new project, a different industry, or a personal challenge. I’m eager to embrace whatever comes my way. For now, I’m focused on honing my skills and building my network, but I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities and exciting projects.
