Meet Kaustubh Sylvan” Kulkarni | Architectural Designer and Environment Artist”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaustubh “Sylvan” Kulkarni and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaustubh “Sylvan”, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
Professionally, my goal is to seize a myriad of opportunities that enable creative expression. I refrain from defining success by a singular method, aspiring to evolve with the ever-changing landscape of opportunities and industries.

Trained as an architect, I find the vast creative world at my fingertips, especially in the realm of spatial expression. In today’s dual landscapes of the real and the virtual, architects have the ability to create meaningful physical spaces and fantastical virtual realms, both of which have the potential to profoundly touch people’s lives. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with peers on the design and detailing of meaningful architecture, leverage design sensibilities to contribute to develop animated films and construct imaginative, ambitious virtual worlds.

Indulging in a somewhat clichéd sentiment – I firmly believe in the transformative power of storytelling. I strive for my architectural creations to tell compelling stories. Success, for me, hinges on the ability to repeatedly achieve this through narrative structures that inspire, are environmentally responsible, and embody aesthetic ambition. I aspire for the virtual worlds I construct to be imaginative, captivating and breathtakingly beautiful.

Beyond the creative realm, I aim for my professional journey to afford me a work-life balance, providing the opportunity to explore the world, collaborate with peers, and learn from the industry’s finest. I have a long list of hobbies I would love to make time for. Finally, if I may be so bold, I aspire to own a home close to friends and family someday.

The crux of my ambition lies in seizing every opportunity that allows me to craft spaces facilitating a narrative. Leading a team is a goal I harbor, desiring collaborative efforts that contribute to the stories of a city, a company, or an individual. As I envisage the culmination of my career, I hope it resonates as a compelling story, one that I can leverage to support those who come next.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Navigating the architectural realm rarely comes with the label “easy.” Throughout my journey as a creative professional, I’ve encountered a series of challenges that have significantly shaped my path.

One of the most significant challenges was my first entrepreneurial venture – a boutique design studio I co-founded. Establishing a presence in India’s architectural landscape proved to be a formidable task, particularly for young firms lacking established connections to developers and builders. Despite the initial difficulty in securing projects, our perseverance, learning, and networking efforts eventually paid off. I had the opportunity to start as an architect from the ground up, crafting family homes and small offices for those willing to collaborate with us. Operating as a multidisciplinary firm, we undertook diverse design projects, spanning graphic design, illustration, landscape, and virtual environment design. These ventures provided valuable support and exposure. While our professors offered invaluable guidance, navigating this entrepreneurial endeavor stood out as the most challenging aspect of my professional trajectory.

Reflecting on this experience, I consider it a pivotal part of my professional journey. The eclectic nature of my engagements within the studio cultivated a multi-faceted perspective, enabling me to approach design problems not just as a creative but also as a client, a consultant, and a contractor. This varied lens allows me to infuse ambitious projects with meaningful narratives and practicality, a distinctive aspect that sets me apart.

Another crucial chapter in my journey unfolded at the Southern California Institute of Architecture. The avant-garde design education exposed me to cutting-edge design technologies, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence, complex modeling, and real-time visualization. The skills I acquired here, while challenging to master, have been transformative. I am particularly excited about the possibilities AI has unlocked for both real and virtual space design. Proficiency in operating game engines has enabled me to implement design strategies that transcend standard practices. This infusion of advanced technologies and experimental education at SCI-Arc has become a defining factor in shaping my design prowess.

In essence, my professional trajectory has been a dynamic progression marked by overcoming challenges, embracing multidisciplinary experiences, and integrating advanced technologies. This journey, complemented by the support of mentors and the innovative educational environment at SCI-Arc, positions me to approach architectural design with a unique perspective, blending creativity, practicality, and design technologies.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This question is a bit of a tease since I know she’s extremely busy and might not be able to visit for a while. However, if she were to come, I’m fortunate enough to live in Los Angeles, a melting pot of cultures and experiences.

The first day, of course, would be laid back. We’d hang out in DTLA where I live, possibly spending a large portion of the day catching up on tea while sharing some homemade drinks. It would be nice to introduce her to all my friends here and have a cozy living room gathering. If, in the evening, we were to head out, there are so many spots in Little Tokyo. Ramen or Sushi would be followed by a drink at Wolf and Crane. In case we wanted to go a little further, we might head to Echo Park to socialize.

I’d give her a day or two to cover the touristy things. Disneyland, Universal Studio, and WB would be on her list, but since we’re architects, we’d definitely make it out to the must-visit buildings. Disney Concert Hall, the Stahl house, the Getty Center, to name a few.

I would set aside a day to hike up to Griffith Observatory, which would, of course, be followed by the tour and then a visit to the In-N-Out close by. If there was time, it would be great to make it out to Topanga or Big Bear for a day or two away from the city.

Speaking of food. The number of places we would have to eat at is expansive to say the least. Howlin Ray’s is possibly high up on that list but also Sugarfish, Bavel and Girl & the Goat. It’s going to be an expensive trip.

Finally, I would gather everyone for a nice, long game of Dungeons and Dragons. This is already a lot to cover in a week, but there is so much more to do. Do you think she could stay longer?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The person who deserves the biggest shoutout in my story is undoubtedly my dad. Without his efforts and determination to expose me to the world, my life would have been confined to the isolated countryside of India where he grew up. His relentless endeavors to move our family to the city and, eventually, to support my decision to relocate to Los Angeles have been the cornerstone of my confidence. I credit a significant portion of my creative ability to him – a writer, oil painter, and sculptor who, despite choosing a career in finance, has left an indelible mark on my artistic spirit. His advice, unwavering support, and guidance have played a pivotal role in shaping my journey to date, and I am certain they will continue to influence everything yet to come.

Next are the professors from the universities I’ve had the privilege to study at. While I won’t name them without their permission, suffice it to say that they are some of the most supportive, intelligent, and impressively creative minds in the industry. Learning from these mentors has significantly elevated my abilities and provided me with invaluable insights that continue to shape my professional growth.

Lastly, my friends deserve acknowledgment. Their unique sense of humor keeps me grounded, reminding me there’s still a long road ahead. They are a reason to love the world which is instrumental for anyone aspiring to create work that elevates life on it.

Website: https://linktr.ee/kaustubh_syl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syl_kaustubh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arkaustubhkulkarni/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kaustubhkulkarni1655?si=Tgu_OcQscskqbZYw

Image Credits
Southern California Institute of Architecture, Jack Freedman, Fang Shu, Aleksandra Lapshina, Abhishek Kadian, Mo Rezk