Toss Up: Irfan Chaudhry

A graduate of National College Of Arts, Ifran Chaudhry has worked on many notable projects as an architect. Many of Chaudhry’s projects have innovative styles and have left a lasting impression. He is also an avid traveller and a member of Pakistan counsel of Architects and Pakistan institute of Interior Design

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them?

Zaha Hadid, a world renowned architect. I really wanted to meet her. I would have asked her to partner up with our firm.

What’s the best and worst part of your job?

The best part is the whole process of developing the project, the feeling of pride and ownership when you see your built design. The worst is the late nights, a lot of deadlines, endless days working on door hardware schedules and bathroom details.



Your favourite architectural structure?

The Louvre in Paris.

Taj Mahal or Collosseum, why?

Taj Mahal! The exterior design of Taj is among the finest examples in Mughal architecture. As the surface area changes, I love the proportionality of the whole structure.

Most inspiring historical building or structure in Pakistan?

Lahore Fort and Badshahi Masjid. Again, for its Mughal architecture it is a very good example of an architectural term called ‘golden section’ or ‘golden ratio’.

If you were to design a house for Lionel Messi, what would be the best part of that house?

The man cave.

If you weren’t an architect, what would you be?

A flop movie star.

Someone or someone’s work you envy?

Yes, Rajnikanth and Chuck Norris.

What do you think would be the hardest thing for you to give up on?

Carbs!

Something or someone you miss the most from your childhood?

I actually don’t miss anything but just going down the memory lane, my Atari, video tapes and video cassettes. We used to have big family gathering to watch one new movie every Thursday night.

What bores you?

Monotony!

If you could only have one of the following, which would you choose? Trust or love?

Trust! If you don’t have trust, love can’t nurture.

Something you really regret?

No regrets in life, just lessons learned!

What scares you the most and why?

The thought of losing my loved ones.



The worst punishment you received as a child?

I was not a very serious student in school. My history teacher had punished me and a few of my classmates many a times, but the worst used to be standing outside facing the wall while keeping both hands raised in the air.

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?

I think everything seems hard till you cross the bridge of experience. Going to the gym and doing Tabata training has been quite hard.

Name three things in nature you find most beautiful?

1. The stars at night.

2. Mountains.

3. Sunrise and sunset.

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?

Hugh Hefner.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you take with you?

If I was stranded on a deserted island, I would just take Dora with me, she has everything in her backpack! But on a serious note, a cattle farm because I need my steak and milk, a cell phone with unlimited battery and full signals and a rope to fell tree branches to make a shelter, for firewood or to make a swing.

Three qualities you look for in a good friend?

We have three types of friends in life. Friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for a lifetime! I have been very lucky in finding good friends, who have always been there whenever I’ve need them.