Daily Times

Tell us about your foray into the field of architecture and interior design. How did it all begin for you?

I started out in Pakistan in 1984 when I was working on my very first project. Ghazala Rahman was supposed to be the interior designer for it and Wasif Ali Khan was the architect for it. I was not interested in interior designing then and was only heading the project. It was the first interior designed project of a 185 seat restaurant. Back then, I didn’t have a studio and I used to go to Wasif Ali’s studio to work. The restaurant that I was working on, was not just a part but the entire project was under me. Me and Ghazala Rahman got along really well. We did furniture for the restaurant and I also worked with Seema Iftikhar. I just remember that I was dead sure of what I wanted the project to have.

You have more than 45 years of local and international experience with your craft. In what ways are the demands and spending patterns of international clients different from local ones?

The local clientele is not trained. We have not yet developed our palette. We only know desi and Mughlai cuisine. The palette develops not from taking a look at food pictures but when you taste and experience the thing on a personal level.

You started out in the 1980s. How have the interiors and structures of homes and offices changed over the course of time and in what ways are they similar?

Before, people in Pakistan used to be overwhelmed at first by something new and classy. For instance, when I introduced Ménage in Lahore. People used to be nervous coming in owing to its environment, the clean, crisp atmosphere and centrally air conditioned premises. The staff was well spoken and the service was great. Politician and businessman Hussain Haroon used to be a regular there. Every time he came to Lahore from Islamabad, he dined at Menagé. The well travelled people loved being there. Now, times have changed. People are not overwhelmed anymore. The only issue that remains is that of our palettes. Without travelling and experiencing something new, we can’t evolve. These days, every place is offering club sandwiches, fish fingers and burgers, etc but it’s the X Factor that is only in some. I like how people have become more conscious and aware these days.

You have experience in designing for restaurants, boutiques, shops and hospitals. Where do you think your niche lies?

You know, I did the interior for Doctor’s Hospital. The reason they came to me was they didn’t want it to look like a hospital, rather a hotel. My contributions towards the development of interior design are immense. At the time I started out, there was no concept of such interior designing. Everything was Chinioti furniture which was considered to be very classy and up market. I’m glad I’ve contributed and in a way pioneer towards interior designing and fine dining.

Tell us about your own abode. Have you designed it yourself?

No, I’ve not as mine is a rented abode and a humble space.

I try not to repeat myself. It’s a very easy thing to repeat. I like making people happy and I love a bit of controversy as that’s what keeps me going. I also want to help out with the restaurant business of the country as much as I can, being the president of the Lahore Restaurant Association

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a couple of projects like banks and some large residences in French style. This would be something new for me. I’m not too fond of living like that when it comes to one’s personal abode. But you see, in Pakistan, people want to look rich.

What has been your dream project all along? Have you gotten it yet or still waiting? Which has been the closest you’ve done to label it as a dream project?

All my projects have been my dream. I get very involved in all of them. However, one project that made me very happy was that of One Potato Two Potato. Its first branch opened in Karachi and then later in Liberty, Lahore. Today, we’re hoping to be the next McDonald’s. Even Gun Smoke and Zouk have been my best projects.

Why did you decide to go with your own name to label your brand?

Shahid Abdullah is a very good friend of mine. He is a brilliant architect and interior designer. I was doing Ménage at that time working from Wasif’s office and Shahid Abdullah advised me to have my own private office, even if it would be small. He told me that I couldn’t rely on others. I took his advice. Renowned artist and sculptor Imran Mir designed my logo and advised me to go ahead with my name.

What according to you has been your biggest achievement so far?

Literally being the introduction of fine dining in the country, designing interiors and hospitality design. I’ve been associated with designing a part of Royal Palm Golf & Country Club. I came up with Chameleon’s concept and design.

What motivates you to excel no matter what?

I try not to repeat myself. It’s a very easy thing to do. I like making people happy and I love a bit of controversy as that’s what keeps me going. I also want to help out with the hospitality business of the country as much as I can, being the president of the Lahore Restaurant Association. I also hold a fellowship in interiors from the Pakistan Institute of Interior Designers. My desire is to do a school for hospitality. I’m also involved with the non-governmental organisation, the Hunar Foundation.

What is your vision for Pakistan and what does it mean to be Pakistani for you?

I feel grounded when I say I’m from Pakistan. I feel both my feet are on the ground. There’s nothing like home. As a nation, we have come a long way. All young nations have to go through struggle which we are right now. However, I feel the amount of intellectuals we have in the country is immense. Maybe, we have it in our DNA, I don’t know.

We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?

Imran Khan and some architects and a few of my friends.

Achievements

PIONEER OF INTERIOR DESIGNING AND FINE-DINING

Kamran Sheikh is a renowned architect, interior designer and hospitality expert. He started out in the early 1980s when the concept of interior design and fine-dining was nowhere in the country. He was the first to introduce this in Pakistan. He has more than 45 years of local and international experience with his craft.

HOSPITALITY MOGUL

Kamran Sheikh has a passion for and holds speciality in hospitality. He has been the hospitality designer and creator behind OPTP, HakkaChine, Chameleon Royal Palm, Veranda Bistro, Zouk, Gun Smoke and the list is endless. He is also the president of the Lahore Restaurant Association.

MASTER OF ALL TRADES

Sheikh holds command over commercial designing, architectural designing, residential designing, hospitality designing, interior designing and hospitality consultancy.

A DEDICATED SOCIAL WORKER

Sheikh is associated with NGO Hunar Foundation that seeks solution to the problems of livelihood for the youth through quality vocational training.