DCOOP believes that any exercise of design should derive from a deep study and understanding of the history, context and lived realities of a given site and program. Quaid and Shilpa’s independent research and interest in social and cultural aspects of the immediate environment has given the firm a positive inter-disciplinary grounding and a critical edge. Design for them is a multi-disciplinary field that requires combined skills of art, anthropology, engineering, and management at different stages.

Further, the practice aims towards bridging the gap that exists between concerns of ‘pure’ design, the contingencies of execution, and sensitivity to the requirements of the user, to produce an environment that is at once contemporary and sustainable. Pragmatically planned, meticulously put together, subtly fine-tuned to stimulate the senses; the projects are characterized by their refined proportions and a sense of balanced restfulness.