Diversity Fifth Column is a multidisciplinary design studio based in Vadodara, India. The studio was established by Abhay Panchasara in 2014 primarily as an Architecture and Interior Design firm and a year later, Furniture and Product design discipline was co-founded by Jaymin Panchasara. Over the years the studio has thrived with an energetic team of architects lead by both brothers along with Ashna Patel the senior Architect at the studio. The distinctiveness of the studio is its focus on diverse scale of projects ranging from a single piece of furniture, its series, to architectural and urban design projects, spanning variety of cultures, landscapes and climates. Simultaneously the studio is engaged with diverse range of clients including governmental and non-governmental bodies, corporates, builders, private clients as well as furniture and product manufacturers. Approach Each project is seen as a challenge and an opportunity that runs across rigorous analytical exercises and intense process which results in a comprehensive design result. The studio strongly believes not getting into a style or a language, while each design problem is examined at a fundamental level, the studio aims to address characters and the potentials of the project and embracing it into the design. All the projects are worked highly on a participatory level with the clients, engineers, specialist consultants and not the least the local craftsmen, taking everyone’s contribution on the journey of the design process. Collaborative Practise The philosophy of the studio firmly believes and highly advocates in team work and collaboration with experts of various respective fields. While at the same time the team at Fifth Column is blessed to have mentorship of seniors, colleagues as well as the design fraternity which continuously makes everyone at the studio as learners and listeners. Honours Over the past few years, with several collaborations and mentorship Fifth Column has been recipient of various national and international awards. It was nominated as the ‘best young practise’ in Vadodara in year 2016-17. Finalist – Urban Design – Occupational Competition, 2014 Winner – Godrej Design Lab – 2016 Winner – Madan Mahal Eco-Tourism Project by, Jabalpur Smart city – 2018 ** Nominee – German Design Award 2019