Hello
I'm Neel, and above all, I'm here to help.
I've been on this journey since I started at The University of Edinburgh School of Architecture, longer ago than I'd care to admit.
However, I'm a South-East Londoner, born and bred, with much of my work based within the boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bromley and Bexley, but I have been spotted as far afield as Wandsworth, Croydon and RBKC... even Ealing.
Every project is different, just as every client is, but if I were to describe a typical scenario, it would be a family needing more space, wanting to stay in a community that they love, although I've recently been helping a number of clients making adjustments to properties as their broods move schools or even fly the nest.
Don't worry if that's not you... I've worked with many people, from octogenarian captains of industry to women's rugby teams.
Like I say, I'm here to help.
My Story...If you're interested
Although I went to another part of the UK to study, I was always going to come back to London. That said, I never imagined I'd be working so close to where I grew up and went to school. They do say that local knowledge is a bonus in dealing with the planning process, but on top of that, I have an investment in the area as a local resident.
Having worked at Clerkenwell Architects as a graduate, I moved to a Blackheath studio, where I picked up local knowledge and connections.
I sat on the Lewisham Design Panel and helped develop the Lee Forum Design Guide, as well as contributing to the LB Lewisham Supplementary Planning Document on Residential Alterations and Extensions... I like to think that a lot of the opportunities for interesting residential solutions are down to the interspersed caveats in that document, that I pushed for, to allow Architects to propose solutions which sit outside that paint by numbers guide to getting planning.
A lot of my work is still in the Boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich and it's no coincidence that I went to a school that straddled the boundary of the two. I've since worked to deliver new changing rooms for the women and girls' rugby club associated with the school.
I've gone on to become a governor, and eventually Chair of governors of the Lewisham primary school that my children attended, staying on long after the last one left.
I'm now a trustee of two (ancient) charities of William Hatcliffe, which has been helping residents of Lewisham on very low incomes since 1622, as well as the Hatcliffe Estate Charity.
I worked on projects for homeless charities Centrepoint and St Mungo's at my previous practice and do ask any prospective clients to consider making a donation to Shelter in exchange for a free initial consultation with me.
Although my work is mainly local, I have lived outside the UK, doing my RIBA Part I placement in the beautiful city of Seville.
Slightly more recently my wife was posted with the UN in the South Pacific, and our family of five relocated to Solomon Islands (with six weeks' notice) and then to Fiji, where (as a UN spouse, with no work visa) I homeschooled two of the primary aged children.
It was on returning to the UK following this sabbatical that I started Neel Dakshy Architecture, after one of my many connections in the construction industry bemoaned the absence of good Architects in the area at the time.
I never did get any work off the back of that particular conversation, but work has been constant since I started out by myself in 2015.
I've not counted, but I imagine I've helped well over 100 families stay in their communities in that time. Then as secondary schools become a consideration, I've helped several of them again in new locations.
I'll make time for you, even if I'm unable to work on your project. I'm always happy to give people honest and useful advice. I'd rather lose a project, but ensure that the client's needs and best interests are served.
I am also a certified Passivhaus designer. This is an extremely useful skill, although most of the projects I deal with cannot reach the standard for Passivhaus status, a can confidently advise on energy efficiency, working together with other trusted consultants, such as the Heat Geek.