For Kriti Gupta, bridging design and technical expertise is part of her day-to-day role as Specification Manager for the South Australian branch of Austaron Surfaces. The company has been supplying premium building materials to the architecture and design industry across Australia and New Zealand since 2003, with Kriti joining the team in 2022.
With a background in both architecture and interior design, Kriti shines brightly as an emerging talent, offering a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and a passion for innovation.
Kriti’s career kicked off with an internship as a draftsperson, where she worked with architects and designers to hone her skills in technical drawing and CAD drafting.
“After completing my Bachelor of Architecture, I wanted to further my knowledge and skills, so I decided to pursue a master’s degree in interior architecture at the University of South Australia,” Kriti says.
“During my degree, I had the opportunity to work on a significant project involving the design of a Holocaust Museum at Victoria Square in Adelaide, with an emphasis on experiential design.
“The project involved extensive research, collaboration with experts in the field, and using design principles to create an immersive and emotionally impactful experience for museum visitors.”
Her hands-on experience laid a solid foundation, propelling her into various roles, including Interior Designer for commercial and residential projects for Saakar Creations in India.
It was during this time that Kriti discovered her fascination for building materials, setting the stage for her transition to Austaron Surfaces as a Sales Representative.
“Transitioning from the role of an interior designer to a sales rep was definitely a significant change in my career path,” Kriti admits.
“As an interior designer, I gained knowledge about materials, finishes, and design solutions which helped in my sales role because I could communicate the benefits and features of products to clients.
“I think gaining practical experience through internships and entry-level positions provided me with valuable exposure to the industry and really built the foundation for my career.”
Over the years, Kriti has cultivated a profound appreciation for the architecture and design industry, contributing her skills to notable projects across commercial, healthcare, and residential sectors.
Now, in her role as a Specification Manager, Kriti plays a pivotal role in the successful implementation and execution of projects involving solid surface materials.
Her responsibilities extend to managing and coordinating the specifications process, collaborating closely with architects, designers, contractors, and other stakeholders in the construction and interior design realm.
“It’s not always easy bridging the gap between the client, fabricator, and architect as they all work at their own pace but building relationships over time has helped.
“In the past 12 months I’m really proud to have got more fabricators onboard with Austaron in our state (SA) and increased the awareness of our product range.”
Notably, Kriti has also increased revenue for Austaron Surfaces’ South Australian market, solidifying her status as a rising star in the industry.
“I am also enjoying meeting and building relationships with local designers and other professionals/experts within our industry.”
Kriti attributes her success to a client-centric approach, consistently achieving challenging targets, meeting project deadlines ahead of schedule, and delivering results beyond expectations.
“I think continually learning and evolving is the key.” Kriti says.
“I undertook a 12-month course to become a professional Google Sketchup 3D modeller so I now have the certification to teach Sketchup to others.”
Outside of work, Kriti likes to get creative with painting and drawing among her hobbies.
“I enjoy painting – mainly acrylic painting and doodling is a stress buster for me. Other than that, I enjoy pottery and cooking.”
Kriti’s journey so far serves as an inspiration for those navigating the intersection of design and technical expertise, showcasing the potential for success through a dynamic and diverse career path.
