The spaces around us are a broader extension of our identities. Society was not built yesterday, culturally or literally, but it was created through centuries’ worth of experience and expertise. Solespace Architects stands at the juncture of a holistic ethos of designing and architecture. The legacy architecture firm is headquartered in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra. It was founded by Ar. Shashank Phadke and Ar. Manisha Phadke. In reference to upholding culturally-enriched community, spaces and surroundings, Solespace Architects’ inception back in 1993 and a rebranding in 2007 evolved the architectural landscape in the region.
This firm is a descendant of creative mastery, innovative business strategies and years of built client relationships. Ar. Shashank Phadke has worked on fascinating projects with renowned architect Charles Correa for IUCAA Pune and Dona Sylvia Resort in Goa. Additionally, he earned a great reputation for the Air Force Naval Housing Board project and the design of PCMC’s zonal office. Furthermore, Shashank Phadke gave his expert inputs beyond the designing industry where he contributed to urban development policies, participating in the formulation of Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Development Control Rules. Ar. Manisha Phadke worked on projects like the interiors of Dilip Vengsarkar Cricket Academy and PNG Brothers showrooms. Her mindset has been mostly inclined towards designs that are aesthetic, seamless and involve the creative architectural poetry of unique materials.
Ar. Dhruv Phadke is the culmination of strategic leadership, where his vision is to infuse Solespace Architects with scalable business models with agile methodologies. His expertise is non-exhaustive, starting with working on skylines with sustainable and innovative designs. It has been an insightful study of Solespace Architects under the current leadership of Ar. Dhruv Phadke, where the firm’s mission statement is about cultivating architectural marvel, which is for them is a finest sculpture of human psychology, philosophy and need.
Dhruv Phadke’s mind is nourished with an upbringing that appreciated art, creative freedom and high spirits. His recollection of his childhood is filled with memories of competing in state-level badminton matches in his 4th standard, performing on instruments like guitar and tabla on live stages, and attending space camp at NASA after 8th standard. These accomplishments are beyond exceptional for a young, vibrant kid. Dhruv puts stress on his experience at NASA, where he acquainted himself with the spatial system and artistic expression. The editorial was rather interested to find Ar. Dhruv Phadke engaged his interest in birdwatching and wildlife photography. The summation of all these laid the brick and mortar of Dhruv Phadke’s entrepreneurial acumen.
It was in 2012 that Dhruv dipped his toe into the industry of architecture and design. He interned in Goa in 2018, where he worked on his thesis—an eco-sensitive project at Anjarle that combined wildlife conservation and architecture. Dhruv Phadke organized a wildlife photography exhibition where his own photographs were displayed and sold to raise funds. The proceeds were directed towards supporting local communities in Anjarle involved in Olive Ridley turtle conservation, helping them purchase essential equipment and supplies to aid their efforts.
His distinguished contribution to the modular fire station prototype for PCMC is now a blueprint of architectural ingenuity that is now being laid citywide. Under Dhruv’s guidance, Solespace designed the six-acre Fire-Fighting Headquarters at Pimpri, a state-of-the-art campus equipped with 23 fire tenders, repair workshops, disaster and war-room facilities, offices, training centres for fire fighters and officers, a museum, auditorium, seminar halls, drill ground, and residential quarters for staff. In addition, Solespace has also been responsible for the design of the Symbiosis Skills and Professional University in Pune.
A well-designed architecture stays equal on its fulcrum with an ecologically balanced surrounding. Dhruv formed Planet Untamed and Eco-activists Satellite Club, which are platforms that use education, storytelling, and field-based learning to inspire environmental consciousness in children. Leadership is beyond a title stuck on the door of an office but a force of optimism that screams for ideas to change the world. Ar. Dhruv with Solespace Architects is working for a city that breathes calmness, creativity and civilized composure.
Ar. Dhruv Phadke pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from PVP College of Architecture, affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University. He moved forward, doing two postgraduate diplomas: Construction Project Management from MIT Pune, where the curricula helped Dhruv learn about effective handling of complex architectural and infrastructural projects and Sustainable Resource Management from the Ecological Society, which was necessarily about understanding environmental systems, biodiversity, and sustainability practices in the built environment.
Ar. Dhruv Phadke’s journey has been consistently acknowledged by peers and institutions across India. In 2025, he was honored with the *Architecture & Interior Excellence Awards as the Outstanding & Prominent Architect and Designer of the Year – India*, a recognition that underscored his ability to bridge aesthetics with functional urban impact. The *Maharashtra Business Awards* (August 2025) followed, celebrating his innovative approach in redefining architectural practices. His community initiatives have also been celebrated, with Rotary District 3131 recognizing Eco-activists Satellite Club as Chairman with the Best Satellite Club Award (2022).
While the leadership transition of Solespace Architects, Ar. Dhruv Phadke has been extremely particular about subtle business shifts and identifying personalized growth models for the current market. As a visionary of the future, Ar. Dhruv Phadke says, “Design not just to build, but to belong. Lead not just to grow, but to ground. Legacy isn’t made from milestones—it’s made from meaning.”
