Shaped by his deep roots in heritage and community, Daksh’s career path integrates urban design with a focus on policy and collaboration, driven by a passion instilled since childhood. Daksh emphasized learning from setbacks, was helped by a strong network, driving his work to have a big impact on urban environments. Inspired by family and mentors, he values resilience, innovation, and leaving a meaningful legacy for future generations through knowledge sharing and societal contribution.

Daksh Jain, a professional architect and urban designer originally from Udaipur, now resides in Mumbai and serves as a co-founder of Urban Foundry. This interactive learning collective platform focuses on urban heritage, encompassing architecture, urbanism, policy mechanisms, urban design, and planning.

Reflecting on his journey, Daksh recalls the year he completed his postgraduate studies amidst challenging market conditions. With seven to eight years of experience, he transformed a team of four into a collaborative force, partnering with institutions like MVM Engineering College and Inframe Design Studio. They also actively engage with government departments and pioneer advancements in urban design technology.

Udaipur holds profound significance in Daksh’s life, as he spent 18 years there. Beyond its scenic beauty, Udaipur's rich cultural heritage and deep sense of community profoundly influenced Daksh's career path. For him, Udaipur was not just a place to grow up but a nurturing city that inspired his journey as an architect, urban designer, and conservation architect. Udaipur fosters a grassroots level of bonding among its residents, encouraging collaboration and mutual support. This environment nurtured Daksh's passion for architecture and urban design, instilling values of preservation and progress that continue to shape his approach to his work.

The city's rich heritage, reflected in its architecture and the lifestyles of its people, shaped his professional journey. Growing up in a heritage house that still stands today, his family roots are deeply rooted in Udaipur's vibrant history. This connection to heritage and community instilled a strong sense of identity and purpose in him from an early age.

Inspired by his mother's background in architecture, Daksh pursued advanced studies in Urban Design and started working with urban clients. Alongside colleagues Hanisha, Dakshna Agrawal, and Kavita, he co-founded Urban Foundry. Their method integrates extensive research, collaboration with stakeholders, innovative techniques, and using multimedia to spread awareness for urban heritage and shape robust urban policies. They have also developed technical proficiency in design software.

Urban Foundry serves as a catalyst for bridging grassroots aspirations with urban planning strategies, public awareness, and impactful policy interventions. Their focus lies in educating non-architects and policymakers about the significance of heritage and public spaces. By translating their expertise into actionable insights, they advocate for inclusive urban policies that prioritize community needs from the grassroots level upwards. Their approach considers sociological and cultural phenomena, ensuring urban designs meet grassroots demands and are effectively implemented by governing authorities.

Speaking about his struggles, Daksh acknowledges his privileged upbringing in a stable family background, where he learned early that failures are opportunities for growth and learning. Despite facing personal challenges, including issues related to his skin color, Daksh navigated these by focusing on his work and not letting personal attacks affect him. With support from his parents and grandparents, he was encouraged to persistently showcase his best efforts. As the youngest company in the market, Urban Foundry faced challenges where some considered their ambitious dreams unrealistic, leading to potential exploitation. Despite these obstacles, Daksh says he viewed every setback as a valuable lesson that has contributed to his personal and professional growth.

In the competitive urban field, building a strong network is crucial, and Daksh's company is actively learning how to foster collaborations and organize events to expand their network. Over time, Urban Foundry has secured multiple clients, building a robust portfolio, gaining recognition in the industry.

Facing setbacks has taught Daksh and his team the importance of innovative problem-solving and adapting to market demands. He recalls an incident in which receiving the All-Rounder Award gave Daksh the confidence to consistently deliver performances that required his all-round abilities. This recognition motivated him to strive for excellence, aiming to stand out among his classmates in class and maintain that all-round performance throughout college and post-graduate studies. He believes in sharing ideas openly rather than keeping them to himself, fostering meaningful conversations, and making others feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Daksh values his ability to communicate effectively, seeing it as a skill that sets him apart in building connections and understanding different viewpoints.

In reference to his achievements, Daksh was honored by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Trust, receiving the same award his mother had received 30 years earlier. This recognition fills him with pride, especially when his parents express their admiration for him. Throughout his career, he has continually pushed boundaries with their encouragement. One aspect that particularly inspires him is when people seek his career advice, viewing him as a trusted guide.

He has overcome numerous obstacles with determination and faith, regardless of the challenges. At 27, he aspires to pursue a PhD, a decision that sets him apart from those opting for a more conventional path. Teachers have shown faith in his credibility, believing his research could contribute meaningfully to society. He remains committed to his journey, eagerly anticipating the future and the impact he can make.

Reflecting on his startup journey and achievements so far, Daksh says he has received much positive feedback for starting Urban Foundry, which has helped raise awareness about urban environments and city planning. People enrich their social media posts and reels with insightful information on crafts from different cities and understanding the ideas behind their designs through the startup's efforts. This validation confirms that they are on the right path, with praise reflecting the effort they put into even short 15-second reels aimed at imparting knowledge.

Discussing the pandemic's impact, Daksh acknowledges both its positive and negative effects on society and individuals. While it brought hardships like loss and financial struggles, it also prompted reflection on privilege and family time long overdue. For him, this period allowed him to reconnect with his family after eight years of living apart, gaining a deeper understanding of their daily challenges and sacrifices. He observes that the pandemic forced businesses from all sectors to rebuild from scratch, emphasizing the importance of resilience and gratitude. Daksh advocates respecting others and acknowledging their struggles, even if one cannot offer financial support. He believes that gratitude and empathy are crucial lessons society must learn in such challenging times.

Reflecting on the unpredictability of life, Daksh highlights that nothing is permanent and that everything can change suddenly when considering how unpredictable life can be. He advocates staying focused on the present moment in life, especially during the challenges of the pandemic. For the past one and a half years, physical meetings have been rare, impacting business dynamics due to varying opinions. He believes in not letting temporary phases affect lifelong outcomes and mentions how people got affected by depression and anxiety during COVID-19.

When it comes to role models, Daksh holds his mother in high regard. As an architect who never took maternity leave and continued working, she has been a guiding force in his life, inspiring him towards a better future. He also draws inspiration from his grandparents and values the sense of family unity they instilled in him. He cherishes the joint family experience, recognising it for its mixed emotions and diverse learning opportunities. Daksh believes in sharing these values with others, fostering mutual growth and understanding in return.

Daksh also admires role models within Urban Foundry, such as Abha, who established her foundation in Mumbai after coming from Delhi and curated the Gift Heritage Lounge in India. He admires her work ethic and believes emulating even 10% of her achievements would pave the way to success. Another role model is Dr. Binti Singh, the editor of his book, who overcame challenges from a simple college to IIT Bombay, becoming an inspiring urban sociologist and planner.

Daksh recalls a childhood incident where he initially feared performing on stage during an annual function, prompting his class teacher to call his mother. From that moment until his 12th grade, he participated in every function, grateful to his school for nurturing his confidence on stage. He also credits KRVIA College for providing invaluable exposure and real-life experiences, acknowledging the supportive faculty who guided him.

Reflecting on his career, Daksh expresses gratitude towards his colleagues, whom he considers the best he has worked with. He values the lessons learned from peers and believes in getting hands dirty, making mistakes, and learning from them to progress in life. He highlights his experience at Craft Deck Contracts and from his internship there, where he received guidance from the founder. He places more weight on applied learning than on theoretical education.

When asked what he would do if he had a time machine to travel into his past, Daksh expresses a keen interest in witnessing the Industrial Revolution first, fascinated by how industries evolved and progressed, shaping cities, cultures, and communities. He also desires to observe the struggles and styles of people during the independence movement era, gaining insights into historical moments that shaped societies.

Apart from his business, Daksh has cooking as a hobby, driven by his love for food and experimentation in the kitchen. He also loves reading books and watching independent art-house movies. Socializing with friends and cousins brings him joy, whether over coffee during his me-time or dining at rooftop restaurants in Udaipur. He dreams of having someone to pay him to work remotely from anywhere, immersing himself in different communities for new life experiences.

In his earlier days, Daksh was into old classical books, which later evolved into non-fictional books as he entered the architectural field. One book that particularly fascinates him is "The Fountainhead," which resonates deeply with architects for its themes of individualism and refusal that inspire you to take your own path rather than a conventional path.

When asked to name a favorite quote, he quotes one by Lara Datta from one of her interviews that deeply resonated with him: Would you go through your whole life without passing something on to your children? If you haven't passed something on to the next generation, have you really achieved anything worthwhile? You can earn money, but if you haven't taught or inspired someone, your entire existence is questionable. What you leave behind is what truly matters.

Daksh believes that every field offers numerous opportunities, and one's skills ultimately define their path. His message to the younger generation and aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: identify your skill set, conduct market research, and always remain curious and open to new ideas. He emphasizes the importance of not adhering to one idea but rather exploring multiple avenues and evaluating their viability realistically.

He encourages everyone to take pride and confidence in their journey, emphasizing gratitude for their skills and family. Daksh advises against conforming to societal norms or feeling discouraged by failure, advocating for resilience and continuous improvement until success is achieved.