Building Surfaces That Work on Site: PARÉ's Vision for Smart Ceilings, Façades and Flooring

• September 24, 2026
• By: Building Material Reporter
• INFLUENCERS

In an exclusive interaction with the Building Material Reporter team, Parth Parmar, Director, PARÉ Innovations, spoke about the vision behind the brand, the rise of smart soffit panels, changing expectations in ceilings, flooring and façades, and the role of R&D in solving real problems on site. Practical and clear about the needs of their customers including architects, designers and contractors, he reflected on what building across 400+ Indian cities and 13+ countries has taught the company about innovation and business.

What was the vision behind establishing PARÉ, and what gap were you looking to address?

When we started PARÉ in 2020, we saw that architects and designers wanted more choices for architectural surfaces. Products were available, but finding materials that offered good design and performance while remaining easy to install was still a challenge.

We wanted to bring in products that could change the look of a space without making the execution difficult. That is why we started building our portfolio across walls, ceilings, façades and flooring. The idea was not to just add another surface material to the market. We wanted to bring in better technology, new finishes and solutions that made sense for the Indian market. European technology and our R&D efforts have helped us build on that.

How has your understanding of architecture, materials and customer requirements evolved?

Initially, we were looking mainly at the product, how it looks, how it performs, and where it can be used. But once we started working closely with architects, designers and contractors, we realised that a product also has to work well on site.

Today, we look at the entire process. Is it easy to handle? How much time does it take to install? Can it work with different designs? How will it perform once it is installed?

These conversations have changed how we approach product development. We now pay more attention to the actual problems people face while executing a project. For us, innovation has to make the work easier or improve the outcome.

What is driving the adoption of smart soffit panels?

One of the main reasons is that architects and designers want more freedom when designing ceilings, but they also have to work with tight timelines and budgets.

Traditional ceiling work can involve multiple stages and a lot of coordination at the site. Smart soffit panels can simplify some of that while still giving designers options in terms of finishes, textures, and overall design.

They work well when the ceiling needs to be a visible part of the space rather than just a functional surface. We see applications across homes, offices, retail, hospitality, and other commercial spaces.

The interest is growing because designers are looking for materials that look refined but are also easier to install and manage.

What are architects and designers looking for in a modern ceiling solution today?

They want the ceiling to look good, but aesthetics are only one part of the requirement. They are also looking for materials that are practical, durable, and easy to work with.

Today, designers are experimenting with different textures, patterns, colours and forms. They also want the ceiling to integrate well with lighting, ventilation and the overall design language of the space.

At the same time, project timelines are becoming tighter, which makes installation time and ease of handling increasingly important.

From our conversations with architects and designers, it is clear that they want products that give them design flexibility without adding complexity to execution. That balance is becoming increasingly important.

Where do you see the biggest opportunities for smart soffit and ceiling solutions in India?

We see opportunities across residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality projects. In commercial and hospitality spaces, timelines are often tight, and finishes need to remain consistent across larger areas. This is where efficient ceiling solutions can make a real difference.

In premium residential projects, the requirement is more design-led. Homeowners and designers are looking for ceilings that add character to a space and move away from repetitive designs.

There is also significant scope for creating awareness. Many architects and customers may not have explored these materials yet. As more people understand their applications and benefits, we expect adoption to grow. Our focus will be on bringing the right products to market and helping professionals understand where and how they can be used effectively.

How important is material innovation in reducing installation time?

Material innovation can make a real difference when it addresses an actual challenge on site. It can reduce installation stages, make handling easier, and minimise the dependence on multiple components or processes.

It can also help reduce wastage and improve consistency, particularly in larger projects.

But for us, innovation is not about creating something different simply for the sake of it. We need to understand how a material will be transported, handled, installed, and maintained.

That is where our R&D work becomes important. We speak to people involved in projects and try to understand what is slowing them down or creating difficulties. Those inputs help us develop products that are not only new, but genuinely useful in real applications.

What role does R&D play in your product development process?

Many of our product ideas come from conversations with architects, designers, contractors and customers. We try to understand the challenges they face around installation, finish, timelines, and material performance.

The combination of European technology and our own R&D allows us to explore these requirements in greater depth. We also study how products will perform in Indian conditions.

A question we often ask ourselves is, “What is the next problem we can solve?” That keeps our product development connected to actual industry needs rather than simply following market trends.

How are façade and exterior surface solutions contributing to indoor-outdoor design?

Architects are increasingly looking at a building as one complete design rather than treating the interiors and exteriors separately.

Façade and exterior surface solutions can help carry a similar design language from the inside of a building to the outside. Colours, textures and finishes can be used to create a more connected visual experience.

At the same time, exterior materials have different performance requirements. They need to withstand weather exposure and remain durable over time.

This is where newer façade materials can offer greater flexibility. They allow designers to explore different looks while also considering practical performance.

We see façades as an important area for innovation because they influence the identity of a building as well as the way it connects with its surroundings.

How do you balance aesthetics with weather resistance and durability?

The first step is understanding where the product will be used. An exterior surface has to be developed differently from an interior product because it may be exposed to heat, rain, moisture, and changing temperatures.

We look at the material, finish, quality, and installation requirements together. It is important that the product looks good, but it also needs to remain reliable in the conditions it is designed for.

Technical guidance is equally important. Architects and contractors need to understand how the product should be installed and maintained.

At PARÉ, we approach exterior solutions from both sides: what the designer wants and what the material needs to deliver. The final product should offer a good finish without creating unnecessary maintenance or durability concerns.

How have customer demands for flooring changed over the years?

Customers are increasingly looking at flooring as an important part of the overall interior. Earlier, the focus was often on durability, price, and availability. Today, people are also considering texture, finish, colour, maintenance, and how the flooring complements the space.

Architects and designers are exploring more customised looks, and clients are more open to different materials if they offer the right combination of design and performance.

Installation time and long-term maintenance have also become important, particularly in commercial and hospitality projects where flooring needs to be practical to manage.

Overall, the requirements have become more detailed. Customers are no longer looking only for a flooring product; they are looking for a solution that fits the design, usage, and maintenance needs of the project.

What have you learned from expanding across 400+ Indian cities and 13+ countries?

One of the key learnings is that every market has its own requirements. A product that works well in one market may need a different approach in another because of climate, design preferences, installation practices, or customer expectations.

In India, factors such as weather conditions, labour availability, maintenance, and project timelines are important. In international markets, we also see different preferences in terms of finishes and applications.

This experience has made us more flexible in our product strategy. We try to understand the market first and then decide how a product should be positioned or used.

Expansion has also reinforced the importance of distribution, technical support, and strong relationships with architects and designers. Product availability alone is not enough; people also need confidence in the product and its application.

What is your vision for PARÉ Innovations?

We want PARÉ to become a trusted name in innovative architectural surface solutions. We aim to give architects and designers more options while also helping them execute projects more efficiently.

We see strong potential across smart ceilings, façades, flooring and wall solutions. The materials of the future will need to bring together design, performance, durability and ease of maintenance.

We also believe products need to be developed with a clear understanding of how they will actually be used. A material may look impressive, but it also needs to work well in the actual project.

As we grow, we want to continue investing in R&D, building stronger industry relationships, and introducing products that address real requirements. Our focus will remain on useful innovation rather than innovation for its own sake.

Conclusion

PARÉ's story makes one thing clear: business is all about understanding your customer needs and demands and then working ahead to solve them. From smart soffit panels to façades and flooring, the common thread is a product that gives designers freedom without adding complexity on site.

Backed by European technology, in-house R&D and experience across 400+ Indian cities and 13+ countries, PARÉ's approach stays focused on solving the next real problem rather than following market trends.