OMRTeatime: from Mumbai to Amsterdam with Darshik Parejiya

Grab your tea, because Darshik Parejiya’s story packs plenty of punch. He’s one of our Project Engineers at OMRT, and his journey from the busy streets of Mumbai to our lively Amsterdam office is packed with bold moves, plenty of learning and a dose of adventure.

Darshik, what’s your role at OMRT?

I’m a Project Engineer, which basically means I help make sure our client projects run smoothly from start to finish. I’m always collaborating — whether it’s figuring out client needs with sales or bouncing ideas off our tech team to tackle those tough challenges. The mix of people and rapid pace is what I love about it.

How did you end up here?

Lots of twists, honestly! I grew up in Mumbai, studied architecture and jumped into the world of architecture. But routine took over, and those four-hour train commutes? Not ideal. I wanted more: bigger ideas, new tech, quicker pace.

So I looked abroad. TU Delft stood out, so I packed up and moved to the Netherlands for a master’s. I kept hearing about OMRT from mates who’d joined, they raved about the big ideas and open culture. When I was ready for a fresh start, OMRT felt like the perfect fit. People here bring all kinds of backgrounds and energy to the table.

Does your architecture background still come in handy?

Absolutely. When you’ve worked on real housing projects, you learn fast that the best ideas are the ones people can actually live in. Innovation is great, but it has to be practical too. My focus is always on finding that balance, whether I’m filtering through thousands of options or narrowing down what genuinely works.

What’s a normal day like for you?

No two days are the same. Sometimes I’m deep into problem-solving with the tech team, other times I’m chatting with sales or rolling up my sleeves with the studio crew. We get loads of different projects, so it never gets boring. And if clients surprise us, we just get together, rethink, and try something new. It’s really collaborative.

What makes your team unique?

We’ve got people from all over; architecture, engineering, building tech, you name it. That mix makes it easy to settle in and means everyone’s learning from each other. The vibe’s energetic and honest. People are genuine, open to change, and you can really feel everyone moving in the same direction.

Any standout memories?

Plenty! Our trip to a castle in Belgium is a highlight. It wasn’t just about work; you get to know people as friends, not just colleagues, and that’s pretty unique. And most team events here are employee-driven, so there’s a true sense of community. Especially for those of us who moved here, it makes OMRT feel like a second home.

What excites you for the future?

Honestly? Just the unknown and what we’ll build together next. We’re always trying new things, sharpening our tech, and finding ways to push projects further. Seeing the team’s hard work turn into faster building, cost savings, or better sustainability keeps me fired up.

I can’t wait to see what’s next.