HELLO! Exclusive: The future of design by ten veterans and ten in the making

ALI BALDIWALA, Baldiwala Edge

Recommended By: Apoorva Shroff, Founder & Principal Designer at Lyth Design

Why: “Ali has shown consistent talent, and his quirky work frequently pushes boundaries, experimenting with unique and bold styles,” says Apoorva.

Creative Approach: “A site should tell the story of the homeowners, which is why the client’s brief is so important,” says Ali. “I enjoy weaving their personal anecdotes into the design narrative. Having said that, I love experimenting with materials and textures, layering them to create depth and drama within a space. Bold statement pieces and colours set the tone and concept for a bespoke home.”

Best Project: “I’ve always been fascinated by Brutalist architecture, its bold forms, textures and form play, which became the design foundation for La Danza, a project close to my heart. When the clients needed us to tone it down, a visit to Spain introduced me to the art of Flamenco. This interplay of contrasts inspired the name La Danza, where Brutalist masculinity meets the feminine grace and fire of Flamenco.”

Future in Design: “I envision my future in design as a delicate balance between embracing the latest practices, tools and technologies, while staying true to my own design ethos. I want to continue to challenge myself creatively, breaking the mould with every project — all while staying focussed on delivering solutions that meet the needs of my clients.”

GOWRI ADAPPA, A Design Co.

Recommended By: Iram Sultan, Founder of Iram Sultan Design Studio

Why: “I love Gowri’s work for its rootedness, and her interpretation of the Indian ethos in a modern form. Her balance of contrasting elements is finely poised,” says Iram.

Creative Approach: “My aesthetic is defined by a dialogue between the old and the new,” says Gowri. “I’m drawn to spaces that carry a sense of rootedness, yet are reinterpreted for the present. I interject a lot of the client’s personality into the space through art and objects. My unabashed love for Chennai and South India is also omnipresent in my work.”

Best Project: “The most fulfilling project was our own design studio — a restored ’60s Chennai home. We celebrated both its architecture and imperfections, like the terrazzo floors, limeplastered walls, and old teak doors. It’s the old details that made it special. The goal was to allow its original voice to come through.”

Future in Design: “I see my practice evolving with a deeper focus on adaptive reuse and restoration. There’s something powerful about working with buildings that already exist. I’m also excited by the idea of designing across scales and typologies — homes, cultural spaces, perhaps even smaller urban insertions.”

SANCHIT ARORA, RENESĀ Architecture Studio

Recommended By: Sachin Gupta, Principal Designer at Beyond Designs

Why: “I admire Sanchit’s work because of the kind of risks he takes — the capacity of his measured risks are always on point. His work is fabulous and out of the box, as well,” says Sachin.

Creative Approach: “At RENESĀ, our aesthetic is rooted in crafting spaces that evoke both emotion and experience,” says Sanchit. “It’s a play between structure and softness, where bold geometries meet tactile materials, and each project becomes a curated dialogue between context, craft, and creativity. We design with intuition, always seeking a balance between form and feeling.”

Best Project: “Each project comes with its own journey, but the ones that resonate most are those where the design pushes boundaries — be it through spatial experimentation, material honesty, or narrative depth. The work I value most is where we’ve been able to distill complexity into calm.”

Future in Design: “The future, to me, is about evolution — both as a studio and as a designer. I see RENESĀ growing into a multidisciplinary platform that explores not just architecture, but lifestyle, craft, and culture. Personally, I want to continue building stories through spaces, nurturing fresh talent, and staying restless in the pursuit of better design.”

SUVRITA BHARADWAJ & NIKHIL PRATAP SINGH, Loop Designs

Recommended By: Shabnam Gupta, Founder of The Peacock Life & The Orange Lane

Why: “Loop Designs creates spaces that are rooted and standout. I like that they are unafraid to express. Their work has this fierce boldness — especially today, when everyone takes the safer route,” says Shabnam.

Creative Approach: “As every project is unique, we look for narrative threads or emotional touchpoints to anchor the design,” says Suvrita. “Our approach is flexible, often rooted in process, intention and principles rather than a consistent look. Timeless over trendy. What remains consistent is our approach towards user-centric thinking, strategic problem-solving and a strong focus on clarity and function.”

Best Project: “The project that challenged us the most was Mocha Pune, as it helped us explore monumentality for the first time,” says Nikhil. “Everything about this space — the filtered light, the heavy shadows, the rough textures, the curved forms — created a deeply immersive, almost cavelike experience. No bright colours, no flashy materials. Just a deeply consistent material palette and an unwavering commitment to texture, form, and light.”

Future in Design: “We see our future in design as a continuous evolution — less about arriving at a fixed identity and more about deepening our understanding of crafts and materials,” says Suvrita. Nikhil adds, “We want to work on projects that challenge conventions, where design serves both emotional and functional needs.”

KARAN DESAI, Karan Desai Home

Recommended By: Raseel Gujral, Creative Director at Casa Paradox & Casa POP

Why: “Karan brings a rare versatility to interior design, effortlessly balancing serene minimalism with bold, expressive moments. For instance, his Bayvue Party Pad is a masterstroke in spatial duality, while his quirky Monster furniture series proves he’s unafraid to push creative boundaries. There’s thought, wit, and soul in everything he does,” says Raseel. Creative Approach: “I create projects that are distinct yet cohesive. My design language doesn’t follow a rigid aesthetic — instead, it follows the emotional blueprint of the client. Every project is a uniquely crafted ‘tailored dreamscape’ — where my creative direction interlaces with the client’s aspirations. The common thread isn’t style; it’s intention.”

Best Project: “The dream project closest to my heart is a 2,500 sqft duplex apartment in Walkeshwar, Mumbai, on the edge of the ocean. It wasn’t just a project — it was a manifestation that took nearly eight years to come to life and transform my creative identity. What made it truly special was the creative freedom it offered. It became a canvas where I could listen to my instincts, allowing me to evolve both as an interior and product designer. From curating one-of-a-kind pieces to designing bespoke furniture and collaborating with some of the finest global brands, the process was deeply immersive.”

Future in Design: “Whether it’s through cross-disciplinary collaborations, product innovations, or culturally rooted storytelling, I see my design path unfolding as a blend of aesthetics, emotion, and intent”

TANYA PURI CHHOWALA, Interior Designer, Sanjay Puri Architects

Recommended By: Mustafa Eisa, Owner, Mustafa Eisa Design

Why: “Tanya brings a refreshing perspective to design, with a contemporary and minimalist aesthetic, elevated by her clever use of colour,” says Mustafa.

Creative Approach: “My material and palette choices are quite strong in terms of design vision, overall concept and tones. When it comes to crafty, one-off designs, I love to try new things. I like working with unconventional materials and colours, and keeping the overall form and geometry of the space clean.”

Best Project: “My most exciting and challenging project till date was a 30,000 sqft residential villa in Nokha, Rajasthan — an ongoing project that began during the pandemic. The brief was to create an Indian traditional design, which our firm isn’t really known for. So, this project was riddled with hurdles — from planning, and designing, to sourcing, executing and creative blocks — but we’re happy with the way it’s turning out.”

Future in Design: “I’d love to gravitate towards something more on the path of sustainability. I’ve been interested in passive houses with climate conducive design for a while. So, that’s something I’d like to integrate in a contemporary manner in our projects.”

RISHITA DAS, Studio Das

Recommended By: Roshni Kshirsagar, Partner at SJK Architects

Why: “In a world chasing trends, Rishita’s design speaks in whispers — calm, grounded, and quietly confident. Her design is a testament to her ability to craft interiors that feel both intentional and effortlessly serene,” says Roshni.

Creative Approach: “Our style of design evolves over time,” says Rishita. “However, we aim to surround a space with nothing but what is necessary, thoughtful and true. To achieve a state of grace, a stillness. Or at least a bit of calm after a long hectic day.”

Best Project: “Our most satisfying project till date would be a home we completed recently — Memory. It’s built on the relationship I share with the client, our shared trust and mutual respect. The space allowed us to show our full potential. It allowed us the time to be present and build a home for them.”

Future in Design: “We prefer being in the present, and don’t bother ourselves with trying to define the future, by being conscious of building spaces that are timeless. The forms may vary, but we hope our spaces withstand both the fickleness of taste and the ravages of time.”

SUNITA YOGESH, Sunita Yogesh Studio

Recommended By: Farah Ahmed Mathias, Principal Designer at FADD Studio

Why: “Sunita has a wonderful approach to design — she marries a particular Indian sensibility with classic European elements. The simplicity of her designs reveals the complexity of her mind. Sunita’s work is contextual [to India], controlled and creative. Her use of colour and material is very earthy and always on point,” says Farah.

Creative Approach: “I believe in keeping things simple and classic, creating lived-in, layered, and welcoming spaces,” says Sunita. “I’m drawn to mid-century modern and Art Deco forms, and love working with deep, earthy hues balanced by soft neutrals. I lean heavily on natural materials like timber and stone, and there’s always an element of contrast in my work to add depth and character to a space.”

Best Project: “One of my favourite projects is the Spanish Retreat, a 2,200 sqft apartment in Chennai. We had complete freedom to design a home that was equal parts soulful and functional. It’s a project that pushed me creatively. Some standout elements include the arched black-framed glass doors in the living room, and the custom reading nook by an arched window. Wooden rafters and cane-panelled ceilings added oldworld Spanish charm.”

Future in Design: “I’d love to delve into hospitality and commercial spaces — projects that allow for bold storytelling and immersive experiences. I’m also deeply interested in furniture and lighting design. Creating pieces that reflect my aesthetic sensibilities, and bring both function and beauty into everyday life feels like a natural next step in my journey.”

NISHITA KAMDAR, Studio Nishita Kamdar

Recommended By: Anjum Jung, Executive Director - Interior Design, Prestige Group

Why: “Nishita’s work is refreshingly eclectic — like a well-travelled soul in spatial form. Her interiors have a playful charm, where unexpected details come together with architectural wit, a terrazzo flourish here, a handwoven textile there,” says Anjum.

Creative Approach: “The modern Indian approach is progressive and bold, yet completely rooted in tradition and culture,” says Nishita. “One cannot remove this context from our projects, and that’s our studio’s signature aesthetic. People don’t shy away from embracing the amazing craftsmanship around us.”

Best Project: “By far, our best work has been our project ‘Aria.’ It’s the product of how the client’s requirements beautifully came together with our aesthetics. We got along like a house on fire, and one can see that in the space we created together.”

Future in Design: “We’re so clear about shunning all the noise around us, keeping our heads down, and creating beautiful spaces, ones that are new even for us. This, for me, is the best and only way forward.”

ZARA EISA POOJARA, Eisa Associates

Recommended By: Sarah Sham, Principal Designer at Essajees Atelier

Why: “Zara is doing some really amazing work. She’s super talented, and very promising. Her father has been in the industry for 30 years. I’ve been loving the fantastic projects she’s been working on. So, I see her shining very bright,” says Sarah.

Creative Approach: “I’ve avoided anchoring myself to a single go-to style,” says Zara. “For me, design is dynamic. Inspiration might come from my current favourite colour, an artwork, a movie, or even through travel. This fluidity allows each project to feel fresh and authentic. I love when a client comes to me with a request for a style I haven’t explored before.”

Best Project: “One favourite is a residential project, Casa Heredia. It’s infused with the family’s heritage and shaped by their personalities. Rather than replicating Goan or Portuguese design, I drew from those cultures, and expressed them through tiles, stained glass, vibrant shades, wallpaper, and art. My second favourite was an office space. It felt like a refreshing change and challenge. The scale and nature of the office allowed me to embrace creative freedom, go bold, and experiment with playful design elements.”

Future in Design: “I’m particularly keen to explore product design. It feels like a natural extension of my work in interiors, especially since I already customise nearly every piece of furniture in my projects.”

This interview was featured in the August '25 issue of HELLO! India. For more exclusive stories, subscribe to the magazine here.