Stories
Architectural Studios: More Than Just Design, It's a Culture
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Forbes India•21-09-2026, 12:27
Architectural Studios: More Than Just Design, It's a Culture
- •M-Connect Season 2, presented by Forbes India and Marmo Solutions, explored how architectural studios develop identity beyond visual style, focusing on decisions, nurturing talent, and core principles.
- •Kiran Gala views a studio as a family, where younger architects learn not just formal skills but also senior designers' thinking and behavior, shaping the practice's collective language.
- •Arun Sharma emphasizes curiosity, collaboration, and respect for nature, believing design strengthens through shared processes and valuing younger team members' observations.
- •Meena Murthy Kakkar advocates for creative freedom and trust, noting that younger designers offer valuable insights into evolving spaces, while maintaining a core philosophy of "rooted modernity."
- •The architects agree that constraints, like limited budgets or logistical problems, often reveal a studio's character and can be transformed into defining design elements, highlighting adaptability without losing original intent.
Key Questions Answered
Arun Sharma describes his studio culture as being built upon three main values: curiosity, collaboration, and a deep respect for nature. He believes that design becomes stronger when it is developed through a shared team process rather than a single authority.
Meena Murthy Kakkar describes her studio's philosophy as rooted modernity, which means delivering contemporary design solutions that remain informed by local materials, traditional knowledge, and ground realities.
The architects treat difficulties like tight budgets or logistical site issues as valuable design inputs rather than interruptions. For example, Arun Sharma once designed a jewellery showroom on a restricted budget using scrap material to define the project's success.
