Design and Dialogues

What if your home isn’t just where you live…but something that actively shapes your mood, your energy, and your everyday decisions? In this episode of Design and Dialogues, I sit down with interior designer Kuntal Vyas Aggarwal, founder of Resaiki, to explore the deeper side of architecture — healing spaces, energy alignment, Vaastu science, Reiki philosophy, and Japanese minimalism. We go beyond...

Is the traditional design consultancy model broken? What if you could consult a top architect, interior designer, waterproofing expert, or landscape consultant — by the hour — without committing to a massive retainer? In this episode of Design and Dialogues, I sit down with Gunjan Sharma, Founder of Hourly, a platform rethinking how design consultancy works in India. From cross-border internships...

Hotels and resorts may look effortless — but behind every serene view and silent corridor lies years of design decisions, operational complexity, and architectural restraint. In this episode of Design and Dialogues, host Atharva sits down with Love Chaudhary, Principal Architect at AND Studio, to unpack the real anatomy of hospitality architecture — beyond glossy renders and Instagram aesthetics....

India is building more than ever—but are we actually building better? In this episode of Design and Dialogues, we sit down with Navneet Kaur from HAACE Contract, a premium civil construction company with over 26 years of experience, to unpack the real state of the Indian construction industry—beyond glossy renders and marketing brochures. This is an unfiltered conversation on construction quality,...

🚆India is building stations for the future — but how do you design a space that millions pass through every single day? In this episode of Design and Dialogues, Atharva sits down with Ar. Amin Nayar, Founder of ANA Design Studio, the team behind some of the most complex public infrastructure and transportation projects in the country. From the science of crowd flow to designing chaos-proof layout...

In this episode of Design and Dialogues, Landscape Architect Ar. Mukul takes us on a wild journey through the real power of landscape design — from recharging groundwater in Rajasthan, to creating microclimates with trees, to how a factory’s profits doubled simply because of better outdoor spaces. We dive deep into: 🌳 Why cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore desperately need landscape architec...

In this episode of Design and Dialogues, I sit down with Aarti Kapoor Jaiswal, founder of Apostrophe Home, to talk about what really goes into building a home that works — not just one that looks good. From the rise of Pinterest-inspired DIY projects and Urban Company makeovers to the hidden chaos of renovations and the value of hiring a designer early — Aarti pulls back the curtain on the real in...

Gurgaon — India’s booming city that grew faster than it was planned. In this episode of Design and Dialogues, architect Amit Sharma, founder of Axiom India, opens up about his design philosophy, the meaning of the unbuilt, and why imagination in architecture is dying. From public buildings to city planning, from education to sustainability, Amit shares three decades of experience shaping India’s s...

🎨 “From the colour of our coffee to the colour of our potty — everything is colour.”In this episode of Design & Dialogues, host Atharva Lath sits down with Mamta Khubani, colour consultant and founder of Hue Culture, to explore the science, emotion, and culture behind colour in design. Discover why grey may be the most misunderstood colour, how colour psychology shapes behaviour, and why Indi...

When you walk into a café or a restaurant, your mood is already shaped — long before you even see the menu. From the chair you sit on to the table you gather around, furniture defines the dining experience. In this episode of Design & Dialogues, I sit down with Chaitali Ahuja, the creative force behind Sunny Overseas, to explore: 🪑🍴How restaurant furniture has shifted from durability to ambi...

In this conversation, we sit down with Raghav Manocha, co-founder of Light Emotion, to uncover the often-overlooked world of lighting. From premium vs standard lighting, to the impact of color temperature on circadian rhythms, to common mistakes in Indian homes—this episode is packed with valuable insights for architects, interior designers, and homeowners alike. What you’ll learn in this episode:...

🔥 Designing the Future: Ajay Gulati on Homes, VR & the New Age of Architecture What makes a house more than just a structure? In this powerful episode of Design and Dialogues, renowned architect Ajay Gulati shares insights from his 25+ year journey in residential architecture—where technology meets tradition, and every family brings a new design story. We unpack: ✅ How residential design has...

Is our architecture education system preparing students for real-world practice—or are we just churning out designers in a vacuum? In this unfiltered, thought-provoking conversation, Professor Amrita Madan—an architect, experiential designer, and PhD scholar—talks about the systemic disconnect between architectural education and its practical implementation. From curriculum stagnation to outdated...

Step into the heart of modern Indian homes with Kapil Khanna, the man bringing SieMatic, a century-old German modular kitchen brand, to India. In this episode of Design and Dialogues, we explore how Indian kitchens are evolving—from curry kitchens to smart tech, from handleless design to lifestyle statements. 🔍 What we cover: - German vs Indian kitchen philosophy - Why SieMatic invented the handl...

In this episode, we sit down with Amandeep Singh, founder of Samay Enterprises, a turnkey contractor behind some of India’s most iconic interior projects—from Apple and Nespresso showrooms to sacred Gurudwaras. He’s also the author of 7 Secrets of Interiors, India’s only book focused solely on project execution in the design industry. Whether you're a student of architecture, an aspiring contr...

🎙️ AI in Architecture & Design: Revolution or Risk? with Shreshth Gupta on Design and DialoguesIs AI the future of design or the biggest threat to creativity? In this eye-opening episode of Design and Dialogues, we sit down with architect and designer Shreshth Gupta to explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world of architecture and interiors. From tools like Midjourney and DA...

In this episode of Design and Dialogues, we sit down with Marcel, a German entrepreneur who’s introducing OSB boards to the Indian market — a product that has already replaced 80–90% of plywood use in the US and Europe. From shocking revelations about formaldehyde in Indian plywood to why OSB is not just safer but also cheaper and stronger, this conversation dives deep into what India’s constructi...

How does the design in an Ayurvedic Hospital stand different to other hospitals? Is it just the medicine that heals or is it a combination of several factors including the design and patient journey? In this episode of Design and Dialogues, we explore the intersection of architecture, Ayurveda, and patient wellness at the Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital in Delhi. Joining us is Lakshman Srivastava, fro...

In this episode of Design and Dialogues, I sit down with architect Vipul Singh, co-founder of Design Accord, to talk about everything from mall culture to soul-driven design, the challenges of commercial real estate, and what the future of Indian architecture looks like. With 24+ years in the industry, Vipul shares his journey from starting Design Accord with sheer determination, to designing for...

What does true luxury really mean? Is it Italian marble and golden taps — or is it something more subtle, timeless, and personal? In this episode of Design and Dialogues, host Atharva Lath sits down with renowned interior designer Shalini Ganguli, who takes us behind the velvet curtain of high-end homes and luxury design. From accidentally stepping into the world of interiors via Instagram, to wor...

In this powerful episode of Design and Dialogues, we dive into the world of healthcare architecture with Chandrika Sahay, the award-winning architect behind Meraki Dezine. With over two decades of experience, Chandrika is leading a much-needed shift in how hospitals are designed — with empathy, emotion, and the end user in mind. 💡 Why do most hospitals still feel cold and clinical? 🌿 How does bi...

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most urgent sustainability design challenges of our time — water. Join me, Atharva Lath, in conversation with Sunil Pachar, a pioneer in rainwater harvesting and sustainable water management in India. From corporate buildings and hotels to homes and institutions, Sunil has helped transform the way spaces interact with water — one rooftop at a time. 💧...

In this episode, I sit down with Jenny Jose, the founder of Bass n Treble, Delhi’s premier home theatre experience centre. We dive deep into the fascinating world of sound design, acoustics, and creating immersive experiences through smart space planning. 🎵 What we explore: -How to craft the perfect home theatre system -The real science behind acoustics, speaker placement, and material choices -H...

In this episode, I sit down with Rashi Sharma, a 4th generation Astro-Vaastu consultant, to dive deep into the world of Vaastu Shastra — the ancient Indian science of space, energy, and design. We explore: ✨ How Vaastu influences the spaces we live and work in ✨ The connection between architecture, energy, and personal wellbeing ✨ How modern homes and offices can align with ancient principles w...