What inspired your transition from international projects to founding your firm, and how has this shaped your ‘architecture without adjectives’ philosophy?
I always aspired to be a doctor. However, during 12th grade, I had the opportunity to assist my neighbour with her fifth-year architecture thesis and found the experience surprisingly enjoyable. Realising that architecture, like medicine, did not require advanced mathematics, I decided to apply to both fields but ultimately found my path in architecture. While pursuing my master’s, I specialised in real estate and finance, which led me to manage the prestigious ‘Houses at Sagaponac’ project in the Hamptons. This experience gave me an opportunity to work with legendary architects such as Philip Johnson, Richard Rogers, Shigeru Ban, Zaha Hadid, and Richard Meier. Being on the other side — critiquing designs and overseeing construction — was an enriching experience that broadened my perspective on the built environment.
Despite consciously stepping away from design, my return to India took an unexpected turn when I co-founded Hundredhands with my partner, Bijoy Ramachandran. What began as an effort to set up the studio before transitioning into real estate soon evolved into a full-fledged practice, as a steady stream of exciting projects kept me deeply engaged alongside managing my sourcing company. Despite the chaos of design and construction, the joy of seeing built environments come to life and positively impact their inhabitants remains incredibly rewarding. The fundamental goal at Hundredhands is to create responsible, contextual spaces that seamlessly enhance everyday living, and Bijoy and I remain fully involved in every project to uphold this philosophy.
Which architects or emerging trends have influenced your style, and what key lessons from them have shaped your architectural practice?
I believe design needs to be timeless, beautiful and functional, rather than driven by trends. Architecture profoundly influences the daily lives of its inhabitants, making it essential for spaces to be both purposeful and fulfilling. I am inspired by architects like Charles Correa, BV Doshi, and Kerry Hill, whose work embodies simplicity while achieving a striking and enduring beauty.
Highlight the most fulfilling project of your career and the challenges and creative processes involved in integrating its unique elements.
The Alila Bangalore was by far one of the most holistically satisfying projects we worked on. We were involved in every aspect — architecture, interior design, custom lighting and amenities, curated art installations, milled textiles, and sourcing all furniture and accessories. It is rare to work on a project of this scale where every detail is so thoughtfully designed and custom-made.
What made it even more special was the opportunity to leverage India’s incredible craftsmanship, bringing our creative visions to life. As one of my company, SOURCE’s largest projects, it demanded precise coordination, relying on numerous spreadsheets to manage the extensive orders. Despite the complexity, it was an immensely rewarding experience.
Elaborate on how your personal experiences influence your approach and how you balance functionality, aesthetics, and cultural identity in your designs.
Architecture is an expression of one’s lived experiences and design philosophy, travel plays a significant role in shaping this perspective. Experiencing different projects, cultures, and places heightens one’s sense of design and its overall intent.
Architecture must integrate with its environment, interact with its surroundings, respect the local context, and be tailored to the functionality of its users. The ultimate goal is to enhance the experience of the end users, with functionality as the foundation and everything else woven around it. Balancing functionality, aesthetics, and cultural identity requires continuous dialogue, and architects play a crucial role in achieving this harmony.
How do you define your relationship with steel, advocate for its use, and how has it contributed to a project’s success and expedited timelines?
The use of steel in construction is so dynamic, offering strength, lightness and elegance while also being highly durable and sustainable. Its ability to be pre-fabricated and quickly assembled on-site enhances construction efficiency, reducing timelines significantly. In our recent project, the Innovation Hub at the IISC campus, the use of galvanised steel expedited the construction timelines and allowed us to preserve all existing trees by incorporating open-frame structures around them, showcasing steel’s adaptability and environmental sensitivity.
How does combining steel with local materials and craftsmanship influence your projects, and what challenges arise in working with skilled local craftsmen?
Combining steel with other materials like wood, concrete and brick creates a rich palette of textures and layers. However, the challenge lies in designing the junctions between these materials. Poor detailing can lead to significant maintenance issues over time, making it crucial to ensure that these connections are carefully designed and well-executed.
How can architects and urban planners collaborate to create resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban environments, especially with context to Indian cities where planning often takes a backseat?
Indian cities are all facing the challenges of rapid urbanisation and insufficient infrastructure to support their growth. Urban designers, architects and the government need to work hand in hand to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that address population growth and climate change. Since each city has its own unique geography, planning needs to be tailored accordingly. Collaboration ensures that solutions are not only technically feasible but also socially and culturally relevant.
Stronger regulations are needed to promote the use of local materials, traditional construction techniques, and regional craftsmanship. Encouraging these practices would create a built environment that is more contextual, sustainable, and deeply connected to the identity of each place.
As a female architect, what challenges have you faced on-site, how do you balance stakeholder expectations while staying true to your design philosophy?
I have thankfully never faced gender-related challenges at sites in Bengaluru, where women in design are well accepted. I love being on-site, witnessing construction take shape, and interacting with the workforce. My ability to speak in multiple languages makes communication even smoother. The best projects happen when the site team and clients take full ownership of what they are building, so we always take a day to explain the overall vision, ensuring everyone understands and feels invested. However, challenges still exist, particularly in terms of hygiene and access to clean toilets — an area where construction sites need to improve, especially for women.
What inspired you to co-found WIREnet World, and what advice do you have for females entering design, real estate, and construction?
There is a serious dearth of female representation in design and real estate forums, not due to lack of talent but because women often prioritise other responsibilities over seeking visibility. It is essential to encourage and empower women to embrace recognition for their contributions. Having been in the industry for years, I felt it was equally important to give back by mentoring younger professionals and helping them avoid the mistakes I made.
In order to address these challenges, I co-founded Wirenet alongside six dynamic women. This platform focuses on knowledge sharing, networking, campus tours, publishing best practices, mentorship cohorts, podcasts featuring women professionals, and student engagement programs that highlight alternative career paths in the industry. Wirenet is an incredible group of talented women driving impactful change through better decision-making, innovation, and financial success.
Reimagining Reality:
As a studio, we would love to document Bengaluru across various parameters to help the city find long-term solutions for managing growth. Every problem has a solution, but meaningful change requires proper engagement with the government and institutional bodies. Bengaluru has incredibly generous private individuals willing to support government initiatives, but professionals must be involved in planning to ensure effective execution. Public infrastructure presents a tremendous opportunity for placemaking, yet much of it, including metro stations, has been poorly designed due to a lack of professional engagement. With better collaboration, these spaces could have become vibrant civic hubs. At Hundredhands, we are committed to transforming the city and have already started conducting workshops focused on improving specific junctions, with plans to expand our efforts in the future.
