Introduction: HILONI SUTARIA, Founder & Principal Architect of HSC Designs, represents a new wave of Indian architects blending contextual sensitivity with radical experimentation. From sculptural cantilevers to zero-waste furniture, her practice is as much about ideas as it is about impact. In this candid conversation, Hiloni shares her journey from discovering architecture by chance to building a practice grounded in narrative, sustainability, and fearless creativity.
What sparked your interest in architecture? Was there a particular moment or project that solidified your calling?
My journey into architecture was far from conventional. Initially, I had no intention of pursuing a career in this field. In fact, dentistry seemed like a more likely path until a serendipitous conversation with my mother during my twelfth grade nudged me to consider architecture. That dialogue sparked a quiet curiosity, and what began as a spontaneous decision soon became a defining moment.
There was one particular classroom exercise that marked a turning point, we were tasked with designing a basic space, and I found myself approaching it from an unconventional angle without hesitation. In that moment, it became clear that architecture wasn’t just another academic pursuit; it resonated deeply with how I think and see the world. That realisation affirmed my calling and from that point onward, there was no looking back.
Tell us about the inception of HSC Designs. What vision did you start with, and how has it evolved over time?
I founded HSC Designs in late 2017 at a pivotal point in my life five months into pregnancy. While unconventional, it was a decision driven by conviction and a desire to create a studio rooted in purpose. In the early days, our team was small and our portfolio modest, but our vision was clear: to question convention and approach each project as a unique design challenge rather than replicate a particular style.
From the start, our work has been grounded in context, client needs, and research-led thinking. Rather than chasing a signature aesthetic, I have always believed that form should follow intent, letting the design evolve from the story and spirit of the site.
Over time, HSC Designs has grown into a multidisciplinary practice spanning architecture, interiors, furniture, and installations. Our core values remain unchanged, but our approach has deepened, especially in our commitment to grassroots sustainability and material innovation. We have embraced construction waste as a design medium and integrated smart technologies to optimise performance.
What began as a personal leap of faith has matured into a collaborative, future-forward studio, defined by experimentation, empathy, and a deep respect for context.
Has steel played a defining role in any of your projects? How do you perceive its creative and structural potential?
Steel has been instrumental in several of our projects often enabling forms and ideas that would not be possible with conventional materials. In our Symbiotic Parasite extension, for instance, steel allowed us to create a bold, cantilevered form that appears to float off the original bungalow. Its tensile strength made this expressive intervention both structurally sound and visually compelling, embodying the contrast between old and new.
We have also used steel innovatively in interior projects like Versatile Decadence and Mirages Azul, where it lends a sculptural, futuristic edge to the spatial language. I view steel as both a structural backbone and an expressive medium. Its adaptability, whether in sharp geometric lines or fluid, organic curves offers immense creative freedom. Beyond strength, its exposed aesthetic brings a raw, industrial honesty that can define a space’s character. Steel is not just a supporting actor; if used well, it can be the star that shapes the identity of a project.
How would you describe your design language? What are some consistent values or principles that guide your projects?
Our design language is intent-driven and solution-oriented. Rather than following a fixed aesthetic, we approach each project as a unique design challenge, shaped by the client’s needs, the site’s context, and broader cultural and environmental cues. We believe that meaningful design emerges from understanding rather than imposition. Functionality and user experience are at the core of our process. We aim to create spaces that are intuitive, efficient, and emotionally resonant, whether through natural light, fluid movement, or surprise design elements that enhance everyday use.
Innovation and sustainability are deeply ingrained in our practice. From experimenting with materials and parametric tools to reusing construction waste and embracing near-zero-waste strategies, we strive to push boundaries while remaining rooted in responsibility. Our approach to sustainability is not decorative, it is foundational. Ultimately, we allow context to shape form. We ask ourselves: Does this design make sense for its place and people? Can it be built intelligently, and will it endure with purpose? If the answers align, the visual identity follows organically, often bold, sometimes unconventional, but always grounded.
What has your experience been like navigating the architecture and construction space as a woman entrepreneur?
Launching HSC Designs was a defining moment, both personally and professionally. It reinforced my belief that there is no “perfect time” to chase one’s vision. Rather than seeing impending motherhood as a constraint, I embraced it as a motivator to build something purposeful for myself, my family, and the studio I was shaping.
Navigating a largely male-dominated architecture and construction industry came with its set of challenges. On-site interactions or boardroom discussions occasionally revealed subtle biases where questions were directed to male colleagues, or my authority was assumed secondary. But over time, consistent delivery and a strong portfolio helped shift perceptions. Respect, I have found, is earned through work ethic, not stereotypes.
I have also been fortunate to collaborate with clients and teams who value creativity and results over credentials or gender, which has fostered a meritocratic environment around me. Balancing motherhood and studio life has been demanding, but not impossible. It has taught me the importance of prioritisation, delegation, and leaning into the strength of a supportive team. To other women professionals, I always say: your perspective is a strength. Lead with conviction, stay rooted in your design values, and the industry will evolve with you.
Do you mentor young architects or designers? What advice do you give to young women entering this field?
Yes, mentorship is something I strongly believe in, both within my practice and in academic spaces. At HSC Designs, I ensure that interns and junior designers are involved in meaningful design conversations, not just task-based work. I remember how empowering it was when seniors entrusted me with responsibility early on, and I strive to offer the same encouragement. Outside the studio, I have participated in academic juries and college talks and often stay back to interact with students because sometimes, a simple conversation can offer long-lasting clarity or confidence.
When advising young professionals, I often share two core insights. First: don’t be afraid to be idealistic. Some of the boldest, most experimental ideas emerge when you are unaware of constraints and that creative audacity is worth nurturing. Constraints will refine your ideas, but it is important to start by dreaming big. Second: there is no substitute for perseverance. Architecture is a long, iterative process filled with both revisions and revelations. Talent matters, but consistent effort and resilience will take you further.
To young women entering this field, I will add: you absolutely belong here. Don’t let stereotypes or outdated expectations undermine your voice or instincts. Your perspective is valuable. Stay true to your design ethos whether that’s soft, bold, unconventional, or experimental. You don’t need to fit into someone else’s mould. Let your work speak with clarity, and the respect will follow.
Which project do you consider a milestone in your journey so far, and why?
In terms of projects, a few early commissions truly shaped our trajectory. One of the earliest was “Versatile Decadence”, a bold reinvention of a dilapidated outhouse. We transformed the space using undulating, metal-clad interiors and redefined its spatial potential. The project challenged conventions of residential design and gave us the confidence that clients were ready to embrace unconventional ideas when they were backed by rigour and intent.
Another landmark was “Symbiotic Parasite”, a striking extension to a traditional bungalow. With its sharp, faceted metal planes seemingly floating beside the original structure, the design was provocative and unapologetically contemporary. While it initially raised eyebrows in the neighbourhood, the completed project was widely appreciated for its ability to spark dialogue between the old and the new, an ethos that lies at the core of our practice.
“Valanko ni Ramat” was our foray into the realm of urban design, a play space rooted in community engagement and environmental sensitivity. It deepened our understanding of spatial impact beyond buildings. And “Qure”, a healthcare project, represents a culmination of our learnings where material innovation, sustainability, and user experience converge. Each of these projects has not only challenged us creatively but also reinforced our belief in architecture’s transformative potential.
How do materials influence your narrative? Do you view materials like steel as passive elements, or as active storytellers in your work?
At HSC Designs, we view materials not as passive building blocks, but as active storytellers. Each material carries its own sensory, cultural, and functional identity, and we use those inherent qualities to enrich the narrative of our spaces. Whether it is exposed brick, weathered steel, or hand-laid mosaic, material choices help us shape not just how a space looks, but how it feels and communicates with its users.
Take our healthcare project Qure, for instance. We used terracotta bricks in a curved façade not just for thermal performance and sustainability, but to soften the institutional image and evoke a connection to traditional, local materiality. The façade does more than enclose, it expresses. Similarly, in Valanko ni Ramat, a children’s playscape, we used reclaimed wood, broken tile mosaics, and natural materials to tell a story of sustainability, creativity, and community-driven design.
Steel, in particular, plays a unique role in our narrative palette. Beyond its structural strength and spanning capabilities, steel has a voice, one that can speak of modernity, resilience, or raw honesty, depending on how it’s treated. In our Symbiotic Parasite project, steel’s tensile strength enabled the dramatic cantilevered extension, while its angular aesthetic emphasised a bold dialogue between old and new.
For us, materials are never an afterthought. They are part of the design conversation from the start; chosen intentionally to reinforce the story a space is meant to tell. When done right, even those who enter the space without knowing the design brief feel the story through the materials that surround them.
As the founder of a growing design studio, how do you balance creativity with the business side of practice?
Balancing creativity with the demands of running a business has been an evolving journey. Like many architects, I entered the profession driven by design, the joy of sketching, ideating, and detailing. But founding HSC Designs made it clear that design alone wasn’t enough. To build a successful and sustainable practice, I also had to become a strategist, manager, and entrepreneur.
In the early days, navigating the financial and operational aspects, drafting proposals, managing budgets, setting timelines was a steep learning curve. Establishing a professional standard in a market where design services are often undervalued meant educating clients on the true worth of thoughtful design and structuring our services accordingly.
Over time, I have found my rhythm by building a strong, like-minded team and learning to delegate with trust. Initially, I wore every hat of designer, administrator, even IT troubleshooter, but today, I am able to focus more on leadership and design direction, knowing there is capable support behind the scenes. I also consciously carve out blocks of time in my week purely for creative work, whether it’s concept development, critiquing design proposals, or brainstorming with the team while reserving separate slots for client management and operations.
Ultimately, it is about seeing the business side not as a distraction, but as an enabler, something that creates the structure and resilience required to support bold, meaningful design.
Anecdote: The Leap Before Launch
Just five months into pregnancy, Hiloni Sutaria registered HSC Designs – a decision that defied both convention and comfort. “I knew it was risky,” she says, “but I also knew that if I waited for the perfect time, it might never come.” That act of audacity became symbolic of her studio’s ethos: brave beginnings, unflinching intent.
“Steel is not just a supporting actor; if used well, it can be the star that shapes the identity of a project.”
“Context is not a constraint—it’s the richest source of design inspiration.”
“Architecture is not about imposing forms; it’s about unlocking stories.”
Why It Matters?
Hiloni’s story is more than an individual journey. It reflects the shifting landscape of Indian architecture where women are not only participating but leading with purpose. Her studio’s projects stand at the intersection of design empathy, material honesty, and fearless experimentation, pushing boundaries while staying rooted in context.
