Ambrish Arora is Founding Principal at Studio Lotus.its work grounded on the principles of Conscious Design—an approach that celebrates local resources, cultural influences, an inclusive process, and keen attention to detail. Ambrish’s role is largely studio-focused, leading design processes that direct the trajectory of projects. He is deeply involved with assessing benchmarks of innovation and sustainability for the studio’s ongoing work—including aspects related to thermal comfort, and localisation of material and process. Ambrish has persistently campaigned for the revival of crafts and the amalgamation of vernacular wisdom with modern building practices; an advocate for frugal and passive means of construction. He is a custodian of the guiding values that have served as a cornerstone for the practice since its inception, and is personally involved in leadership development for the studio’s teams.
Sidhartha is Principal and Co-founder at Studio Lotus, an architect with a domain experience of 28+ years. Over the two decades of the Studio’s existence, he has overseen its Architecture & Master Planning initiatives, working extensively on large-scale developments for a diverse clientele, with a focus on Environmental Planning, and Sustainable and Modular Construction Methodologies. Sidhartha’s core strengths and passion lie in articulating space, project detailing, and implementation. Significant projects of the studio in this domain include Krushi Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, an upcoming museum complex for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture at the Qutb Shahi Gardens in Hyderabad, the Integrated Production Facility for Organic India in Lucknow–the first LEED Platinum-rated project in the practice’s portfolio. Ongoing projects in the studio include a 500-acre master plan for an eco-conscious community living project in Jaipur, premium commercial and high-rise residential projects with the Max Group, a new campus for the Indian Institute of Art and Design in Gurugram and a school of leadership for the Piramal Group.
As Principal and co-founder of Studio Lotus, Ankur brings over 26+ years of in-depth experience to the practice. His passion for stretching the conceptual possibilities of a project right down to its last detail is reflected in his diverse repertoire of Narrative-based Experiential Design projects that draw from regional context and culture, and are responsive to the evolving paradigms of luxury. Ankur oversees the studio’s Interior Architecture vertical, spearheading large-scale integrated Hospitality commissions, Residential projects, and Adaptive Reuse interventions. Significant projects in this domain include the design of 3 marquee projects for Godrej at The Trees development in Mumbai, hotels for the RAAS group,, and hotels for the Oberoi group in Bandhavgarh and the Taj group–including the Taj Guras Kutir in Sikkim and Himal Kutir in Darjeeling. Ankur has an active interest in design education and impacting change in evolving communities through design. He has been invited to speak at various global and national design forums. Ankur was a panelist at Talking Architecture hosted by the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2020. He was also on the international jury at the WAF China Awards in December 2020 and the WAF in 2021, has been an advisory board member at FIND (Design Fair Asia), Singapore.
Asha Sairam is a Principal at Studio Lotus. She brings her formal education in Communication Design and skills from past work as a scenographer and graphic designer, to her detail and user-experience driven approach to projects. Presently, Asha leads the Branded Experiences and Hospitality Interior Design verticals for the practice. Her portfolio comprises a diverse range of typologies—including retail and brand identity development, hospitality and F&B experiences, corporate interiors, exhibitions, and installation design. Some of the studio’s most significant projects in this domain include Masti Cocktails & Cuisine in Dubai; the adaptive reuse for the RAAS Devigarh hotel in Udaipur; Royal Enfield stores [which includes crafting their global retail identity]; The Quorum Club, Gurugram; flagship stores for retail brand Ekaya across several geographies; and hotels for the Oberoi and Taj groups, Listed among Forbes’ Top 30 under 45 most impactful designers in 2023, and a 40 under 40 honouree at Perspective Global Design Awards 2019, Asha is an active voice in the Indian design fraternity. She is regularly invited to participate in discourse at panel discussions, conferences and as a jurist, both in India and globally.
Harsh is a Principal at Studio Lotus and heads the studio’s Business Development and Organisational initiatives. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Design from the Malviya National Institute of Technology. Joining Studio Lotus in 2013, he worked on and headed numerous projects, including the House in a Garden, Mauritius, Stacked Courtyard House, New Delhi and international design competitions. His business acumen and experience as an architect have led Harsh to establish a seamless balance between the vision for the practice and its business opportunities. At the Studio, he focuses on modelling frameworks to develop and execute the practice's tactical priorities. He works with the core leadership to choreograph and oversee strategic planning and operations, and manage pivotal client relations. Harsh has been a catalyst in seeking new opportunities and empowering the studio's voice by streamlining its communications activities.
I love the architectural work that emerges from our studio–it’s considered, meaningful, contextual, and beautiful. It makes my job really exciting because there is so much to talk about–in bridging the discourse on architecture with its wider context of sustainability, climate, globalisation, socio-economic conditions, and other issues that exist today. Having had careers both in the banking and financial services industry and then in design allows me to have a meaningful perspective on these linkages. I unwind by pottering around in my balcony garden, including growing my own produce, and by baking–I have a terribly sweet tooth.
I enjoy the opportunity of creating something exciting that leaves behind a memorable experience. My approach to design has always been “less is more”—to achieve minimal, well-crafted details using local material and skill. My design process is rooted in discovery—I draw energy and inspiration from client conversations to craft spaces that reflect their lifestyle and ethos. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening and growing my own produce.
Design to me is a powerful medium for storytelling. Building narratives through design can captivate users and make the experience more engaging and immersive. In essence, for me, design is a tool to create memorable experiences. I believe by approaching design with intentionality, empathy, and creativity, it enables the creation of spaces that are transformative and meaningful.
While approaching the design of a project, I try to articulate the brief first, find a balance between the various factors at play, and identify that unique opportunity hiding in the madness. I love that every day is a different day at work—there's no space for monotony. It encourages me to be uncomfortable and push myself into uncharted territories. My secret superpower is staying calm in the storm!
An attitude of gratitude is a practice I resonate with and follow in my daily living, and bring into work everyday. The learning that gets created for me and the relationships that are formed through my interactions with the people here is something I love about my work. Beyond the studio, it is adventure sports and travelling to discover new places that excite me.
The idea of Worldbuilding, where every element is carefully considered and curated, allowing for the creation of immersive environments that evoke emotions together with a process-driven method, inspires my design approach. I spend time honing various skills and interests beyond work and design. I believe they contribute to discipline and have taught me the value of rigour—meditation, exploring and documenting wildlife, and an interest in film and the visual arts, among others.
I couldn’t resist the urge of playing Lego with buildings and calling it a ‘career’, so here I am. I consistently maintain a positive attitude and logical approach towards challenges while embracing innovation as a daily practice. These seamlessly align with the Studio’s own value system. Daily doses of laughter intertwined with creativity, design solutions and complex problem solving are what I love about my work. In my downtime, deciding what to watch on Netflix is taken as seriously as any design challenge.
What I love most about being an architect at Studio Lotus is that our sites are spread across varied geographies. I get to travel to some incredibly interesting places, getting exposure to the local culture, food, and lifestyles, which is really enriching. I’m getting to do what I love—which is travelling—as part of my work life, could it get any better?
Studio Lotus' culture resonates deeply with my own value system. Its commitment to learning, empowerment, and respect has fostered a sense of belonging and shaped my work. I owe much of my personal and professional growth to the invaluable mentorship, support, and wealth of knowledge here. Outside of work, my passions include baking (trust me, my cheesecake rivals Big Chill's), attending concerts, and exploring regional dance forms. Studio Lotus isn't just where I work—it's where I've found inspiration, growth, and a true sense of community.
I derive my energy from people. Engaging with and developing relationships/ friendships with those around me gives me constant motivation and inspiration. If I could design a building for any purpose… I believe having a family is pure bliss. But not everyone has one. I have always dreamt of designing a system, a space, where I can bring together old age homes and orphanages and reinstate a feeling of having a ‘chosen’ family.
One aspect I truly love about my work is the continuous learning and exploration we do. Discovering new ideas, materials, construction techniques, and design platforms allows me to elevate my design skills. A keen interest in sketching and visual arts enables me to express and visualise design concepts. My secret superpower lies in my ability to imbue a building with a narrative through landscape integration. Sustainable living is equally important to me in my personal life as it is in my work.
I approach design by maintaining a dynamic cycle of constant learning and unlearning. Partnering with diverse minds, and bouncing ideas off each other always makes the design process more exciting. My passion for cinematography, the art of framing, lighting, and storytelling in motion film enables me to approach design with an eye for visual composition and narrative flow.
The aspect of functionality is integral to my design approach. This quote by American architect Buckminster Fuller sums it up–”When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong”. I love origami and drawing caricatures, which has helped me to gain a good sense of scale. My secret superpower is having a photographic memory–I store random stuff in my mind for years.
I enjoy finding the balance between Classical & Contemporary ideologies while responding to the site, context and culture. Architecture for me is a tool to bridge the gap between the foreign and the familiar through archiving and narrating the collective memories of a society through its form and space. Art and photography influence my design thinking.
I find that the key to good design is freedom of thought and creativity, combined with a practical approach. I am deeply inspired by one of our values in particular, at Studio Lotus–‘Innovation as a way of life’.
I love that the work we practise at Studio Lotus is thought-provoking and sensitive. Architecture for me is tying existing stories with those that I can weave with my creative aspirations. I specifically enjoy experimenting with local materials in collaboration with their manufacturers. I believe that empathy is a critical skill that every architect must possess.
My design process involves brainstorming through sketchy mind-maps, and I view collaboration as a continuous learning opportunity. I unwind by being close to nature and reading about psychology. If I could design a building, it would be a Museum of Emotions, to explore how spaces can reflect the complexity and spectrum of human emotions.
I like to travel to places and explore the local culture, which helps me bring different perspectives to my design thinking. I believe context plays a critical role in design, and I approach the design process by understanding the brief, and doing thorough research and analysis. My secret superpower is keeping up my energy levels and focus, no matter how stretched I am.
My approach to design usually originates from who I see as the two most important stakeholders—the clients and the ecology—and I aim to bridge the needs of both through good design. Art, photography and writing are my usual means of self-expression through which I am able to create an emotive dialogue with the outside world. I can draw a portrait of you in under 5 mins.
The thing I love the most about our field of work is the unique challenges that we face while designing, and how expansive our approaches are, and need to be. There is so much to integrate and think of simultaneously. It is very important to me to be able to develop honest connections with people–I live by it and ensure that there is a sense of trust in the relationship. I love working in Residential architecture in particular, because it is as close as one gets to designing a deeply personal and unique space where people can totally be themselves.
I thrive on exploring diverse design iterations from the conventional to the avant-garde, and enjoy the creative process where innovative solutions emerge, often through collaborative efforts. I'm captivated by the dynamic interactions people have with architectural spaces, constantly seeking inspiration from these observations to enhance my design thinking. My secret superpower lies in my ability to infuse humour into any situation, adding a touch of cheer and joy wherever I go.
The collective act of creation has always helped me bring out the best for a project, be it collaborating with our consultants, contractors, local artists, or artisans. While it does, of course, enhance the quality of the project, to me it’s a source of profound fulfilment. I love being able to interact with amazing individuals who are unique in their own ways, and who appreciate the importance of what we do and its impact on people. I don’t think I have a secret superpower—I feel that my strength is a commitment to hard work rather than any innate ability.
Being surrounded in a culture of collaboration and mentorship is the part I find most enjoyable at Studio Lotus. I have always aspired to design a cafe that is a community hub, encouraging engagement through workshops, talks or programs, bringing people together from diverse backgrounds. A space that also showcases and supports local and emerging artists by displaying their artworks, promoting cultural expression.
The way creativity can influence society is what inspires me the most. I value environmentally sound design using innovative materials, that is beneficial to users, society and future generations. The work we do gives me the ability to try new ideas and new learning every single day, and I work with the 80/20 Principle: Achieving More with Less.
The entire process of designing a space for someone opens a new world for me to learn new things. Also, something which motivates me is how, by the design of spaces, I can add value to someone’s life. I am inspired by the people around me and the architecture community I am part of, and what I love most about my job is the relationships I have built over time, working at Studio Lotus.
I feel strongly about architecture because I love how well-designed spaces can make people feel different emotions. The idea that there is not just one solution to a problem drives my design approach. I love all sports—cricket, football, cycling, you name it. I carry that sporting spirit and a never-say-die attitude into my work too. My secret superpower is that I cook an amazing Chicken Biryani!
I believe every building should be a reflection of the region's culture and environment, adding to its identity. I love how we work with local artisans where Studio Lotus provides only the seed of an idea, and the design narrative evolves together with these artisans—true co-creation. I like to jump rope when I need to clear my mind, and listen to Hang Drum music to keep myself focused.
My greatest influence has always been a place’s culture and art, as these are two very important aspects in shaping society, particularly in a country like India which has such a rich history. My approach to design is always to explore local art, local construction techniques, and see how we can apply it to our current architectural context. I love that design allows us to explore such varied aspects, and how no design is right or wrong, or ‘final’—it’s always WIP.
Creating meaning out of an empty space draws me towards the world of design. When it comes to my design process, I gather inspiration, sketch out ideas, and refine the design. I enjoy collaborating with other architects and designers for fresh perspectives and innovative creations. I love watching movies and reading books that influence my design thinking.
I like exploring different approaches towards my design. Studio Lotus, with its mix of project styles and shared learning, encourages me to push the boundaries of thinking creatively and differently. I prioritise understanding the site and the users. I find collaboration with my team in brainstorming sessions to be truly rewarding. Relaxation to me is bonding with friends, especially over hilarious architecture memes. It’s not just about the laughs—we also dive into deep discussions about design flaws and causes.
In my design process, I prioritise a collaborative and iterative approach. Engaging with clients and interdisciplinary teams is crucial to gather diverse perspectives. This, and embracing innovative technologies is critical to me for the creation of holistic and responsive architectural solutions. Outside of work, my interests in travel, music, and art significantly influence my thinking. Exploring different cultures and capturing diverse landscapes provides fresh perspectives.
My design process starts with a small idea layered with the feeling I want the space to evoke. Once we crack that, I think it gets a lot easier to flesh out and execute it. What I love most about my work is the support system I’ve built around me, knowing that there are people that’ll lift me up when needed and cheer for my wins. My secret superpower is that I'm a good listener—you can pour your heart out to me. And being able to sleep through the weekend!
I approach any design attempt in alignment with the immediate context so that the creation is not intrusive and keeps in mind the experience of a space for the users. I love that my work has both an analytical and explorational aspect to it, which never allows it to become monotonous. I love portrait sketching, which is an exercise in patience—that helps me in my work life as well. I stay calm and optimistic in times of adversity.
Within the design process, I really value how collaboration opens my mind to diverse perspectives that enrich the creative process. This approach ensures that the final design is a holistic reflection of various insights, and always better for it. When I'm not immersed in the world of design, you'll find me exploring the art of storytelling through photography, painting, and devouring literature like a design detective on a creative mission.
A user-centric perspective guides my decisions and ensures that the final design not only meets aesthetic standards but also enhances the functionality and well-being of those who interact with the space. It is, in a sense, reflective of our studio values of ‘Bringing love to all we do’ and ‘Context is decisive’. I love the fact that there are virtually no rules, and the possibility of innovation at each step of the design process is endless.
I believe designing is the most creative and exciting way to engage with communities and ecosystems. To be a part of Studio Lotus is to embrace innovation as a way of being, which I try to enjoy and explore in the design process. I specifically enjoy being a part of the collaborations with artisans, artists, other designers and thinkers. My secret superpower is that I can lift up a tired room.
It has been my childhood dream to design my home, and that has motivated me to become an architect in the first place. I love when I see my drawings getting built on site. It’s out for the people to experience, and seeing their reactions to it is the best part. I like dancing and singing, and expressing my thoughts through impromptu poems—it often helps me to clear my head.
Creative expression and the ability to transform spaces to be both usable and aesthetically meaningful draws me to the world of architecture. The client’s vision and other practicalities like requirements, timelines, and budget, make interesting challenges to solve for. My strengths are versatility in design and time-management.
My approach to design is inspired by personal experience and commitment to expressing the cultural background of users of the space. Outside of work, I enjoy riding my Hunter (motorbike) as it offers me thrilling experiences that actually inspire me to bring a sense of adventure and surprise in the spaces I design. It’s inseparable from my life as an architect—I both get design ideas and solve design problems while riding my bike.
I love how design can help create a world within a world just through a combination of different elements, themes, colours, and materials. I’m currently enjoying trying out early concept explorations through Midjourney. Dance is my emotional outlet—it encourages creativity, exploration, expression of emotions and stories through movement, much like building creative and meaningful narratives for a project. It also provides an understanding of spatial dynamics that I find enhances my user-centric approach to design.
I was drawn to design watching my mother and nani work with colourful fabrics and patterns. I initially intended to study fashion design, but architecture happened by chance, and it changed my perception and approach to the world. I believe every design requires unique processes and approaches that naturally evolve as we begin working on them. I love the way we put our hearts into every tiny detail, here at Studio Lotus.
To me, the brainstorming sessions and collaborative discussions with diverse perspectives that help the ideas flow freely, are the most exciting aspects of our studio life. I'm passionate about sports such as basketball, swimming, jump rope, and athletics. Sports has been an integral part of my personality and has helped me develop qualities like discipline, teamwork, and determination, which significantly contribute to my approach towards design thinking.
The visual arts serve as a huge source of inspiration for my work. I love visiting art and architecture exhibitions, and I am a movie buff too—sci-fi being my favourite genre. My dream project would be to design a museum on the changing art forms in cinematic experiences. I have a belief that cinema needs to be experienced through changing landscapes, which helps us understand the major evolutions in global cultural contexts as well.
My design approach is driven by curiosity. While designing, I try to break down the process into pieces and solve it like a puzzle. Movies and Literature are my hobbies outside of work. My secret superpower will remain a secret!
