Discovering India’s high-end design culture with Aparna Kaushik Design Group
For Aparna Kaushik – Founder of the studio – a project is not just a commission to execute—it is an active listening to the client and a true creative collaboration. In this interview, we discover her journey through design and towards the creation of one of India’s most important design studios.
Aparna Kaushik Design Group is one of India’s leading architecture firms, founded by Aparna Kaushik, a woman who has been recognized as “one of the top five architects in India.” Her journey into the world of design was inspired by the fascination exerted by the order, symmetry, and rhythm that govern the natural world. An order that she soon discovered echoed within her discipline. Today, Aparna Kaushik Design Studio oversees prestigious projects in the field of luxury architecture. The firm’s portfolio is distinguished by a recurring balance between classical atmospheres and contemporary styles, combined with a refined sensitivity toward elegance.
In this interview, Aparna shares her perspective on the evolution of luxury design, the growing awareness among clients about sustainability, and the increasingly widespread view of private spaces as an expression of self. The conversation also offers a glimpse into Aparna Kaushik’s own sensibility: a curious woman, deeply inspired by art, history, literature, and life itself.
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Tell us a little about yourself and your work: how did you become an architect? When and how was the Aparna Kaushik Design Studio founded?
Aparna Kaushik:
I was drawn to architecture through a fascination with the innate order of the world – the symmetry and rhythm that bind both natural and built environments. I was captivated by the interplay between structure, proportion, and human experience and so naturally architecture became the medium through which I could explore that connection. In 2008, I established my design studio in Delhi with the intent of creating ultra-luxury residences that were not only visually striking but also deeply attuned to the psychology of how people inhabit spaces. Over the years, the practice has evolved into a multi-disciplinary design house, where architecture, interiors, furniture, product design, and landscaping converge into cohesive, holistic experiences.
Your studio has been active for nearly 20 years. How have clients’ needs and priorities evolved?
Aparna Kaushik:
Since we started our practice, luxury design has evolved. Once largely equated with scale and grandeur, today clients are looking for a more personal dialogue with their homes. Their priorities are rooted in individuality, demanding spaces that respond to particular lifestyles, philosophies, and aspirations. Comfort and function have become as important as form, and there is a growing emphasis on emotional resonance. Homes are now expected to accommodate flexible patterns of living, seamlessly integrating wellness, technology, and sustainability. This has informed a more layered and nuanced approach to design, where status is expressed not through excess but through refinement, precision, and meaning.
Do you notice a growing awareness of contemporary issues such as sustainability?
Aparna Kaushik:
Yes, increasingly so. Sustainability has moved beyond a trend into a responsibility, particularly in luxury design. Clients are far more aware of the impact of materials, construction processes, and energy systems. My role is to seamlessly integrate these considerations into the design framework, ensuring that ecological sensitivity coexists with style; from natural ventilation and thoughtful landscaping to responsible sourcing. In this sense, true luxury lies in creating homes that endure both aesthetically and environmentally.
Your team meticulously oversees the entire design and build process – from conceptualizing spaces to detailing interiors. What are the advantages of following every step of the project’s evolution? And what challenges should one keep in mind?
Aparna Kaushik:
The greatest advantage is coherence. When one vision informs the architectural framework, the interiors, the furniture, and even the landscaping, the result is a seamless experience where every element feels intentional. It allows us to deliver spaces that are not just beautiful but also intuitively functional. The challenge lies in the sheer precision such an approach demands. Every stage requires rigorous attention to detail, open collaboration with craftspeople, and continuous dialogue with clients. It is a delicate balance of creativity and discipline, but the outcome is invariably more authentic and enduring.
What is the very first and most important question you ask a client before starting a project together?
Aparna Kaushik:
I always begin by asking: How do you imagine living here? This question goes beyond aesthetic preferences; it opens up conversations about lifestyle, aspirations, and the emotions they want their home to evoke. A house is not just a structure—it is a vessel for living, hosting, resting, and celebrating. Understanding how a client envisions these rhythms allows me to design a space that is deeply personal, functional, and timeless, while still carrying my own distinct design imprint.
For an architect, balancing a client’s precise requests with one’s own aesthetic vision and values is crucial. What criteria do you use to decide which projects to take on?
Aparna Kaushik:
I believe the most successful projects emerge when there is mutual trust and alignment. I choose to take on projects where the client values design as an art form, not just as a utility. Moreover, their vision must resonate with the studio’s philosophy of timeless elegance, precision, and innovation. This shared respect creates the freedom to experiment while ensuring the final outcome reflects both individuality and integrity. A project, for me, must be more than a commission; it must be a creative partnership.
Looking back at all the projects your studio has worked on, what would you say is the distinctive signature that makes clients choose you over others?
Aparna Kaushik:
Our signature lies at the apex of classical proportions, modern clarity, grandeur and restraint, whilst considering global influence and cultural sensitivity. All our projects are united by an unmistakable thread of refinement, no matter the brief or the aesthetic outcome. As a result, we continue to attract clients who are looking for a design direction that is cohesive, deeply considered, and precise. It’s this approach, along with our stellar client list, that lights the way for new clients who are seeking a timeless home that truly reflects their lifestyle and status.
Your projects combine classical atmospheres with a modern sensibility. Through what lens do you interpret past and present: do you draw from art, history, design, or a blend of all these?
Aparna Kaushik:
It is always a synthesis. Art and architectural history provide lessons in proportion, harmony, and narrative. At the same time, contemporary life demands minimalism, innovation and adaptability. My design language is born from this interplay, where the elegance of the past informs the clarity of the present. The lens is not nostalgic but interpretive, allowing me to create spaces that feel grounded and forward-looking. In this balance lies their universality.
Anyone working in a creative field – not to oversimplify – needs not only technical expertise but also constant inspiration. Where do you find yours? What helps you nurture it? And what role does curiosity play in your work?
Aparna Kaushik:
For me, inspiration is everywhere; in art, cinema, literature, travel, and often in just quiet observation of life itself. More than inspiration, I feel it is curiosity that sustains this creativity. I approach every project, every space and every detail with a sense of inquiry: how can this be reimagined, elevated, or made more meaningful? My curiosity compels me to keep evolving, to blend experimentation with discipline, and to create work that feels fresh yet timeless.
Your studio has now established itself as one of the leading architecture firms in India. What advice would you give to a young designer at the start of their career?
Aparna Kaushik:
Begin with clarity of purpose. Design is not merely about aesthetics, but about empathy, functionality, and a relentless pursuit of precision. Stay curious, absorb knowledge from every discipline, and cultivate patience. Do not be afraid of experimentation, but anchor it with discipline and authenticity. Most importantly, allow your work to be an honest extension of yourself. A signature style is not developed overnight; it emerges from persistence, refinement, and integrity. That is what will distinguish you in the long run.
