Story of Design

Based in New Delhi, India, Spaces Architects@KA was founded by architect and author Kapil Aggarwal and is renowned for its innovative and user-centric design approach. The firm has crafted a series of spaces that evoke emotion, power, and playfulness, blending fresh challenges in architecture, furniture, lighting, and institutional buildings while fostering a culture of perpetual learning and innovation.

Established in 2014, Mumbai-based atArchitecture focuses on sustainable and efficient architecture, landscape, and urban design solutions. The founders, Avneesh Tiwari and Neha Rane, emphasize narrative over image, advocating for simplicity, clarity, and dialogue between user and context, shaping meaningful solutions across all projects in India.

HAS Design and Research, a global design studio based in Bangkok and Shanghai, was founded by Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, who grew up surrounded by traditional Asian architecture. They've redefined modern Asian design by exploring the vitality of self-built shelters, celebrating the region's rich architectural identity and harmony with nature.

Founded in 2008 by Bernardo Quinzaños Oria, CCA Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica is a Mexico-based architectural studio focused on societal impact. They emphasize research, conceptualization, and execution, blending interdisciplinary methods for sustainable projects. In this Story of Design series, Bernardo envisions a future where collaboration shapes better environments.

Cutwork Studio, founded by Antonio Yuji Maeno and Chelsea Crawford, combines diverse backgrounds to create a successful business synergy, showcasing the strength of diversity. The studio collaborates with innovative companies, reshaping living and working spaces, as explored in this Story of Design series.

i/thee, a global design firm founded by energetic trio, Neal Lucas Hitch, Martin Hitch, and Kristina Fisher, celebrates interconnectedness in the environment. In the Story of Design series, Neal and Martin challenge distinctions between living and nonliving, past and present, and self and others.

Alsar Atelier is an architecture studio based in Boston & Bogotá led by Alejandro Saldarriaga. The studio adjusted its focus during the global pandemic to meet the growing demand for outdoor spaces. Emphasizing the need for alternative materials and recycling catalyzed material innovation while directly engaging with communities, deriving joy from the transformative building process.

Drew Seskunas, founder and principal designer of SAW.EARTH, drew his early admiration for urban architecture from having lived in various cities across the United States and Europe. With the exposure to such a notable commissioned project in the western city of Berlin at a young age, Seskunas immersed himself in diverse environments, constantly engaging with architecture using both traditional and tech-aided approaches. These experiences serve as a foundation for his continuous growth in the field, shaping architecture into a catalyst of change and meaningful transformation.

Mumbai-based Malik Architecture, founded by Kamal Malik, seamlessly integrates architectural brilliance with a deep connection to Shimla's landscapes. With four decades of pioneering design, the studio, now led by Arjun Malik, focuses on meaningful connections, sustainability, and well-being. Their design philosophy centers on drawing natural inspiration while acknowledging the global context.

Established in 1987, KPMB is a globally recognized Canadian architectural practice committed to enhancing lives through thoughtfully built environments. The firm addresses challenges like climate change and indigenous community reconciliation with a focus on sustainability. In 2023, KPMB continues its dedication to collaborative innovation, sustainability, equity, diversity, and inclusion, as Mitchell Hall, one of the partners at KPMB, highlights the role of people in architecture, emphasizing the creation of functional, inspiring spaces that contribute to a better world through thoughtful approaches and innovative solutions.