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SEPT 20-21, 2025 : BANGALORE
THE GREEN PRINT :
TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
BENGALURU
Elev8, a vibrant architecture and design festival, an initiative by The Architects Diary, is the Summit of the Greatest Minds & World-Changing Thinkers. By connecting the right questions with the right people, Elev8 serves as a dynamic platform and amplifies the voice of the community. Elev8 explores how design can create lasting impacts, spark change, and shape a future that endures.
Sustainability is not a new concept; it has always been integral to the Indian way of life, deeply embedded in our traditions, materials, and spatial intelligence. We are not reinventing sustainability; we are reclaiming it. The theme of this Elev8, The Green Print: Towards A Sustainable Future, is a manifesto for regenerative futures, a call to radically reimagine how we build, inhabit, and restore our world in the face of ecological collapse. This is about design as responsibility—about creating spaces that are alive, that breathe, evolve, and give back. It is a movement that honors the architects, designers, and material thinkers who are designing the future not by reacting to crisis but by rewriting the system, rethinking what and how we build at every scale.
30+
SPEAKERS
5+
MASTERCLASSES
1000+
ATTENDEES
10+
BRANDS
100+
SHEET DISPLAYS
10+
INSTALLATIONS
VENUE : SABHA BLR
Sabha is housed within a 160-year building that was once part of RBANM’s historic educational institutions, a legacy of Dharmarathnakara Rai Bahadur Arcot Narrainswamy Mudaliar. Founded in 1873, RBANM’s Educational Charities has played a vital role in shaping Bengaluru’s educational landscape, emphasizing access, inclusivity, and empowerment across generations.The building once housed the CVS Sabha School and it is from this legacy that the name “Sabha” was derived. The logo of Sabha symbolizes a meeting of the minds where each letter forms a person-unique and diverse-coming together to debate, share and celebrate.
Rooted in heritage but forward-looking in its approach, Sabha continues RBANM’s commitment to learning and social impact—offering an inclusive platform for artists, thinkers, and the next generation of creators.
SPEAKERS
OUR SPEAKERS
ELEV8 represents the visionaries of the design world to ignite some of the greatest minds. Their groundbreaking philosophies and contributions have redefined the global architectural landscape and transformed the built environment. From thought provoking Speeches from the Experts to intriguing Panel Discussions, come along for impactful learnings.
Bijoy Ramachandran
Hundredhands Design
Bijoy Ramachandran is an architect based in Bangalore and is a partner at Hundredhands, a studio he founded in 2003 with Sunitha Kondur. He currently serves on the faculty of architecture at the British School at Rome and is the design chair for the postgraduate program at BMS College of Architecture in Bengaluru. Ramachandran has been a panelist at the annual all-India undergraduate thesis review, the Kurula Varkey Forum, at CEPT, Ahmedabad, and serves on the Board of Reviewers of SEED, Kochi, and the Board of Studies of the Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, Mumbai. Ramachandran has a master’s degree in architecture and urbanism from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree from BMS College of Architecture; he has also attended the Glenn Murcutt masterclass in Sydney. In addition to practicing architecture, he has produced three documentary films: two on the celebrated Indian architect Sri B.V. Doshi, ‘Doshi’ (2008) and ‘Doshi: The Second Chapter’ (2019), and one on architectural practice in Bangalore, ‘Architecture and the City: A Bangalore Perspective’ (2005).
Bijoy Ramachandran is an architect based in Bangalore and is a partner at Hundredhands, a studio he founded in 2003 with Sunitha Kondur. He currently serves on the faculty of architecture at the British School at Rome and is the design chair for the postgraduate program at BMS College of Architecture in Bengaluru. Ramachandran has been a panelist at the annual all-India undergraduate thesis review, the Kurula Varkey Forum, at CEPT, Ahmedabad, and serves on the Board of Reviewers of SEED, Kochi, and the Board of Studies of the Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, Mumbai. Ramachandran has a master’s degree in architecture and urbanism from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree from BMS College of Architecture; he has also attended the Glenn Murcutt masterclass in Sydney. In addition to practicing architecture, he has produced three documentary films: two on the celebrated Indian architect Sri B.V. Doshi, ‘Doshi’ (2008) and ‘Doshi: The Second Chapter’ (2019), and one on architectural practice in Bangalore, ‘Architecture and the City: A Bangalore Perspective’ (2005).
Nisha Mathew & Soumitro Ghosh
Mathew and Ghosh Architects
Nisha Mathew Ghosh began her practice over 25 years ago and has become a renowned name not just in the architectural community in India and internationally but also in related domains of artistic practice. Some of her seminal collaborative works are the architectural and landscape project for The Bhopal Gas Tragedy Memorial, as well as the unique home—House of Stories—and The National Military Martyrs Memorial. Nisha Mathew’s artistic practice may be seen as one that is curatorial by nature and is a hybrid artistic endeavor that straddles textile art, architecture, and landscapes.
In 2021 she was the curator for the India Pavilion, London Design Biennale. She has something to voice in her observation of the world around her and her interest in the spiritual, and her practice moves fluidly across these domains as a confluence of many strands.
Soumitro is a partner in Mathew and Ghosh Architects, a partnership founded by Nisha Mathew in 1995. Educated at the School of Architecture CEPT Ahmedabad, Soumitro Ghosh had earlier worked with Pritzker Laureate B.V. Doshi, R.J. Vasavada, Neelkanth Chaaya, K.B. Jain, and others before beginning this collaborative multidirectional practice. The practice covers a wide spectrum and ranges from projects/ideas to do with the urban environment, sustainability, architecture, space, interiors, product design, and so on. Some of the executed projects include urban/people parks and memorials, hospitality-focused projects, conservation, industrial facilities, corporate offices, religious and residential buildings, exhibition design, interiors, furniture, jewelry, art, and installations. He has taught at the Bengal Institute, Dhaka, and been the Charles Correa Design Chair, a juror, a panellist, etc., at numerous institutions, occasions, and forums. He began his journey of teaching with Kumar Vyas, founding member of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
Nisha Mathew Ghosh began her practice over 25 years ago and has become a renowned name not just in the architectural community in India and internationally but also in related domains of artistic practice. Some of her seminal collaborative works are the architectural and landscape project for The Bhopal Gas Tragedy Memorial, as well as the unique home—House of Stories—and The National Military Martyrs Memorial. Nisha Mathew’s artistic practice may be seen as one that is curatorial by nature and is a hybrid artistic endeavor that straddles textile art, architecture, and landscapes.
In 2021 she was the curator for the India Pavilion, London Design Biennale. She has something to voice in her observation of the world around her and her interest in the spiritual, and her practice moves fluidly across these domains as a confluence of many strands.
Soumitro is a partner in Mathew and Ghosh Architects, a partnership founded by Nisha Mathew in 1995. Educated at the School of Architecture CEPT Ahmedabad, Soumitro Ghosh had earlier worked with Pritzker Laureate B.V. Doshi, R.J. Vasavada, Neelkanth Chaaya, K.B. Jain, and others before beginning this collaborative multidirectional practice. The practice covers a wide spectrum and ranges from projects/ideas to do with the urban environment, sustainability, architecture, space, interiors, product design, and so on. Some of the executed projects include urban/people parks and memorials, hospitality-focused projects, conservation, industrial facilities, corporate offices, religious and residential buildings, exhibition design, interiors, furniture, jewelry, art, and installations. He has taught at the Bengal Institute, Dhaka, and been the Charles Correa Design Chair, a juror, a panellist, etc., at numerous institutions, occasions, and forums. He began his journey of teaching with Kumar Vyas, founding member of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
Amaresh Anand & Sandeep Khosla
KHOSLA + ANAND
KHOSLA + ANAND (formerly Khosla Associates) is a leading architecture and interior design firm based in Bangalore, India. The firm headed by principals Sandeep Khosla and partner and principal Amaresh Anand creates a versatile body of context-driven work ranging from architecture and interiors of residences and corporate offices and retail and hospitality spaces to educational institutions. Key awards include the ‘Inside Outside Designer of the Year’ Award, 2010; the ‘Education’ category winner at the WAF/INSIDE Festival 2013 in Singapore; the winner of the WAN ‘House of the Year 2017’ in London; the ‘JK Architect of the Year’ award 2024; and a few more.
KHOSLA + ANAND’s distinct style of tropical architecture uses local materials and concepts but reinterprets them with a unique and contemporary design sensibility. The firm’s interest in global/local trends in fashion, lifestyle, and design is reflected in their varied palette of bar, restaurant, office, and hotel projects across India.
KHOSLA + ANAND (formerly Khosla Associates) is a leading architecture and interior design firm based in Bangalore, India. The firm headed by principals Sandeep Khosla and partner and principal Amaresh Anand creates a versatile body of context-driven work ranging from architecture and interiors of residences and corporate offices and retail and hospitality spaces to educational institutions. Key awards include the ‘Inside Outside Designer of the Year’ Award, 2010; the ‘Education’ category winner at the WAF/INSIDE Festival 2013 in Singapore; the winner of the WAN ‘House of the Year 2017’ in London; the ‘JK Architect of the Year’ award 2024; and a few more.
KHOSLA + ANAND’s distinct style of tropical architecture uses local materials and concepts but reinterprets them with a unique and contemporary design sensibility. The firm’s interest in global/local trends in fashion, lifestyle, and design is reflected in their varied palette of bar, restaurant, office, and hotel projects across India.
Chitra Vishwanath
Biome Environmental Solutions
Chitra is the original creator and managing director of Biome Environmental Solutions, a diverse team of 30 professionals engaged in the realm of ecological architecture and innovative water and waste solutions located in Bangalore, India. Coming from an artistic lineage, with a father a sculptor and a mother a homemaker, Chitra's educational journey began in Banaras. Her family's relocation to Nigeria in 1977 led her to pursue a civil engineering diploma at Auchi Polytechnic.
In 1990, after completing her studies at the School of Architecture CEPT India, Chitra initiated her architectural enterprise in Bangalore, marking the commencement of a fortuitous journey. At Biome, the aim has been to seamlessly fuse challenges encompassing materials, ecology, and requisites into holistic ecosystem designs. Chitra's involvement in education and design workshops is notable. Her recent educational endeavors encompass leading the Monsoon semester at the School of Architecture CEPT Ahmedabad in both 2020 and 2021.
She orchestrated a design workshop at Archiprix 2017 in CEPT Ahmedabad and held the Charles Correa Academic Chair at Goa College of Architecture in 2018. Presently, she has served as a design mentor at NITTE Mangalore since 2019. Noteworthy highlights in her career include her role as a juror at the 2A Continental Architectural Awards in Madrid 2019, participation as a judge at the Asia Edition of YTAA 2020 conducted by Fundacio Mies Van Der Rohe Barcelona, and contribution as a judge at the D&AD and Dezeen awards. She has also been awarded the The WADE Sustainability Champion of the Year Award, presented by WADE ASIA in 2023.
Chitra is the original creator and managing director of Biome Environmental Solutions, a diverse team of 30 professionals engaged in the realm of ecological architecture and innovative water and waste solutions located in Bangalore, India. Coming from an artistic lineage, with a father a sculptor and a mother a homemaker, Chitra's educational journey began in Banaras. Her family's relocation to Nigeria in 1977 led her to pursue a civil engineering diploma at Auchi Polytechnic.
In 1990, after completing her studies at the School of Architecture CEPT India, Chitra initiated her architectural enterprise in Bangalore, marking the commencement of a fortuitous journey. At Biome, the aim has been to seamlessly fuse challenges encompassing materials, ecology, and requisites into holistic ecosystem designs. Chitra's involvement in education and design workshops is notable. Her recent educational endeavors encompass leading the Monsoon semester at the School of Architecture CEPT Ahmedabad in both 2020 and 2021.
She orchestrated a design workshop at Archiprix 2017 in CEPT Ahmedabad and held the Charles Correa Academic Chair at Goa College of Architecture in 2018. Presently, she has served as a design mentor at NITTE Mangalore since 2019. Noteworthy highlights in her career include her role as a juror at the 2A Continental Architectural Awards in Madrid 2019, participation as a judge at the Asia Edition of YTAA 2020 conducted by Fundacio Mies Van Der Rohe Barcelona, and contribution as a judge at the D&AD and Dezeen awards. She has also been awarded the The WADE Sustainability Champion of the Year Award, presented by WADE ASIA in 2023.
Naresh Narasimhan
Venkataramanan Associates
‘Naresh’ V Narasimhan is an architect, urbanist, and creative entrepreneur, practicing for over 38 years. He is best known for his association and leadership at Venkataramanan Associates, an award-winning design consultancy in Bangalore. He understands that creating a long-term vision for the city is a broad discipline by itself, and the path toward sensitive planning needs to be anything but traditional. His varied interests have been a great influence on how he thinks about the city and its pluralities.
He is also known for co-founding the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) and Mod Foundation—an international collective of urban designers, researchers, and curators. Naresh has received acclaim for a range of strategic urban interventions across all typologies and scales that are self-generated, experimental, and innovative.
Naresh has also been associated with projects of cultural significance to the city, like the Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy, as well as the Bangalore International Centre (BIC), both renowned as platforms to foster intellectual activity, cultural enterprise, and innovation in the city. He also regularly advises government agencies on infrastructure development. Naresh is a member of the TEDx community.
‘Naresh’ V Narasimhan is an architect, urbanist, and creative entrepreneur, practicing for over 38 years. He is best known for his association and leadership at Venkataramanan Associates, an award-winning design consultancy in Bangalore. He understands that creating a long-term vision for the city is a broad discipline by itself, and the path toward sensitive planning needs to be anything but traditional. His varied interests have been a great influence on how he thinks about the city and its pluralities.
He is also known for co-founding the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) and Mod Foundation—an international collective of urban designers, researchers, and curators. Naresh has received acclaim for a range of strategic urban interventions across all typologies and scales that are self-generated, experimental, and innovative.
Naresh has also been associated with projects of cultural significance to the city, like the Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy, as well as the Bangalore International Centre (BIC), both renowned as platforms to foster intellectual activity, cultural enterprise, and innovation in the city. He also regularly advises government agencies on infrastructure development. Naresh is a member of the TEDx community.
Gayathri Shetty
Gayathri and Namith Architects
Ar. Gayathri Shetty, an esteemed alumnus of BMS College of Engineering, began her design journey at Mistry Architects under the tutelage of Shahrukh & Renu Mistry. Within a few short years of learning, she decided it was time to venture out and take the reins of her own practice and partnered with Ar. Namith Varma started her own firm in 1993.
The core ethos of GNA is centered around helping clients turn their vision into reality, whilst pushing the boundaries of design by making strides into sustainable and determined innovative design practices and details. The integration of art and landscape into the very fabric of functional designs plays a pivotal role in directing the human experience on every scale of projects undertaken by the firm. Every intentional injection of art connects the project back and helps create a unique identity, rooted in Indianness.
Ar. Gayathri Shetty, an esteemed alumnus of BMS College of Engineering, began her design journey at Mistry Architects under the tutelage of Shahrukh & Renu Mistry. Within a few short years of learning, she decided it was time to venture out and take the reins of her own practice and partnered with Ar. Namith Varma started her own firm in 1993.
The core ethos of GNA is centered around helping clients turn their vision into reality, whilst pushing the boundaries of design by making strides into sustainable and determined innovative design practices and details. The integration of art and landscape into the very fabric of functional designs plays a pivotal role in directing the human experience on every scale of projects undertaken by the firm. Every intentional injection of art connects the project back and helps create a unique identity, rooted in Indianness.
Lester Rozario
Kamat & Rozario Architecture
Lester Rozario graduated from MSRIT Bangalore with a gold medal in architecture in 2007. He worked with Mathew and Ghosh Architects before teaming up with Smruti Kamat to start Kamat and Rozario Architecture. It is the firm’s belief that one cannot stop being an architect at the end of the business day. The act of practicing architecture puts one in a very unique position - where the Venn diagram of aesthetics and architectural tectonics meets that of the appreciation of human nature. The profession has always had a strong hand in steering almost all their choices and decisions. One’s work, therefore, is an expression of one’s beliefs, and each project is driven by an unrelenting trust in the process of design.
Lester Rozario graduated from MSRIT Bangalore with a gold medal in architecture in 2007. He worked with Mathew and Ghosh Architects before teaming up with Smruti Kamat to start Kamat and Rozario Architecture. It is the firm’s belief that one cannot stop being an architect at the end of the business day. The act of practicing architecture puts one in a very unique position - where the Venn diagram of aesthetics and architectural tectonics meets that of the appreciation of human nature. The profession has always had a strong hand in steering almost all their choices and decisions. One’s work, therefore, is an expression of one’s beliefs, and each project is driven by an unrelenting trust in the process of design.
Eliza Higgins
CollectiveProject
Eliza Higgins co-founded CollectiveProject with partner Cyrus Patell in 2013. Now based full-time in Bangalore, Eliza previously worked as a designer at Canon Design, Deborah Berke Partners, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, contributing to institutional, hospitality, and cultural projects. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Roger Williams University and a master’s degree from Yale University, where she was awarded the David M. Schwarz Architectural Services Award. Eliza has served as a visiting critic at Yale University, Parsons School of Design, the University at Buffalo, and Roger Williams University.
Eliza Higgins co-founded CollectiveProject with partner Cyrus Patell in 2013. Now based full-time in Bangalore, Eliza previously worked as a designer at Canon Design, Deborah Berke Partners, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, contributing to institutional, hospitality, and cultural projects. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Roger Williams University and a master’s degree from Yale University, where she was awarded the David M. Schwarz Architectural Services Award. Eliza has served as a visiting critic at Yale University, Parsons School of Design, the University at Buffalo, and Roger Williams University.
Gowri Rao
Gayathri and Namith Architects
Architect Gowri Rao studied architecture at BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore. A chance peep into a Geoffrey Bawa book when still in school had her fascinated with design. The sheer simplicity, the thoughtful details, and a sense of belonging had her on a path deeply connected with architecture and design. Currently working as an associate director at Gayathri and Namith Architects, she has been part of the team for the last 27 years. This journey so far has been filled with meaningful designs, clients becoming friends, and dreams being realized at the site. She has been part of the core team that has worked on many of the 45 national and international awards in architecture and interiors that GNA has been recognized with.
Architect Gowri Rao studied architecture at BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore. A chance peep into a Geoffrey Bawa book when still in school had her fascinated with design. The sheer simplicity, the thoughtful details, and a sense of belonging had her on a path deeply connected with architecture and design. Currently working as an associate director at Gayathri and Namith Architects, she has been part of the team for the last 27 years. This journey so far has been filled with meaningful designs, clients becoming friends, and dreams being realized at the site. She has been part of the core team that has worked on many of the 45 national and international awards in architecture and interiors that GNA has been recognized with.
Husna Rahaman
Fulcrum Studio
HUSNA RAHAMAN is an award-winning, globally acclaimed architect, poet, and published author. She has used the world as her laboratory since she was knee-high to a rabbit. Her creative intent is rooted in the conviction that architecture can and indeed must stir human consciousness. It can and must transcend planes, moving the perceiver between the physical realm of brick and mortar into the magical realm of emotion, feeling, and connection. It is for this unique philosophy that her projects have been acclaimed and awarded during her two-decade career.
Husna’s life force is as playful as it is powerful. Her energy is embodied in her conviction that there is a ‘bridge’ that everyone must traverse, a place of beauty and wonder; it is found when the planes that are conventionally thought of as exclusive are fused through intellect and creativity.
In the words of Lorinda Mamo, "Every great design begins with an even better story," and Husna has been storytelling through her design form in the most passionate, intellectual, and soulful manner.
HUSNA RAHAMAN is an award-winning, globally acclaimed architect, poet, and published author. She has used the world as her laboratory since she was knee-high to a rabbit. Her creative intent is rooted in the conviction that architecture can and indeed must stir human consciousness. It can and must transcend planes, moving the perceiver between the physical realm of brick and mortar into the magical realm of emotion, feeling, and connection. It is for this unique philosophy that her projects have been acclaimed and awarded during her two-decade career.
Husna’s life force is as playful as it is powerful. Her energy is embodied in her conviction that there is a ‘bridge’ that everyone must traverse, a place of beauty and wonder; it is found when the planes that are conventionally thought of as exclusive are fused through intellect and creativity.
In the words of Lorinda Mamo, "Every great design begins with an even better story," and Husna has been storytelling through her design form in the most passionate, intellectual, and soulful manner.
Gaurav Panjwani
Studio GSA
Gaurav Panjwani is the co-founder and principal designer at Studio GSA. His journey into architecture began with exploration—first considering careers in law and dentistry—before a series of transformative experiences revealed his true passion for design. He studied at RV College of Engineering, where he met Santosh, his life partner and future co-founder, and where his enthusiasm for architectural design truly took shape.
Known for his adaptive, client‑centered approach, Gaurav blends clean modern aesthetics, traditional craftsmanship, and practical functionality. Inspired deeply by travel, he draws from diverse architectural environments to inform his creative vision. Beyond architecture, he's also passionate about cricket and tennis, which help him maintain balance outside his work.
Together with Santosh, Gaurav has shaped Studio GSA into a collaborative, innovative practice that prioritizes client comfort, transparent communication, and personalized, meaningful spaces—reflecting both visionary design and meticulous execution.
Gaurav Panjwani is the co-founder and principal designer at Studio GSA. His journey into architecture began with exploration—first considering careers in law and dentistry—before a series of transformative experiences revealed his true passion for design. He studied at RV College of Engineering, where he met Santosh, his life partner and future co-founder, and where his enthusiasm for architectural design truly took shape.
Known for his adaptive, client‑centered approach, Gaurav blends clean modern aesthetics, traditional craftsmanship, and practical functionality. Inspired deeply by travel, he draws from diverse architectural environments to inform his creative vision. Beyond architecture, he's also passionate about cricket and tennis, which help him maintain balance outside his work.
Together with Santosh, Gaurav has shaped Studio GSA into a collaborative, innovative practice that prioritizes client comfort, transparent communication, and personalized, meaningful spaces—reflecting both visionary design and meticulous execution.
Andre Camara
Studio Camarada
Andre Camara is an architect and co-founder of Studio Camarada, a multidisciplinary design practice based in Bangalore. Originally from Goa, Andre blends tropical sensibilities with a modern, context-driven approach to design. Alongside his partner Shravya Shetty, he has built a practice known for its thoughtful detailing, adaptive reuse, and a strong connection to material honesty. Whether it’s a soulful café, a vibrant pub, or a serene home, Andre’s work seeks to create experiences that feel intuitive and timeless. With a deep love for the outdoors and a spirit of adventure, his design ethos naturally leans towards open spaces, natural light, and elements that age gracefully. Studio Camarada thrives on collaboration, both within the team and with clients, artists, and craftsmen. Each project becomes a narrative, layered with stories, people, and places. Andre’s curiosity, clarity of vision, and laid-back charm continue to shape spaces across scales, with quiet confidence and flair.
Andre Camara is an architect and co-founder of Studio Camarada, a multidisciplinary design practice based in Bangalore. Originally from Goa, Andre blends tropical sensibilities with a modern, context-driven approach to design. Alongside his partner Shravya Shetty, he has built a practice known for its thoughtful detailing, adaptive reuse, and a strong connection to material honesty. Whether it’s a soulful café, a vibrant pub, or a serene home, Andre’s work seeks to create experiences that feel intuitive and timeless. With a deep love for the outdoors and a spirit of adventure, his design ethos naturally leans towards open spaces, natural light, and elements that age gracefully. Studio Camarada thrives on collaboration, both within the team and with clients, artists, and craftsmen. Each project becomes a narrative, layered with stories, people, and places. Andre’s curiosity, clarity of vision, and laid-back charm continue to shape spaces across scales, with quiet confidence and flair.
Sonal Mutha
Studio Ipsa
Sonal Mutha is the principal designer and partner at Studio Ipsa, a Bangalore-based interior design studio known for its bespoke, detail-driven spaces. With a deep sensitivity to materials, textures, and human experience, Sonal’s design approach is rooted in creating homes and environments that are both soulful and functional.
Over the years, she has led the design direction for some of the studio’s most celebrated residential and retail projects, bringing together thoughtful space planning, timeless aesthetics, and collaborative craftsmanship. Known for her calm precision, creative clarity, and sharp eye for detail, Sonal believes that outstanding design is as much about restraint as it is about expression.
Her work has been featured in national publications, and she continues to inspire both clients and young designers through her passion for storytelling through spaces.
Sonal Mutha is the principal designer and partner at Studio Ipsa, a Bangalore-based interior design studio known for its bespoke, detail-driven spaces. With a deep sensitivity to materials, textures, and human experience, Sonal’s design approach is rooted in creating homes and environments that are both soulful and functional.
Over the years, she has led the design direction for some of the studio’s most celebrated residential and retail projects, bringing together thoughtful space planning, timeless aesthetics, and collaborative craftsmanship. Known for her calm precision, creative clarity, and sharp eye for detail, Sonal believes that outstanding design is as much about restraint as it is about expression.
Her work has been featured in national publications, and she continues to inspire both clients and young designers through her passion for storytelling through spaces.
Hamsini Murali
Balan + Nambisan Architects
Hamsini Murali is an associate architect and interior designer at Balan + Nambisan Architects, with over fifteen years of experience. She has worked across a diverse range of projects, including homes, retail spaces, bars, and experience centers, largely within the bespoke and luxury segments. She leads a dynamic team of designers, delivering thoughtful and detail-driven projects across the country.
Her design sensibility is deeply rooted in an early introduction to tropical modernism, which continues to shape her philosophy. Hamsini loves experimenting with art and objects, always finding ways to create spaces that stir strong emotions and make meaningful experiences for their users. When she’s not designing, she can be found on the ultimate frisbee field—she loves the sport and has represented the country at Worlds Masters with her club. It’s quite a journey balancing her love for an active lifestyle, parenting her toddler, and the world of design.
Hamsini Murali is an associate architect and interior designer at Balan + Nambisan Architects, with over fifteen years of experience. She has worked across a diverse range of projects, including homes, retail spaces, bars, and experience centers, largely within the bespoke and luxury segments. She leads a dynamic team of designers, delivering thoughtful and detail-driven projects across the country.
Her design sensibility is deeply rooted in an early introduction to tropical modernism, which continues to shape her philosophy. Hamsini loves experimenting with art and objects, always finding ways to create spaces that stir strong emotions and make meaningful experiences for their users. When she’s not designing, she can be found on the ultimate frisbee field—she loves the sport and has represented the country at Worlds Masters with her club. It’s quite a journey balancing her love for an active lifestyle, parenting her toddler, and the world of design.
Kavya Sheth
Studio Ruh
Kavya Sheth is the founding partner of Studio Ruh. After pursuing her design education in Italy, her early years were shaped by mentorships across Italy and India. Her practice today is rooted in clarity, empathy, and intention, values she shares with partner Shruthy Sanghvi. Together, they lead Ruh with a focus on creating timeless, human-centric spaces that feel effortless yet meticulously detailed.
Studio Ruh stands apart for its process-driven approach and deep respect for context. The studio thrives on collaboration, not just between its team, but with clients, artisans, and materiality itself. Their work spans diverse scales and typologies, reflecting an intentional refusal to be defined by a single aesthetic. Instead, Ruh responds intuitively to each brief, allowing the design to emerge from the needs of the space, its users, and its story. With an eye on craft and a commitment to integrity, Ruh’s work reflects a quiet confidence, where each detail serves both purpose and emotion.
Kavya Sheth is the founding partner of Studio Ruh. After pursuing her design education in Italy, her early years were shaped by mentorships across Italy and India. Her practice today is rooted in clarity, empathy, and intention, values she shares with partner Shruthy Sanghvi. Together, they lead Ruh with a focus on creating timeless, human-centric spaces that feel effortless yet meticulously detailed.
Studio Ruh stands apart for its process-driven approach and deep respect for context. The studio thrives on collaboration, not just between its team, but with clients, artisans, and materiality itself. Their work spans diverse scales and typologies, reflecting an intentional refusal to be defined by a single aesthetic. Instead, Ruh responds intuitively to each brief, allowing the design to emerge from the needs of the space, its users, and its story. With an eye on craft and a commitment to integrity, Ruh’s work reflects a quiet confidence, where each detail serves both purpose and emotion.
Arati Yagnik
Gensler
Arati is an interior designer with 20 years of professional experience. With over 6 years at Gensler, she possesses in-depth knowledge of project delivery from conceptualization to project completion. She has worked on various projects, including offices, residences, education, and retail, with a predominant focus on residences and corporate workplaces. She has graduated from C.E.P.T. University, Ahmedabad (India), with a bachelor’s degree in interior and faculty of design.
At Gensler, the value of their work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. They are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to create impactful, cutting-edge solutions for their clients. Together, they are reimagining the cities, places, and experiences that impact people’s everyday lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year on projects that act as catalysts for growth.
Arati is an interior designer with 20 years of professional experience. With over 6 years at Gensler, she possesses in-depth knowledge of project delivery from conceptualization to project completion. She has worked on various projects, including offices, residences, education, and retail, with a predominant focus on residences and corporate workplaces. She has graduated from C.E.P.T. University, Ahmedabad (India), with a bachelor’s degree in interior and faculty of design.
At Gensler, the value of their work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. They are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to create impactful, cutting-edge solutions for their clients. Together, they are reimagining the cities, places, and experiences that impact people’s everyday lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year on projects that act as catalysts for growth.
Shilpa Revankar
Zyeta
Shilpa (co-founder) is the artistic backbone of team Zyeta. A charming human being who lives life on the edge, Shilpa is all about heart. She comes with a passionate love for design and architecture that is reflected in every inch of her work. When not switching meeting rooms and conferences, you will find Shilpa chilling out with her team, laughing out loudly at random workplace jokes.
Zyeta is an integrated workspace design and build services firm that specializes in delivering exceptional workspace interiors that leverage the latest thinking in design, workforce optimization, and the environment. With their unique combination of people, process, and technology, they strive to provide their clientele with unparalleled value. Zyeta provides its turnkey services for leading organizations across a spectrum of industries.
Shilpa (co-founder) is the artistic backbone of team Zyeta. A charming human being who lives life on the edge, Shilpa is all about heart. She comes with a passionate love for design and architecture that is reflected in every inch of her work. When not switching meeting rooms and conferences, you will find Shilpa chilling out with her team, laughing out loudly at random workplace jokes.
Zyeta is an integrated workspace design and build services firm that specializes in delivering exceptional workspace interiors that leverage the latest thinking in design, workforce optimization, and the environment. With their unique combination of people, process, and technology, they strive to provide their clientele with unparalleled value. Zyeta provides its turnkey services for leading organizations across a spectrum of industries.
Sandhya Hegde
Space Matrix
Sandhya is the head of the in-house sustainability team at SM, bringing over 15 years of professional experience in the field of sustainability. Her expertise spans green buildings, healthy buildings, corporate sustainability, and ESG. She holds credentials including LEED AP, WELL AP, RESET AP, and IGBC AP. With a background in environmental engineering, Sandhya is passionate about promoting sustainable practices and truly believes sustainable living should be the standard.
At Space Matrix Design Consultants, they understand the power of workplace design in creating flourishing communities within organizations. The concept of work and the expectations from the workplace have evolved and will continue to evolve. The office, whether physical, hybrid, or even in the metaverse, will need to create inspiration.
Sandhya is the head of the in-house sustainability team at SM, bringing over 15 years of professional experience in the field of sustainability. Her expertise spans green buildings, healthy buildings, corporate sustainability, and ESG. She holds credentials including LEED AP, WELL AP, RESET AP, and IGBC AP. With a background in environmental engineering, Sandhya is passionate about promoting sustainable practices and truly believes sustainable living should be the standard.
At Space Matrix Design Consultants, they understand the power of workplace design in creating flourishing communities within organizations. The concept of work and the expectations from the workplace have evolved and will continue to evolve. The office, whether physical, hybrid, or even in the metaverse, will need to create inspiration.
Luca Zamparo
Ultraconfidentiel Design
Luca Zamparo is an architect shaped by places, stories, and the pursuit of meaning through design. With over a decade of experience across Italy, Switzerland, and India, he approaches interiors as powerful expressions of identity and transformation. His journey spans fashion installations in Milan to leading large-scale retail, hospitality, and workplace projects. Since 2019, he has headed the creative studio at Ultraconfidentiel, managing teams across Mumbai and Bangalore. Luca has crafted design narratives for some of the most important leading companies in finance and real estate. His minimalist yet expressive voice aims to leave a lasting spatial impression.
Ultraconfidentiel's entrepreneurial journey is an inspiring story of innovation, resilience, and a commitment to design excellence. Founded in 2007 in New Delhi with a vision to redefine design, the company embarked on its mission to create environments that reflect creativity, functionality, and the spirit of the organizations they serve.
Luca Zamparo is an architect shaped by places, stories, and the pursuit of meaning through design. With over a decade of experience across Italy, Switzerland, and India, he approaches interiors as powerful expressions of identity and transformation. His journey spans fashion installations in Milan to leading large-scale retail, hospitality, and workplace projects. Since 2019, he has headed the creative studio at Ultraconfidentiel, managing teams across Mumbai and Bangalore. Luca has crafted design narratives for some of the most important leading companies in finance and real estate. His minimalist yet expressive voice aims to leave a lasting spatial impression.
Ultraconfidentiel's entrepreneurial journey is an inspiring story of innovation, resilience, and a commitment to design excellence. Founded in 2007 in New Delhi with a vision to redefine design, the company embarked on its mission to create environments that reflect creativity, functionality, and the spirit of the organizations they serve.
Dr. Anup Naik
IGBC, Bengaluru Chapter
Urban Frames Pvt ltd
Dr. Anup Naik is the Chairman of IGBC Bengaluru Chapter, founder director of Urban Frame Pvt Ltd and a distinguished architect and urban designer. He holds a PhD in Sustainable Architecture from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, with BMS College of Architecture as his research center. He also earned a master’s in urban design from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, and a bachelor’s in architecture from BMS College of Architecture, Bangalore. With 28 years of experience, Dr. Naik has worked in countries such as Morocco, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kenya, Vietnam, and across India. He is also a professor at RV College of Architecture and serves on the advisory boards of several architecture colleges.
Dr. Naik specializes in user-centric and sustainable design and has been actively involved in the Smart City Mission, including roles as Independent Director of Smart City Bengaluru, Built Environment expert for Shivamogga Smart City, and Waterfront Consultant for Mangaluru Smart City. He is passionate about integrating sustainability into modern architecture and has led his firm in various projects across multiple sectors. He is affiliated with numerous professional organizations, including the Council of Architecture, the Indian Institute of Architects, the Institute of Urban Design India, INTACH, the Indian Green Building Council, the Institute of Valuers, and the Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats. Dr. Naik has also contributed to framing sustainability guidelines for green homes and interiors through the IGBC.
Urban Frames Pvt ltd
Dr. Anup Naik is the Chairman of IGBC Bengaluru Chapter, founder director of Urban Frame Pvt Ltd and a distinguished architect and urban designer. He holds a PhD in Sustainable Architecture from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, with BMS College of Architecture as his research center. He also earned a master’s in urban design from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, and a bachelor’s in architecture from BMS College of Architecture, Bangalore. With 28 years of experience, Dr. Naik has worked in countries such as Morocco, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kenya, Vietnam, and across India. He is also a professor at RV College of Architecture and serves on the advisory boards of several architecture colleges.
Dr. Naik specializes in user-centric and sustainable design and has been actively involved in the Smart City Mission, including roles as Independent Director of Smart City Bengaluru, Built Environment expert for Shivamogga Smart City, and Waterfront Consultant for Mangaluru Smart City. He is passionate about integrating sustainability into modern architecture and has led his firm in various projects across multiple sectors. He is affiliated with numerous professional organizations, including the Council of Architecture, the Indian Institute of Architects, the Institute of Urban Design India, INTACH, the Indian Green Building Council, the Institute of Valuers, and the Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats. Dr. Naik has also contributed to framing sustainability guidelines for green homes and interiors through the IGBC.
Workshops
MASTERCLASS
With the aim of educating professional and young minds beyond designing, ELEV8 has carefully curated Masterclasses in which leading creative minds of India who's expertise will guide individuals to enter design world with new skills and perspectives.
Neelam Manjunath
Manasaram Architects
masterclass : The ‘Misunderstood’ Bamboo
Ar. Neelam Manjunath is an architect, author, planner, scientist, activist, and theoretician. She has been practicing since 1991. Her architecture is distinguished for sustainability with a special emphasis on bamboo. Her work has been published widely and presented in several national and international forums. She is on several technical committees on sustainability and bamboo. She is the CEO and founder of CGBMT, Bangalore, doing R&D, applications, and training on bamboo since 1999. She has won several national and international nominations, awards, and honors for her works with bamboo, sustainability, and design.
masterclass : The ‘Misunderstood’ Bamboo
Ar. Neelam Manjunath is an architect, author, planner, scientist, activist, and theoretician. She has been practicing since 1991. Her architecture is distinguished for sustainability with a special emphasis on bamboo. Her work has been published widely and presented in several national and international forums. She is on several technical committees on sustainability and bamboo. She is the CEO and founder of CGBMT, Bangalore, doing R&D, applications, and training on bamboo since 1999. She has won several national and international nominations, awards, and honors for her works with bamboo, sustainability, and design.
Saptarshi Prakash
Assistant Vice President of Design, Swiggy
Masterclass : Why UI/UX Matters: The Design Story of Swiggy
Saptarshi, a.k.a. Sapta, is an engineer from IIT Madras who has turned into a product designer & content creator based in Bangalore. He is the Assistant Vice President of Design at Swiggy and is a highly influential figure in the fields of design, startups & content creation. He has conducted 150+ talks & workshops, including 3 TEDx talks.
He has the ability to explain complex concepts in a way that is easily understandable to everyone. He uses everyday examples and analogies to simplify ideas. It is believed that he once explained UX design to his grandmother using the example of Poha. :)
Masterclass : Why UI/UX Matters: The Design Story of Swiggy
Saptarshi, a.k.a. Sapta, is an engineer from IIT Madras who has turned into a product designer & content creator based in Bangalore. He is the Assistant Vice President of Design at Swiggy and is a highly influential figure in the fields of design, startups & content creation. He has conducted 150+ talks & workshops, including 3 TEDx talks.
He has the ability to explain complex concepts in a way that is easily understandable to everyone. He uses everyday examples and analogies to simplify ideas. It is believed that he once explained UX design to his grandmother using the example of Poha. :)
Agnimitra Poornima Bachi & Shruthi Ramakrishna
Made in Earth Collective, Bengaluru
Masterclass : Beyond the Surface: Stories around Natural Finishes
Agnimitra studied his architecture in the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi. His entry to the world of sustainability and conservation was sparked in the offices of the Center for Science and Environment in Delhi, while his passion for art and architecture took shape during his apprenticeship under Architect C. Anjalendran in Sri Lanka. Meeting Jeremie Gaudin and Shruthi Ramakrishna at a workshop to build an earthen library on the edge of a forest in Thirvanamalai led them to come together as partners in Made in Earth.
Her passion for ecological construction led her to France, where she worked with Chenelet Construction for two years, discovering the extensive potential of bio-sourced materials. She also collaborated with Touraterre & Inventerre in France and Oficinas do Convento in Portugal to organize design and build workshops for public projects, further reinforcing her belief in how architecture can be a collaborative process and the strength of community in design. On returning to India, an eagerness for hands-on craftsmanship took her to Khamir & Hunnarshala in the incredible region of Kutch, Gujarat. Working with communities made her step back from a product-focused approach and consider how to bring the soul back into a process. Shruthi has led Made In Earth Collective, an architecture and design practice based in Bangalore, since 2015.
Masterclass : Beyond the Surface: Stories around Natural Finishes
Agnimitra studied his architecture in the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi. His entry to the world of sustainability and conservation was sparked in the offices of the Center for Science and Environment in Delhi, while his passion for art and architecture took shape during his apprenticeship under Architect C. Anjalendran in Sri Lanka. Meeting Jeremie Gaudin and Shruthi Ramakrishna at a workshop to build an earthen library on the edge of a forest in Thirvanamalai led them to come together as partners in Made in Earth.
Her passion for ecological construction led her to France, where she worked with Chenelet Construction for two years, discovering the extensive potential of bio-sourced materials. She also collaborated with Touraterre & Inventerre in France and Oficinas do Convento in Portugal to organize design and build workshops for public projects, further reinforcing her belief in how architecture can be a collaborative process and the strength of community in design. On returning to India, an eagerness for hands-on craftsmanship took her to Khamir & Hunnarshala in the incredible region of Kutch, Gujarat. Working with communities made her step back from a product-focused approach and consider how to bring the soul back into a process. Shruthi has led Made In Earth Collective, an architecture and design practice based in Bangalore, since 2015.
GLIMPSE FROM LAST YEAR
CONTACT
E COMMERCE PARTNER
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GALLERY PARTNER
LOUNGE PARTNER
EXHIBITOR PARTNER
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNER
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VENUE PARTNER
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
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