CULTURE CONSCIOUS

Through Envisage, Meena and Vishal Kakkar are weaving India's living traditions into modern homes, creating spaces that breathe history and heart.

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Some design firms lead by example; they break the norms and reinvent. And Envisage, based in Delhi and headed by the gorgeous Meena Murthy Kakkar and her partner Vishal Kakkar, is one such firm. While interior firms are leaning towards parametric design and contemporary spaces, Envisage has consciously decided to find its dialogue between tradition and modernity. Their philosophy revolves around creating spaces that are deeply contextual, emotionally resonant, and rooted in Indian ethos, with the latter becoming most important. Think homes inspired by a Maharashtrian wada, or one that finds its soul within South Indian temple pillars.

Meena believes that architecture should tell the story of its people, place, and purpose and their work is guided by the integration of local craft, material honesty, and cultural continuity. Meanwhile, Vishal is a strong believer that design has the power to connect generations by reinterpreting our heritage in a language that feels relevant today. They bring both these ethos together to create homes that are a leaf out of tradition and transport you to an era when Indian architecture and design were associated with 'royalty'.

Sumisha Gilotra, Editor, Architect and Interiors India, speaks to the dynamic couple about creating culture-centric homes that alter modern lifestyles, pushing one to pause and embrace the warmth of our traditions.

Vishal and Meena, your work has been an inspiration for many, and in less than 20 years of your presence, you have already created a niche for yourself, becoming the design authority in this segment. How did you decide to focus on culture-centric design, and what is the market for the same?