Creating a Layered Narrative

Amrita Thomas of ALARA Studio merges minimalist architecture with textured, thoughtful interiors that champion slow luxury over fleeting trends

- KRITI SARASWAT-SATPATHY

My studio was born from a desire to create meaningful Indian design grounded in architectural clarity and artisanal beauty.

For me, design is about storytelling with context. I don't chase trends; I listen, observe, and build narratives that feel authentic to the client and the space,” shares Amrita Thomas, principal architect and interior designer of Chennai-based ALARA Studio. This philosophy was seeded early on, when her twin loves of science and art made architecture feel like the perfect intersection. “As a kid, I could spend hours building little universes out of Lego bricks,” she recalls with a smile. That early fascination was nurtured by her grandmother, who designed the family home Amrita grew up in, and whose love for colonial and art deco styles still echoes through her practice today.