Breaks the Mould of DESIGN CULTURE

What began as a pastel quartz debut turned into a courtside spectacle. Specta Quartz Surfaces' inaugural pickleball tournament served up more than just sharp rallies-it brought India's top architects and designers together for a summer of spirited play, style-forward camaraderie, and a quietly revolutionary product launch

- Ankita Rathod

In a city where design often meets deadlines and site visits, something unexpected took centre stage this summer: the crisp pop of a pickleball. For a few exhilarating weeks, this sound became the new rhythm of Mumbai's architecture -scene. The occasion? The inaugural Specta Pickleball Open: Design Maestro-a celebration of camaraderie, craft, and colour, curated by Specta Quartz Surfaces.

Rather than host a traditional launch or showroom walkthrough, Specta did something different. They turned sport into storytelling. By inviting 16 leading names in Indian architecture and design to the court, the brand fostered more than just competition-it created connection.

Collaboration, a term so often discussed in the context of design studios and creative briefs, found a new, tangible expression here-on the court, through laughter, rallies, and real-time camaraderie.

A COURT OF CREATIVES

The tournament roster read like the design world's red carpet. From Ali Hyder Shaikh of Architect Hafeez Contractor to Rahul Menon of Studio TAB, Rusha Kapasi of Rukap Designs, JJ&A's Karaan Jambusarwala & Suzan Banajee, SMA's Shahen Mistry, AS Architect's Ankit Shah, and A+D's own Sonal Das-each brought their own design philosophy and paddle game to the court. Shah called the event "a fantastic initiative" that brought designers together not just on the drawing board but in a refreshingly active way. Menon described the experience as "a breath of fresh air," while Mistry called it "more than just a tournament-it was about bonding, cheering each other on, and making amazing memories." Das reflected on how the idea of collaboration, often spoken of in theory, came alive in the most literal and joyful way.