In the dynamic world of contemporary design, Pramana Design emerges as a visionary brand that translates ancient Indian philosophical wisdom into cutting-edge architectural and design solutions. Founded by architects Darshit Tejani and Bhakti Tejani, the studio is redefining design through a unique lens of cultural understanding and meticulous craftsmanship.
The brand’s name, ‘Pramana‘, derives from Sanskrit, meaning ‘measure’ – a concept that goes beyond physical dimensions to encompass a deeper understanding of knowledge and proportion. Darshit and Bhakti, both graduates of Rizvi College of Architecture, bring rich professional backgrounds from renowned design studios like Bricolage Bombay and Design ni Dukaan.
Pramana Design is not about recreating the past, but about extracting timeless wisdom from historical and contemporary Indian design principles. Their approach transforms traditional insights into forward-looking creative expressions, creating a dialogue between ‘what was’ and ‘what will be’.
The studio has already gained significant recognition, showcasing collectible products at the RAW Collaborative Exhibition in Gandhinagar and securing a spot at the prestigious Isola Design Festival during Milan Design Week in April 2025. With each project, Pramana Design continues to prove that true innovation is rooted in deep cultural understanding.
In this candid conversation, Darshit and Bhakti discuss their design philosophy and approach.
Q. How would you describe your signature design aesthetic, and how has it evolved while working in India?
Darshit & Bhakti: We are deeply inspired by our country’s architectural heritage and try to incorporate the knowledge of design and proportion which we have learned through the detailed study of these masterpieces. We always try to incorporate the lessons which we imbibe from our travels across the country and across the world. We develop spaces and objects which stimulate not only our eyes, but ears, nose and skin as well.
Q. What influences and inspires your current work? Could you share some movements, designers, or elements of Indian culture that have shaped your practice?
Darshit & Bhakti: Each project we do enables us to learn something new. We are in awe of the works of Charles Correa and B. V. Doshi. Each of their works is the best example of spatial exploration.
Our entire practice revolves around and evolves from Indian Design and Culture, hence, for our first series of products, we have drawn inspiration from the Stepwells which are indigenous to India and turned the concept into objects such as wash basins, lights and tables which can be incorporated into our daily lives to keep us connected to our roots.
Q. Could you walk us through your creative process? How do you move from initial concept to final execution?
Darshit & Bhakti: Our approach to each project is similar to that of a sculptor making a sculpture. We start off with a clear vision of what is to be achieved and then with every blow of the chisel, work towards refining the design, adding detail and eventually obtain the desired output.
It is such a fulfilling process to see lines and strokes on paper manifest into physical form, which is why we love spending time on site closely collaborating with the artisans, learning from them and giving input to realize each and every piece.
Q. Your work often involves collaborations with artisans and other creatives. What draws you to these partnerships, and how do these collaborations enrich your design practice?
Darshit & Bhakti: Teamwork makes Dreamwork! Each and every person involved in the project, right from the design team to the labor force, brings in a certain level of experience and perspective, and this collaboration makes the process extremely smooth and enjoyable. We are extremely experimental in the work which we do and it’s teamwork which enables us to bring our vision to life in the form of objects and spaces.
Q. Looking back at your portfolio, which project became a turning point in your career and why?
Darshit & Bhakti: In 2021, we had the opportunity to collaborate with our friend Ar. Puru Patel, to work on the restoration of a 150-year-old Villa in the heart of Lonavala. The nature of the project being so complex took a lot of meticulous planning, and to turn the villa, which was on the verge of ruin, back to its prime glory.
This was a project which was different from anything we had done before, and the experience which we gained from this project has given us the confidence and insight to tackle any project, irrespective of the scale or type, which is why it is a turning point for us. It has given us the ability to take any challenge head on!
Q. Among your recent works, which project are you most proud of? What makes it special?
Darshit & Bhakti: We have recently completed the interior architecture for a 1700 sq ft home in Vile Parle, Mumbai for a family of four – who wanted their home to be a physical extension of their personalities.
The most exciting part of the brief was that no two rooms should be the same, yet the entire home should have elements tying the spaces together. With this challenge in mind, each space has been crafted to resonate with their persona individually and collectively. Each room has been assigned a pop of colour to highlight the character of the user and to balance it, a common neutral shade stays constant through the entire home to unify the spaces into one common experience.
The way each room has been detailed in terms of design is quite unconventional, yet we have managed to keep the elements subtle and minimal.
Q. What unique challenges and opportunities have you encountered as an emerging designer in the Indian design industry, and how are you working to overcome these obstacles?
Darshit & Bhakti: The challenge which we face is that clients somewhere always are looking to focus purely on what the eyes see and forget about how the rest of their senses would experience an object or a space. Due to our profession, we have been trained to see the world in a certain way and our approach to design is a response to all the shortcomings which we are able to identify in spaces.
Unfortunately, in the Indian context, after our Independence we have been brainwashed by our own Identity and have always tried to borrow ideas from the rest of the world. This chain of events has led to people having absolutely no taste or idea of what Indian Design truly is!
We have left generations questioning the authenticity of our own culture and filled their minds with nothing but disregard for whatever is ‘Indian’ and a mad craze for anything which is ‘Imported’.
While it is a challenge to get through to such an audience, we take great pride and pleasure in taking such projects head on to slowly dowse the stigma against Indian Design.
Q. How do you approach sustainability and eco-friendly practices in your designs, particularly considering India’s traditional wisdom and contemporary environmental challenges?
Darshit & Bhakti: We practice a lot of reuse and upcycling of materials to prevent unnecessary wastage. We also encourage the use of natural materials, which contribute to a better living experience and try to keep away from the use of plastic-based materials.
Q. What’s your most exciting recent design or art discovery that’s influencing your current thinking?
Darshit & Bhakti: We are learning about the impact of sound in space and researching more about how space should sound, which is a very exciting topic. Even the temples and palaces of our country were designed to resonate to a particular frequency to enable meditation, healing and well-being! Isn’t that intriguing? We are truly humbled by the knowledge that our ancestors had. The sheer brilliance and precision with which they have built entire temple and palace complexes, that too with limited tools and technology, is worth studying.
Q. As you look ahead, what kind of projects or directions would you like to explore?
Darshit & Bhakti: We are extremely grateful for all the opportunities and experiences which we have been a part of till now and are looking forward to working on projects where we get to experiment more as that allows us to reach our maximum potential.
Q. For aspiring designers looking to make their mark in India’s design landscape, what wisdom would you share from your journey?
Darshit & Bhakti: One thing which has stuck with us is that every day will teach you something new. Being grateful to the smallest of lessons will unlock the biggest doors in the future.
Courtesy of Pramana Design
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