Nov. 10-25
We caught up with the Founder and Principal Architect of Bangalore-based M9 Design Studio to discuss balance, honesty, and the enduring spirit of Indian design.
Being an architect in India means navigating far more than the inspired act of design. It’s a place where structures must mediate between scorching sunlight and monsoon rains, five thousand years of tradition and modern function, economic limits and aesthetic ambition—all while tackling urban population density that would test the most seasoned urban planner.
We recently spoke with Nischal Abhaykumar, Founder and Principal Architect of Bangalore-based M9 Design Studio, who orchestrates spatial negotiations where ancient wisdom—courtyards, jharokhas, verandahs—meets modern need, and where climate-responsive design isn’t a trend but a fundamental survival strategy.
His work illustrates that Indian design’s refusal to choose between tradition and modernity, function and beauty, local and universal, isn’t confined to two dimensions. It’s spatial, visceral, and rooted in centuries of ingenuity that continues to guide how architecture evolves today.
As Abhaykumar describes the uniqueness of design in India: “It’s design that is fundamentally resourceful and functional, born from a chaotic but incredibly vibrant context.”
Indian design is distinguished by its complex layering—not just historically and culturally, but functionally. Unlike many global styles that seek clarity through reduction, Indian design is about resilience and accretion. It has to mediate extremes: intense sunlight, high humidity, economic scarcity, and immense population density.
It’s design that is fundamentally resourceful and functional, born from a chaotic but incredibly vibrant context.
What sets us apart is the way we weave in deep-seated climate-responsive sensibilities—like the inherent cooling of a courtyard (aangan), the shadow play of a jharokha, or the thermal mass of local materials. It’s design that is fundamentally resourceful and functional, born from a chaotic but incredibly vibrant context.
How does traditional Indian design influence your work, and are there other cultures or styles that have inspired your creative approach?
We also look to Japanese and Mediterranean architecture for their restraint and sensitivity — both cultures approach simplicity with poetry. Our work often finds resonance where these sensibilities overlap — rooted in the local, yet quietly universal.
Externally, my time in Europe, particularly my Master’s at Städelschule Architecture Class in Germany, was transformative. The design ideologies of figures like Ben Van Berkle (UNStudio) influenced our approach to complexity, form, and seeing design as a generator of unique human experiences.
Ultimately, we are most inspired by the dynamism of urban life here in Bangalore; the city itself is our constant, evolving muse.
We see design as a negotiation rather than an imposition. Every project has its own ecosystem — a balance of human need, environmental context, and temporal constraints. Our process begins with listening: to the land, to light, to how people move and live.
Every project has its own ecosystem — a balance of human need, environmental context, and temporal constraints.
Function and beauty emerge together when design decisions are honest — when materials are chosen for their integrity, spaces are shaped for comfort, and details respond to both craft and time. It’s less about grand gestures and more about clarity and coherence.
A clear brief gives direction, but creative freedom allows discovery. We value clients who see design as a dialogue rather than a deliverable.
We value clients who see design as a dialogue rather than a deliverable.
Some of our most rewarding projects have come from briefs that were emotionally charged rather than prescriptive — where we could interpret aspirations rather than just specifications.
Freedom without purpose is chaos, but too much structure kills imagination. The best outcomes emerge when trust and curiosity coexist.
There’s a growing return to material honesty — an awareness of embodied energy, craftsmanship, and adaptive reuse. I find this deeply encouraging. The trend is shifting from spectacle to substance — from “iconic” buildings to meaningful environments that engage people and ecology.
There’s a growing return to material honesty — an awareness of embodied energy, craftsmanship, and adaptive reuse.
We’re also seeing hybrid typologies — spaces that blur work, leisure, and living — and that’s redefining how architecture supports community and adaptability in our cities.
Indian architectural education still needs to move beyond the static idea of a “project.” We need to teach process — the ability to think critically, to adapt, to collaborate across disciplines. The industry today demands empathy as much as technical skill.
That said, I see immense potential in the younger generation — they are fearless and far more connected to global dialogues. What they need is mentorship that grounds that ambition in context and craft.
There are two projects that come to mind:
Sunrise Garden Restaurant, an adaptive reuse project in an industrial suburb of Bangalore, where a forgotten building became a green public space layered with light, community, and slow living.
Dr. Vishnuvardhan Memorial Complex: This project in Mysore was deeply meaningful. To create a cultural and community complex that uses the power of concrete and circular form to symbolise “unity and continuity” for a beloved public figure was a tremendous honour. The building’s dual function as a memorial and an active community hub ensures its lasting impact.
The stepwells of Gujarat and Rajasthan — they’re timeless examples of how architecture, landscape, and ritual converge. They embody everything Indian design stands for: community, craft, and climate consciousness.
I’ve always admired architects who have a profound commitment to craft and the use of indigenous materials. Specifically, I’m inspired by the timeless and functional quality of furniture and product design, echoing the spirit of masters like Charles and Ray Eames.
Travel. Small towns, workshops, local markets, craftspeople — that’s where design truly lives. India’s textures, sounds, and imperfections are an endless archive of ideas. Inspiration here isn’t found; it’s experienced.
To learn more, visit www.mnine.in
All images provided by M9 Design Studio
