Nov. 10-25
A conversation with Partner at team3 on experimentation, cultural continuity, and the creative space between structure and freedom.
As part of our Indian Design in Focus series, we spoke with Shubhra Dahiya, Partner at team3, about the evolving identity of Indian design and how it continues to draw strength from its diversity. For Dahiya, India’s creative language has never been defined by a single aesthetic, but by its ability to absorb multiple influences—spanning regions, traditions, and materials—to create something deeply layered yet functional.
She reflects on how traditional Indian design is not about imitation, but about honoring its spirit: the craftsmanship, symbolism, and storytelling that give form meaning. At team3, this philosophy takes shape through an experimental studio culture described as an “ever-evolving hub,” where ideas are tested, reimagined, and refined through collaboration.
Dahiya also notes a growing openness among clients to embrace individuality and innovation — a shift that echoes part of Indian design’s ongoing evolution. Whether through sustainable choices, cultural expression, or artistic integration, she believes its true strength lies in staying rooted while continuing to evolve.
Over the course of our conversation, she talks about what sets Indian design apart, how traditional Indian design influences her work, encouraging clients to take bold creative steps, and more.
Indian design has always been characterised by its plurality. It doesn’t follow a single style, but absorbs from the many cultures, regions, and histories that coexist here. A temple sculpture, a handwoven textile, a painted doorway in a small town, all of these are part of the design vocabulary that shapes how we see space and beauty.
Colour, symbolism, ritual, and materiality are not mere decorative afterthoughts but a part of lived experience. What sets Indian design apart is this ability to hold diversity, to be layered and expressive, while remaining deeply functional.
For me, traditional Indian design is less about replicating forms and more about drawing from its spirit, the respect for craft, the storytelling through detail, and the way art and architecture are inseparable. A carved panel, a mural, or even the way a space is blessed before it’s used, all remind me that design is always cultural, not just physical.
Indian design has always been characterised by its plurality. It doesn’t follow a single style, but absorbs from the many cultures, regions, and histories that coexist here.
I also take inspiration from contemporary practices that explore this same idea in new ways, whether it’s fashion that feels architectural in its structure, or textiles that reinterpret craft and material with fresh imagination. These perspectives are a reminder that design isn’t static; it grows by layering tradition with innovation, while staying meaningful to the people who experience it.
I appreciate it when a client gives us a clear sense of their aspirations and needs; it sets the framework. But what excites me is the space between what is asked and what is possible. That’s where creativity comes in. Too many pointers can limit imagination, and too much freedom can feel directionless.
I appreciate it when a client gives us a clear sense of their aspirations and needs; it sets the framework. But what excites me is the space between what is asked and what is possible.
The balance lies in a process that starts structured but stays open enough to evolve. It’s like a conversation, you listen, you respond, and together you discover something that achieves the mutual goal.
Calling our practice at team3 an “ever-evolving hub” is our way of saying we never treat design as fixed. We test ideas, not just materials and details, but also how spaces can host art, how they can be used differently over time, or how people will experience them in ways we cannot predict.
This spirit of experimentation keeps us curious and helps us grow with every project, no matter how small.
Sometimes it’s a creative playground where ideas are endlessly explored and reinvented, and at other times, it’s cultural, such as collaborating with artists to integrate art into architecture. This spirit of experimentation keeps us curious and helps us grow with every project, no matter how small.
Yes, there’s a visible shift. Earlier, many clients wanted to stay within a ‘safe’ aesthetic, but now I find they’re more open to expressing identity and values through design. Some want art to be part of their spaces, others are interested in ecological choices, and many are simply keen on doing something that feels personal.
I encourage boldness by sharing stories, showing them how a single idea can change the way people feel in a space. It’s about building trust: when clients know we’re listening to them, they feel more confident stepping into unfamiliar territory.
Perseverance, grit, innovation, integrity, and playfulness are values we return to often in our studio. As a young designer, it’s important to embrace progress while staying anchored in your cultural heritage. Nurture a vision that carries social responsibility and long-term sustainability at its core.
As a young designer, it’s important to embrace progress while staying anchored in your cultural heritage.
In today’s AI-driven era, the profession demands constant reinvention — use research, remain curious, and adapt thoughtfully to shifts in our environmental, cultural, and societal values.
One project that stands out to me specifically is the redesign of the Soaltee Hotel, Autograph Collection in Kathmandu. It was an opportunity to reimagine a hospitality landmark with deep cultural resonance, bringing together Nepal’s craft traditions and a contemporary hospitality experience.
From the sculptural Mountain Wall inspired by the Himalayas to the jaali partitions and detailed metalwork, every element was carefully considered to bring cultural depth into the guest experience. Working with light, materiality, and spatial constraints, we sought to make the interiors feel open and inviting, while letting craftsmanship and storytelling guide the design.
What made it truly meaningful was seeing how these elements created warmth and connection for guests, proving yet again that design is most powerful when it honours tradition while feeling alive for today.
The rock-cut architecture of Hampi and Mahabalipuram, or Golconde in Pondicherry. But honestly, every inch of India is a marvel; each place reveals a different layer of our art and architecture.
For me, inspiration always comes from the streets of India, the colours, the textiles, the everyday details, and the stories they hold. India is like a living kaleidoscope, where each turn reveals a new layer of art, craft, and culture.
To learn more, visit www.team3.in
Images provided by team3.
To see Avesh Gaur's photographic work, visit www.aveshgaur.com
