TRENDS Excellence Awards for Architecture & Design 2024

One half of ns*a Architecture and Interiors, Neesha Alwani has a vast array of projects under her belt, all of which are evidence of how she pushes the envelope of design every chance she gets. Her work spans residential, commercial, hospitality and retail projects, and her signature style encapsulates modern-day functionality and aesthetics. In her two-decade run, she’s built a repertoire of projects, all with robust individual identities.

Partner and Principal Architect at award-winning architecture and urban design practice IMK Architects, Rahul Kadri is renowned for upholding the principles of efficiency, sustainability and people-centricity in his designs. Armed with degrees from Academy of Architecture, Mumbai, and University of Michigan, USA, Kadri took over the reigns of the firm from his father IM Kadri in the 1990s, and gradually shifted the focus to social consciousness and urban ecological sensitivity. The Taj Group, JSW Energy, The Supreme Court of India, Symbiosis Society and Club Mahindra are some of the firm’s most notable clients.

Architect, interior designer and product designer Rooshad Shroff has an enviable portfolio of projects, both within and outside the country. A graduate of Cornell University and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, he set up his eponymous design firm in Mumbai in 2011. From the get-go, his groundbreaking work began to be recognised for its strong creative and innovative edge. Indian art and craft finds place of pride in every one of his works, and over the last few years, he’s established himself as one of the country’s most prolific young designers.

Architect and designer Shruti Jalan co-founded ns*a Architecture and Interiors in Mumbai with Neesha Alwani in the year 2000. With every passing project, she’s re-invented herself with new ideas and experiments. Context is just as important to her as functionality, and she’s known for her determined and solution-driven approach. She’s worked on projects across the board, also covering green building and furniture design.

Design Matrix director Zubin Master has dabbled in all kinds of residential and commercial projects in his own quiet, driven manner. He ventured into the industry almost 30 years ago, first with Talati & Panthaky Associates, and then progressing to set up his firm with two other partners. Over time, he steadily rose to become a design icon in his own right. His multi-disciplinary studio in Mumbai and his inimitable style garner respect and recognition across the industry.

Principal architect at Abraham John Architects, Alan Abraham is an architect and photographer based in Mumbai. Engaged in multidisciplinary architecture, interior design, landscaping and urban planning projects, Abraham works dedicatedly towards re-connecting architecture with nature, and making optimum use of space, natural materials, lighting and landscape to transform living environments and urban spaces. Besides working extensively on residential, commercial and institutional projects, the firm has undertaken several charitable works including earthquake and cyclone proof buildings in the country. He runs the firm, which was set up in 1967, jointly with his father, architect Abraham John.

Director of Somaya and Kalappa Consultants, incepted by her mother Brinda Somaya, Nandini Somaya Sampat has been heading the firm since 2007. After originally treading the path of law and becoming a solicitor, she decided to change professions to pursue her passion for architecture and design. She holds degrees from the Inchbald School of Design in London and the Rizvi College of Architecture in Mumbai, and has worked on a number of projects covering diverse scales and typologies – from conservation projects to office spaces, and campuses to low-cost housing solutions.

Armed with degrees in architecture and civil engineering from Lehigh University and the Southern California Institute of Architecture, Samuel Barclay set up Case Design in Mumbai in 2013 with his wife and partner Erica Barclay. Before setting up his own studio, Barclay worked with Studio Works Architects in LA and Studio Mumbai and has amassed experience in architecture projects as well as furniture, interiors, and exhibitions. In 2015, he founded furniture brand Casegoods, and has gained recognition for creating quality spatial experiences and products.

One half of award-winning architecture and interior design firm SEZA, Seema Puri studied architecture at Ranchana Sansad's Academy of Architecture before practicing architecture at various design firms for about seven years. She joined hands with husband and partner Zarir Mullan in 1998 to set up SEZA, which is a Mumbai-based firm engaged in architecture, interior design and landscape design, and works to blur the boundaries between the inside and outside.

One of India's most prolific interior designers and go-to expert for celebrity homes, Shabnam Gupta is the founder of award-winning The Orange Lane and furniture and home decor store Peacock Life. She considers colour and texture as the foundations of her designs and works to bring them into every project in different forms. Over the years, has built a robust repertoire of residential projects including bungalows, holiday homes and luxury apartments for celebrities like Kangana Ranaut, Irrfan Khan and Parineeti Chopra, besides an interesting selection of popular hospitality spaces like The Bar Stock Exchange and Social outlets around the country.

Architect and designer Zarir Mullan is co-founder and partner of SEZA, a Mumbai-based architecture and interior design firm he set up with Seema Puri. He acquired his architecture degree from Ranchana Sansad's Academy of Architecture in 1991, before venturing out to start his own design firm. Together with Puri, Mullan has worked extensively on commercial buildings, residential schemes, showrooms, hospitality projects and private bungalows.