_pages-to-jpg-0001.jpg)
In the world of design, architecture has evolved far beyond constructing functional structures. It is now about creating spaces that reflect identity, culture, and responsibility towards the environment. Few embody this vision as clearly as Architect Anika Mittal Dhawan, Founder of Mold Design Studio, whose work combines creativity, functionality, and sustainability with sensitivity to context.
In a conversation with Asma Rafat, Senior Correspondent, Realty+, Dhawan shares her design philosophy, from integrating natural light, ventilation, and eco-conscious materials, to balancing Indian cultural roots with global design influences. She also reflects on the challenges that shape her projects, the role of technology in building smarter, sustainable futures, and why inclusive, context-sensitive design must define public spaces such as markets, bus stops, and railway stations.
When you design a building, how do you make sure it looks good, works well, and is also eco-friendly?
We take an integrated approach, bringing together functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability in our projects. At the core of our designs are the fundamentals — abundant natural light, ventilation, adaptable layouts, and eco-conscious, locally sourced materials. Through our work, we explore and innovate with traditional prototypes, blending them with contemporary techniques and technology to conceive pragmatic designs that align with a multicultural design agenda, with sustainability at the roots.
How do you bring the local culture, history, or surroundings into your designs?
At Mold Design Studio, we blend global design influences with Indian cultural identities to create spaces that are contemporary yet rooted. Through the thoughtful use of materials, patterns, and craftsmanship, we craft environments that are both modern and meaningful, reflecting their context while speaking a global design language.
What has been the toughest project you worked on, and how did you solve the problems?
Every project brings its own set of challenges, and we see each as a collection of smaller problem-solving activities that form part of the creative process. The toughest projects are often those where constraints — whether structural, spatial, or contextual — push us to think outside the box. For us, problem-solving is a process of testing ideas, collaborating and interacting with consultants, vendors, and craftsmen, and refining solutions until they result in buildings that are both inventive and highly functional.
What new changes or technologies do you think will shape buildings in the future?
The future of architecture will be shaped by technologies directed towards sustainability and smart living. Such innovations will create sustainable materials and enable buildings that are responsive to occupants and the environment, optimising performance and adaptability, while maintaining a balance between technology and aesthetics.
If you had the chance to redesign a railway station, market, or bus stop, what changes would you make first?
Railway stations, markets, and bus stops are vital nodes in the urban fabric. They function not only as connectors for moving people and goods but also as social spaces where diverse communities come together and interact. The key design challenges lie in managing high footfall, congestion, and maintenance. To address these, such spaces must be designed around principles of inclusivity, efficiency of movement, accessibility, cultural identity, and safety with community gathering and interaction at the heart of the design vision.
