What transforms a house into a home? It is the soul and warmth of the occupants that drive the essence of homeliness in a house. Beyond that, the architecture and design of the space also help turn houses into personal sanctuaries. This belief lies at the core of Ar. Vardha Aggarwal and Ar. Chirag Gupta, Founders and Principal Architects at Sculpt Design Studio, where spaces are designed to resonate with the soul of their occupants.
With a design philosophy rooted in empathy and aesthetics, the duo approaches each project as an intimate narrative. Every residence they craft becomes a canvas of belonging, layered with individuality, memory, and harmony. This article delves into the perspectives of Vardha and Chirag and how they transform residences into soulful homes.
For the duo at Sculpt Design Studio, design begins by engaging deeply with clients — their emotions, aspirations, and rituals. “A sanctuary is born from how people live, breathe, and feel inside it,” says Chirag. Their homes reflect genuine human stories rather than transient trends. They thoughtfully layer contemporary comforts with cultural references and inherited practices. Many of their designs also weave in connections to nature, incorporating vertical gardens and verandas that offer solace amidst the pace of modern life.
To craft soulful homes, Aggarwal and Gupta rely on carefully considered design strategies. “Material choices are central to our practice. We prefer locally sourced, natural materials like stone, wood, and terracotta that age gracefully and acquire character over time. Reclaimed timber beams or hand-chiseled sandstone are carriers of memory and add character to our homes,” says Vardha. Light, too, is treated as the soul of architecture.
Their residences often include skylights, jaali screens, and perforated brickwork, allowing natural light to filter softly and animate interiors with shifting patterns. The play of the sun on stone floors or the evening glow on textured plaster infuses rhythm and a quiet spirituality into their spaces.
Their spatial compositions celebrate fluidity, with spaces that unfold gradually often through verandas and courtyards. Public and private realms are mediated through semi-open zones that balance connection and retreat. The architects believe that craft is both decorative and structural, essential to a home’s identity. They also integrate deeply personal touches into their designs, curating color palettes, décor elements, and furniture styles that reflect each client’s vision of modern living.
The duo’s collaboration with local artisans and craftspeople ensures that traditional skills remain alive and relevant. Stone carvers, potters, and woodworkers find renewed purpose in these partnerships, keeping craftsmanship an integral part of contemporary homes. Their work also sparks broader urban conversations. At a time when cookie-cutter apartments dominate Indian cities, they advocate for soulful, contextual architecture proving that even modern residences can carry cultural memory and emotional warmth.
Homes with a soul are not defined by grandeur but by their ability to nurture a sense of belonging. Through sensitivity, craft, and an unwavering respect for individuality, Ar. Vardha Aggarwal and Ar. Chirag Gupta create residences that resonate deeply with the lives of those who inhabit them.
