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Lighting is often seen as a mere utility, but for Kshanottaraa Balhar, it is the soul of a space. As the Co-Founder of The Licht Project, she has built a practice around creating lighting designs that are both functional and transformative. From residential bungalows to commercial landmarks, her work balances energy efficiency, design aesthetics, and the emotional impact of light. In this conversation with Asma Rafat, she opens up about the philosophy behind The Licht Project, the importance of sustainable choices, and how light can shape the way we live, work, and experience the world.
How do you approach designing lighting solutions that work for both homes and commercial spaces?
Kshanottaraa Balhar: At The Litch Project, we like to say we cater to every corner of the built environment. Whether it’s a residence, a hotel, an office, a landscape, or a building façade, every space needs light, and every space deserves the right kind of light. For us, it isn’t about fitting a generic fixture in a room. It’s about asking: what does this space need to feel alive? That principle guides our design, whether it’s a family bungalow or a commercial sales office.
What would you say makes your approach unique compared to others in the market?
Kshanottaraa Balhar: Lighting is often treated as a utility, something you switch on because you need to see. But we’ve always believed that light has the power to transform. It can change the entire dynamic of a space, whether it’s indoors, outdoors, or across a façade.
Our philosophy is rooted in design. Functionality is important, of course, but we never stop there. We balance practicality with aesthetics, and we customise our work for every project. For instance, in a home, lighting has a direct connection to lifestyle and even health. Poor lighting can cause eye strain or migraines, while the right lighting can actually nurture wellbeing.
So we sit with our clients and really understand how they live. Maybe one family member likes a bright, energised environment, while another wants a cosy, ambient space to unwind in after work. Our job is to balance those needs and create an atmosphere that works for everyone. That level of personalisation, that’s what makes our work stand out.
How do you incorporate energy efficiency and sustainability into your designs?
Kshanottaraa Balhar: The technology available today gives us so many smarter options. We always encourage clients to see energy-efficient lighting as an investment rather than an added cost.
Take something as simple as a 10-watt downlight. If we can achieve the same illumination with 5 watts, why wouldn’t we? We also look at reducing the sheer number of lights used in a space without compromising on effect. That way, the client saves on both energy bills and unnecessary fixtures.
Sustainability is always part of the conversation. We educate clients about the latest tools and technologies because good lighting design isn’t only about ambience, it’s also about responsibility.
Can you share a project where lighting completely transformed the space?
Kshanottaraa Balhar: Yes, absolutely. There’s a project we recently worked on in Pune, a 10,000-square-foot sales office and sample flat for a premium residential development. Traditionally, commercial spaces like these are flooded with bright, uniform light, almost like banquet halls. We wanted to break away from that.
Instead of cluttering the ceiling with fixtures, we kept it as clean as possible and let the design of the space breathe. We used indirect lighting, decorative chandeliers, and suspended fixtures. We played with light across the walls, floors, and elevations not just the ceiling.
The idea was to create a sense of luxury and sophistication, so that when potential buyers walked into the sales office, they immediately felt the premium nature of the apartments being offered. The transformation was remarkable. The space no longer looked like “just another office” but carried the richness and warmth of a high-end home. The clients loved it, and for us, it was a perfect example of how thoughtful lighting can redefine experience.
