New Delhi-based design practice AARQE9, founded by sisters Nikhaar Dhawan and Bahaar Dhawan Rohatgi, is building an art-led approach to interior design that places personal identity, curated collections and emotional connections at the centre of spatial planning.
Drawing on their respective backgrounds in fashion, film, costume design, painting and art curation, the founders bring together different creative disciplines to develop interiors that reflect the people who inhabit them. The practice works across residential and commercial projects, using artwork, colour, texture, bespoke elements and existing possessions to create spaces with an individual character.
Rather than beginning with furniture or decorative requirements, the sisters start by understanding a client's personality, preferences, aspirations and lifestyle. Personal belongings, travel finds, family heirlooms and existing artworks often become the starting point for a design scheme. These objects may be refurbished, repositioned or introduced into new settings, allowing a space to evolve while retaining its personal history.
“We believe great spaces come from intention, thoughtful curation and understanding the people who inhabit them. One’s space should speak one’s personality and celebrate it,” the founders said.
Design shaped by art and individual identity
AARQE9's approach treats interior design as a narrative rather than a service focused solely on aesthetics. The studio's visual language combines expressive colours, layered textures, sculptural interventions, collected objects and carefully considered contrasts.
The name AARQE9 reflects the intersection of architecture, art, design and individuality, while the number nine represents creativity, transformation and completion. Its project presentations, including the use of terms such as Issue 09 and Plates, follow an editorial approach that allows each project to unfold as a story.
The founders lead projects collaboratively, examining composition, materiality, movement, colour and emotional impact from different perspectives. Their objective is to transform how a space feels and functions, rather than simply change its appearance.
In one residential project, the practice worked with a home that had striking architecture but lacked a distinct personality. Instead of filling the rooms with new furniture, the designers built the scheme around the family's travels, art collection and everyday life. The transformation involved revisiting the colour palette, commissioning original artworks and introducing sculptural elements, accent features, lighting and layered textures.
A commercial project followed a similar approach. What began as a request for a cosmetic makeover developed into a more detailed exploration of the client's identity and interests, shifting the focus from appearance to a stronger sense of personal connection.
Integrating Vastu with contemporary design
The practice also incorporates Vastu principles into its design process, interpreting them through spatial planning, materials, colours and artwork rather than treating them as rigid restrictions.
The approach aims to accommodate Vastu considerations without unnecessarily compromising the aesthetic or requiring extensive structural changes. It reflects the founders' broader emphasis on balancing functionality, visual expression and the emotional experience of a space.
Two creative backgrounds, one practice
Nikhaar Dhawan, a graduate of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), brings nearly two decades of experience across fashion, film, costume and avant-garde visual design. Her work spans Bollywood, Tollywood and Kollywood, as well as Hollywood-India collaborations and French theatre. She has received a State Award and been nominated for several national and state awards.
Her experience in costume and visual design informs her approach to proportion, movement, layering, colour and material. She also considers how people move through a room, how daylight affects surfaces and how different materials interact over time.
Bahaar Dhawan Rohatgi trained and worked as a lawyer for more than seven years before transitioning to art in 2015. Her practice spans painting, curation and creative storytelling, with her works present in more than 500 homes and collections, including those of the royal family of Abu Dhabi, DLF and Hindustan Times.
She was recognised as the SAARC Best Emerging Artist in 2017 and represented India at Art Laguna in Venice in 2018.
Her experience in art informs AARQE9's emphasis on making artworks central to interior planning, rather than treating them as finishing touches. According to Bahaar, clients increasingly seek homes that feel like authentic extensions of themselves, with art helping shape the overall experience of a space.
Expanding beyond New Delhi
AARQE9 has completed a project in Dubai and is currently working on a 1,225 sq m villa in Goa. Based in New Delhi, the practice operates through a network of craftsmen, artisans and specialist consultants, with the founders directly involved in projects from concept to execution.
Much of its work so far has come through referrals. The sisters aim to develop a niche, curation-led design practice working across residences, hospitality and boutique commercial spaces, while exploring collaborations with creators who share their artistic sensibilities.
For the founders, the focus remains on understanding people, places and culture, regardless of geography. Their approach positions art and personal storytelling as integral to design, with the aim of creating spaces that do more than impress visually and instead leave a lasting impression on those who inhabit them.
