For Mumbai-based architect Nikita Nadkarni, design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about how a space feels, functions, and connects with its clients. As the co-founder of Kurafuto Works, along with her husband Akshay Narwekar, Nikita works out of her home studio in Mahalakshmi, building spaces that are tactile, rooted in heritage, and intuitively functional.
“At Kurafuto Works, our philosophy is design must work seamlessly for the people living in it,” says Nikita. “We focus on function-forward design that isn’t loud or attention-seeking but quietly efficient and deeply comfortable.”
Her personal design aesthetic is inspired by the post-Art Deco and mid-century modern eras, drawing her toward materials that hold texture, warmth, and character. “I am drawn to tactile materials like textured veneers, fluted glass, stones with strong grains, and tone-on-tone woven fabrics. They make you want to reach out and touch them,” she explains. “Every layer we add is meant to evoke coziness and timelessness.”
Currently, Kurafuto Works is working on three residential projects, a typology that Nikita is particularly passionate about. She finds residential work the most fulfilling, as it allows for a deeper connection with the user’s lifestyle and needs, resulting in homes that feel authentic and personal.
When it comes to broader architectural influences, Nikita is deeply inspired by Indian heritage design. She believes modern Western minimalism often strips away detail and character — something Indian architecture has always celebrated. “Our traditional architecture is layered, rich, and incredibly thoughtful. That’s what I find inspiring and worth preserving,” she says. “We don’t need to imitate bland, global styles. We have such strong roots to draw from.”
Through Kurafuto Works, Nikita Nadkarni creates homes that are not only beautiful but meaningful. Spaces where every stone, fabric, and fixture is chosen with care, and where cultural memory, comfort, and modern living come together in harmony.
