Mestiere: Where Global Aspirations Meet the Intelligence of Indian Architecture

The model gives the studio an important advantage: the architects designing a project remain closely connected to how that idea is eventually built. For a residential project, where details can determine the difference between an attractive house and a genuinely liveable one, that connection matters.

Designing for How Life is Lived

At Mestiere, aesthetics do not exist in isolation. The studio places considerable emphasis on natural light, ventilation, comfort and the relationship between the built environment and the natural surroundings.

“The intention is to create homes that feel sophisticated without becoming dependent on visual excess. Locally available materials are preferred wherever they make sense, while products and materials from other regions or countries are considered when they genuinely suit the project or meet a specific client requirement”, speaks Badri.

This becomes particularly relevant as Indian homeowners become increasingly exposed to international architecture. Travel and digital platforms have transformed what clients expect from their homes. Someone returning from Dubai or the US may want to recreate the atmosphere of a hotel facility or residence they experienced there.

Mestiere does not simply reproduce those references. Instead, it works to translate the aspiration into something appropriate for the Indian setting. The result is a dialogue between what the client has seen elsewhere and what the site can actually support. For the studio, this is where architecture becomes more than styling. A building must provide comfort today while remaining functional years later. Its design should withstand changing weather conditions, shifting trends and the everyday demands of its occupants.

Old Wisdom, New Possibilities

Mestiere's interpretation of sustainability is closely tied to this contextual thinking. Rather than treating sustainability through products, the studio looks first at the fundamentals: climate, orientation, natural ventilation, sunlight, local resources and material suitability.

 The firm also sees India's architectural heritage as a source of contemporary inspiration. “Traditional Indian architecture evolved through a close relationship with climate, materials, culture and social life. Temple architecture, residential traditions and historic public spaces demonstrate how local intelligence can produce architecture that is both functional and distinctive”, shares Badri.

Mestiere believes today's architects can learn from that legacy without simply reproducing it. Contemporary materials, technology and global influences can coexist with vernacular principles when they are applied thoughtfully.

This balance is increasingly important as clients seek homes that feel modern but not anonymous.

Mestiere's approach is therefore less about choosing between traditional and contemporary architecture and more about finding the right intersection between the two.

Passing the Practice Forward

Mestiere's next chapter is not defined by an aggressive expansion strategy. Its focus remains on studying every project individually, researching the site, understanding the client and developing solutions that serve the specific purpose of the building.

“At the same time, the studio is preparing for a generational transition. With an experienced leadership base and team members who have spent an average of more than five years with the organisation, Mestiere intends to give its younger professionals a larger role in the practice”, adds Badri, the Founder and Principal Designer. The founder sees his future contribution increasingly shifting towards macro-level leadership, mentoring and coaching, while remaining closely involved in design. A key part of this responsibility is preparing young professionals for the realities that sit beyond architecture - leadership, finance, economics, project coordination and decision-making. For Mestiere, this is ultimately about building more than buildings. It is about building a practice capable of carrying its design values into the future.

As Indian residential architecture becomes increasingly influenced by global exposure, technology and changing lifestyles, the studios that stand apart may not necessarily be those that follow every new trend. They may be the ones that know when to embrace an influence, when to question it and, most importantly, how to make it belong. That is the space Mestiere continues to occupy: designing contemporary homes that look forward without losing sight of where they stand.