For Anish K. H. Motwani, design was not a planned career path, but a discovery shaped by chance. "I never really planned on becoming an interior designer," Anish reflects. "It all began right after graduation, when my dad simply said, 'Go get some work experience.'" What started as an ordinary internship soon revealed a profound creative connection. He found himself captivated by the rhythm of design, an idea that becomes a plan, evolves through action, and ultimately transforms into a space one can step into and admire.
© Anish Motwani Associates
Anish K. H. Motwani, founder of Anish Motwani Associates.
"That belief," he says, "became the foundation of Anish Motwani Associates. For us, design is about understanding a space and giving it meaning." This philosophy gave rise to the firm's enduring motto: "Making sense out of space."
Design with purpose and personality
At the core of the studio's design philosophy lies a deep commitment to people and place. "Every space has a purpose," Anish explains. "Our approach is simple, understand the people, understand the place, and then shape a design that brings the two together." The studio's work is defined by its intentionality, where function and beauty are not competing forces but equal partners. Each project aims to create spaces that feel meaningful, natural, and deeply connected to the client's lifestyle.
© Anish Motwani Associates
Materiality and mood play a central role in this process. "Our choices are inspired by the story the space needs to tell," Anish says. Natural materials offer honesty and warmth, colours help set emotional tone, and textures bring character and depth. "Whether smooth, raw, or patterned, each texture is selected to bring comfort and a sense of connection," he notes.
Designing spaces that feel personal
Understanding the client is the guiding principle behind every project. "We begin by understanding who the client truly is, their lifestyle, tastes, routines, and aspirations," Anish emphasises. Through conversations, mood boards, and collaborative exploration, the studio gains insight into what makes a space feel authentically theirs.
"We don't impose a fixed style," he adds. "Instead, our goal is simple: create a space that looks like us but feels like them." This mindset results in interiors that are both refined and deeply personal.
© Anish Motwani Associates
Residential warmth vs. commercial performance
Anish approaches residential and commercial work with distinct mindsets. A home requires emotional sensitivity, an understanding of daily rhythm, and attention to practical needs such as storage, something he stresses is especially crucial in Indian households.
"Residential design is about personalisation and layered comfort," he explains. "Commercial spaces, on the other hand, must prioritise flow, branding, efficiency, and durability." The contrast is clear: one nurtures intimacy, while the other drives performance and user experience.
A narrative-driven design process
What distinguishes Anish Motwani Associates is a process built around storytelling. "We start with a narrative rather than a checklist," Anish says. Each brief transforms into a short conceptual story about how the space should feel and function. From this narrative, the team shapes concept sketches, selects materials, and aligns execution planning. "Design and delivery run in parallel," he explains. "It keeps the final result both surprising and buildable."
This method reduces design revisions, promotes clarity, and allows procurement and execution to evolve seamlessly alongside concept development.
© Anish Motwani Associates
Commitment to quality and craftsmanship
Quality control remains one of the studio's greatest strengths. Anish describes it as "a mix of systems and craft oversight." Detailed procurement checks, standardised finish guidelines, and weekly on-site reviews led by a design principal ensure that intent is preserved from drawing board to completion. For complex details, the team creates mock-ups to validate both function and aesthetics before moving forward.
A recent Mumbai residence, built on these principles, stands out as a defining example of the studio's vision. Here, tonal stone surfaces, warm timber, and concealed lighting converge to create a dramatic yet intimate home that feels both luxurious and immediately liveable.
Sustainability as practical responsibility
For Anish, sustainability is not an aesthetic trend but a long-term responsibility. "Sustainability is practical, not just a buzzword," he says. The studio prioritises durable materials, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC solutions, low-emission finishes, locally sourced products, and waste-conscious procurement. These decisions reduce environmental impact while keeping lifecycle costs manageable for clients.
© Anish Motwani Associates
Looking ahead: a studio evolving with purpose
The future of Anish Motwani Associates is anchored in growth, refinement, and deeper integration of technology. "Expect tighter integration between design and delivery," Anish shares. The firm will expand its turnkey solutions, enhance its use of digital mock-ups for clearer client communication, and continue exploring low-maintenance, sustainable design options.
He also reveals plans to broaden the portfolio across boutique hospitality and select commercial fit-outs, while strengthening the studio's expertise in high-performance residential design suited to modern urban living.
More information:
Anish Motwani Associates
+919820978727
[email protected]
www.ama.net.co
India
