Building Dreams: Success Stories of 10 Visionary Entrepreneurs in the Architecture & Interior Design Industry

The architecture and interior design industry in India is witnessing a transformative shift, led by visionary entrepreneurs who are redefining spaces with creativity, innovation, and functionality. In this special edition, we celebrate 10 trailblazing entrepreneurs whose success stories showcase their passion for transforming environments, setting new industry standards, and inspiring the next generation of designers.

From sustainable architecture to luxury interiors, their work reflects a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of design’s impact on daily life. Join us as we explore their journeys, challenges, and remarkable contributions to shaping the future of the industry in India.

Adnya Anvay Naik, Architect

Adnya Anvay Naik is an architect and the founder of Adnya Naik Designs Private Limited, a firm that delivers turnkey interior solutions for both commercial and residential spaces. With a strong focus on blending functionality with aesthetic flair, her firm manages everything from concept to completion—creating spaces that truly resonate with the way people live and work.

Before diving into the world of design, Adnya made her mark as a professional tennis player. Representing India on the global stage, she played at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, and was ranked Asia’s No. 1 pro tennis player, winning the prestigious Asia Masters Series. The discipline, hustle, and focus she honed on the court now fuel her entrepreneurial journey in architecture.

Her path has been anything but linear—balancing high-level sport with academic and creative pursuits. Founding Adnya Naik Designs was her way of channeling a lifelong passion for design into something tangible, impactful, and deeply personal.

Inspired by fearless women breaking boundaries across fields, Adnya knows the extra effort it takes to stand out as a woman in competitive arenas. But to her, every challenge is just fuel for the next big win. She’s also committed to giving back—mentoring young athletes and staying rooted in the tennis community.

Her mantra is clear: keep grinding, trust your energy, and never let anyone dull your shine. Success isn’t instant—it’s earned with hustle, heart, and the courage to follow your own path.

Shivani Joshi, Founder – Pink Coyote Design Studio

Shivani Joshi is an architect by profession and an actor and model by passion. She is the founder of Pink Coyote Design Studio, a multidisciplinary design firm with a distinctive voice in architecture, interiors, and bespoke furniture design. The studio has successfully completed over 45 diverse projects, crafting each with custom-made elements to reflect a unique design narrative. With a philosophy rooted in integrated design, Pink Coyote blends clean lines and minimalism with contextual elegance, and has garnered accolades including the India Design Award (2022) and recognition from Vogue India and Inside Magazine.

Shivani’s journey into architecture began serendipitously. While exploring the CEPT University campus in Ahmedabad, she stumbled upon its architecture college and instantly felt a deep connection to the space and its energy. That encounter led her to pursue her B.Arch at CEPT, where she earned five awards and a gold medal from the State of Gujarat. After graduation, her creative drive led her to Mumbai to explore modeling and acting, where she went on to win “Timeless Beauty” and “Eyeconic Eyes” at Femina Miss India 2013, and starred in four Gujarati films.

In 2018, Shivani returned to her architectural roots and founded Pink Coyote. Alongside her design practice, she continues to work as an actor and model. A passionate animal lover, Shivani fosters and cares for stray cats, often housing several in her studio and garden. Over the years, she has rescued more than 40 cats and remains actively involved in animal welfare.

Shivani draws deep inspiration from the resilience of everyday people and from her grandfather—a pioneering gynecologist whose discipline and service-oriented life taught her the value of integrity and relentless dedication.

Her message to aspiring professionals: “Embrace change, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of hard work. Success lies in the journey, so make it meaningful and uniquely yours.”

Shweta Arnav Tongaonkar, Founder – Shweta Arnav Tongaonkar Design Studio

Shweta Arnav Tongaonkar is an architect and the founder of Shweta Arnav Tongaonkar Design Studio, established in 2021. Her practice is rooted in sustainable, biophilic, adaptive, and conservation led architecture, with work spanning architecture, interiors, heritage restoration, and documentation.

For Shweta, architecture was a natural calling. It offered the perfect balance between creativity, problem solving, and social impact. Her journey began with formal architectural education, followed by hands on experience at established firms where she built strong technical foundations. Over time, she felt the urge to create something of her own, a studio grounded in sustainability, contextual sensitivity, and meaningful design.

Her professional path has been a steady layering of experience and purpose. She has worked on landmark conservation projects, government buildings, industrial developments, residential architecture, and international assignments. When she launched her studio in 2021, she did so with a clear vision to integrate sustainability into everyday architecture rather than treating it as an afterthought. Today, her portfolio ranges from private residences and interiors to public sector projects, master planning, and heritage conservation. She is particularly passionate about green façades, urban farming, adaptive reuse, and her evolving philosophy of Design for Disassembly.

Shweta draws inspiration from architects who design with empathy toward people, climate, and culture, as well as from craftsmen and site workers who bring projects to life on ground. As a woman in architecture, her challenges have largely been practical. Site visits, late evenings, and solo travel require extra awareness and planning. However, she has been fortunate to work in respectful environments where she has never felt underestimated. These experiences have strengthened her resilience and independence.

Beyond her practice, she mentors young designers, engages in conservation research, and continuously upgrades her knowledge in sustainable construction technologies. Writing design narratives and developing innovative concepts for affordable housing and green projects remain integral to her growth.

For Shweta, success is not a milestone but a mindset. It lies in designing with integrity, creating meaningful spaces, and contributing positively to society and the environment. She remains committed to shaping architecture that is responsible, human centric, and future ready.

Dipeeka Kulkarni, Interior Designer & Co-Founder – Necointerio

Dipeeka Kulkarni is an Interior Designer and Co-Founder of Necointerio, a design practice known for curating minimal, boho-inspired spaces rooted in serenity, warmth, and timeless elegance. Her design philosophy goes beyond aesthetics — she believes interiors should be emotionally resonant, quietly expressive, and deeply personal. Every space she creates is shaped to evoke comfort, character, and calm.

Design has been her natural calling from an early age. Drawn instinctively to form, balance, and the interplay of textures and light, what began as casual fascination gradually transformed into a committed creative pursuit. With time, she recognised that interior design is not simply about beautifying spaces, but about shaping experiences and influencing emotions — a realization that now forms the core of her creative journey.

Her professional path has unfolded across intimate residential spaces, expansive villas, and bespoke luxury homes. Through every project, she has evolved as both a designer and entrepreneur — refining her sensitivity to materials, compositions, and storytelling through spatial design. Being recognised among the Top 4 Interior Designers in Pune by APB News, along with features in publications like India Today and Home, has been a testament to the authenticity and soul her work carries.

At Necointerio, Dipeeka has transformed houses into homes that reflect tranquility, individuality, and refined warmth. Each project becomes a narrative articulated through textures, tones, and forms — harmoniously converging to create spaces that feel deeply personal. For her, it is the emotional connection that clients experience within their newly created environments that truly defines success.

Her inspiration flows from the subtleties of everyday life — the textures of nature, the softness of diffused light, travel, art, and people who create with honesty and purpose. As a woman entrepreneur, she has navigated the challenges of balancing professional drive with personal responsibilities, and describes the journey as both demanding and transformative. Through it all, she credits the unwavering support of her husband and Co-Founder, Shardul Sharma, whose belief in her vision has been central to every milestone.

Outside her core practice, Dipeeka is deeply passionate about home styling — layering neutral palettes, organic materials, and tactile elements that breathe soul into interiors. For her, styling is the finishing layer that turns design into emotion and elevates a space from simply beautiful to truly lived-in.

To aspiring professionals, her message is rooted in courage and authenticity: trust your instincts, stay original, and be consistent even when the path is uncertain. Perfection is overrated — persistence, intention, and honesty leave the real impact. Every challenge carries a lesson, and the first step forward is always the most powerful one. Once you begin, momentum becomes your greatest mentor.

Siddhi Lahoti, Founder – Studio Sthaptya by Siddhi

Siddhi Lahoti, an interior designer by profession, has carved a niche for herself through a deep-rooted passion for design that began in childhood. Originally from Pune, she started her journey as a freelancer, spending four years building her portfolio and honing her skills. A year and a half ago, she made the bold move to Mumbai, a city she describes as full of scope and opportunity. Since then, she has completed over 15 projects, connecting with diverse clients and bringing their spaces to life with her unique vision.

Her dream is to design a luxury hotel—an ambition that reflects both her aesthetic sensibility and her drive to take on larger, more intricate challenges. As a woman in a demanding, often male-dominated field, Siddhi has faced her share of hurdles. Balancing home responsibilities with rigorous site visits hasn’t been easy. She’s often found herself managing work on unfamiliar sites, sometimes surrounded only by laborers. But these challenges haven’t deterred her; instead, they’ve strengthened her resolve and deepened her commitment to her craft.

Beyond her professional life, Siddhi enjoys playing chess, writing, reading, and sketching—activities that fuel her creativity and balance her fast-paced work life. She believes that while the field of interior execution is tough, especially for women, the outcome makes it all worth it. Her message to aspiring professionals is simple but powerful: be strong. Her story is a testament to resilience, passion, and the beauty of following one’s vision despite the odds.