High on Design Podcast

In conversation with Shivani Gupta Mittal and Ayush Mittal, the co-founders of House of Lalittya — a design firm known for its elegant blend of modern and traditional aesthetics. In this candid episode of the High on Design podcast, they open up about how their lives (and business) have transformed since becoming parents, and how they continue to juggle family, creativity, and growth.From bootstrapping a brand from a 100-square-feet office to running a 25-member studio, Shivani and Ayush share the real, behind-the-scenes stories of what it actually takes to build and sustain a design practice today. They talk about systems, structures, the pressure of client demands, and the evolving nature of design expectations — all while navigating sleepless nights and feeding schedules.This episode is packed with practical insights on team building, designing with emotion, creating sustainable workflows, and staying creatively fuelled while life (and work) keep changing. If you’ve ever wondered what it's like to raise both a baby and a brand at the same time — this one’s for you.Chapters: 00:45 – Meet the guests: A quick intro01:20 – How life & business changed after becoming parents08:36 – Dealing with negativity while growing a design business10:20 – Balancing marriage and managing a business together13:17 – Their take on working with Gen Z creatives14:16 – How gold became their design signature19:15 – Nurturing strong relationships within their team24:08 – The systems they’re building to scale their studio27:56 – How they handle client enquiries with clarity29:11 – Facing stagnancy in business and finding momentum32:12 – Why documentation is key in creative work34:56 – From startup phase to building a sustainable practice36:29 – The most bizarre client requests they’ve received

In conversation with Shweta Kaw, the principal architect of Studio Meraki, a design studio based in Delhi-NCR. In this episode, Shweta shares how she transitioned from being a student to a business owner, learned to pitch projects, build client relationships, and find her voice as a woman architect navigating both the creative and commercial sides of practice.Shweta’s journey into the world of architecture began like many others — as a student full of dreams. But what sets her apart is how she shaped those dreams and struggles into a meaningful, sustainable practice over the last 15 years. From her academic roots in India to completing her Master’s in Building Performance & Sustainability at the National University of Singapore, to working as a Sustainable Design Consultant in Singapore and then in India, her story is layered with learning, risk, and reinvention.She speaks candidly about the early days of building Studio Meraki — the doubts, the hustle, and the unexpected lessons. For young architects looking to start out or branch off on their own, this episode is packed with practical advice and honest insights.

In conversation with Vasanth Packirisamy, Artist, Principal Architect and Partner at Firki Studio, a practice known for its fresh, modular, and idea-driven approach to architecture. In this episode of the High on Design Podcast, Vasanth reflects on the journey that shaped both him and the studio — starting from childhood curiosities to co-founding one of the best dynamic design collectives in the country.

He shares how Firki came into being, the story behind its name, and what it takes to build a five-partner practice that thrives on independence, experimentation, and shared vision. From navigating early struggles to building a culture where even interns have a say, Vasanth speaks honestly about leadership, collaboration, and the importance of giving people space to think differently.We talk about life with kids, how parenthood shifts your thinking, and the ever-elusive work-life balance. He also dives into the many strange (and often hilarious) client requests they’ve faced — and why every project is an opportunity for creative problem-solving. From artistic intent to architectural practicality, Vasanth unpacks how architecture must be judged after it’s built, and where the future of design is heading.This episode is full of real talk on studio life, shared ownership, design experimentation, and how to build work that feels both personal and powerful.Chapters:0:52 – Introduction1:26 – Becoming an accidental architect & business owner7:15 – Starting his professional journey13:46 – Marriage, jobs, and early business days15:32 – First few years of work 17:34 – Firki ended up with 5 partners20:31 – The story behind the name ‘Firki Studio’24:36 – How to approach looking at buildings & design29:12 – Unique and unexpected client briefs38:07 – Creating products while building spaces43:06 – The story behind Firki’s brick office50:23 – What it’s like raising a child when both parents are architects52:44 – How Firki Studio is decentralizing design57:23 – What’s coming next at Firki Studio59:13 – Staying inspired

In conversation with Tushar Mistry, Principal Architect of Tushar Mistry Design Studio, with over 20 years of experience in builder homes and show apartments. In this episode we get real insights on budget, the difference in the mindset of developers and clients and the challenges that come along the way.

His design studio has specialized in making the best use of resources by providing innovative designs, bringing in class, and a touch of their spirit and soul to the entire space.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

When you consider the indoors and the outdoors as one, you inevitably feel more connected. In this episode of Design Weekly, Anushka Contractor, the principal interior designer of Anushka C Studio shares candid insights into her design journey, how she conceptualizes spaces and experiments with wood tones. 

When you change the scale or genre of projects, you get back into perspective. In this episode of Design Weekly, Shilpa Jain Balvally, the co-founder of Studio Osmosis, a multidisciplinary design practice, shares the beautiful journey of growing her practice and how one should approach varying scales and types of architectural projects. 

Metaverse is a universe where you can be anyone and design without boundaries. It is the future of spatial design.  

In this episode, Rititka Kothari, founder of House of Ritika and Colab Cloud Meta breaks down everything an architect and interior designer needs to know about the Metaverse, opening up a new rewarding career path. We talk about MNCs demand for virtual space designers and how you can become one. 

Blending the outdoors and the indoors seamlessly is one of the most imperative tasks for any designer. In this episode of Design Weekly, Shivani Ajmera, the co-founder of Quirk Studio shares the journey of starting and growing her studio. She shares her design approach to achieve clean, minimal contemporary spaces that speak volumes about the client’s personality. 

To be able to create something beautiful for someone else is a motivation in itself. In this episode of Design Weekly, Karan Desai, the founder of KARAN DESAI | Architecture + Design, shares his roller-coaster journey from college to making it big in the industry. He shares his insights on what it takes to create innovative and adventurous design projects. 

https://courses.archea.in/learn/thinking-outside-the-wallshttps://courses.archea.in/learn/thinking-outside-the-walls.

This episode is a game changer for you if building passive income has been on your mind for quite a while.

Arpit Yadav, a UX Designer for 6 years, a gamer and a hard-core AI enthusiast talks about 3 ways you can make money online with the help of AI. Psssst, it has to do with creating content (without using your own ideas, your own face or even your own voice).

Sounds too good to be true? Tune in to this 13 minute episode and listen for yourself.