1405 Design Studio is a multidisciplinary design practice delving into a diverse range of interior and architectural design projects. We are a bunch of architects, designers, artists that bring on board a variety of sensibilities into the field of spatial design.
1405 Design Studio takes on an explorative holistic approach to create bespoke narratives; narratives that are derived not by a particular style but the context, the people, their needs and the best relevant comprehensive solution. No two individuals can be the same, nor can their spaces.
For us design is situation and solution based, wherein aesthetics is not an add-on but a by-product. That’s what makes design personal, exclusive and timeless. A particular style is not our identity.
An infusion of tailored details with smart use of materials and a mélange of art and installations create our bold and unique spatial narratives. We thrive to achieve something better with each work. This approach constantly challenges us keeping us on our feet to explore new solutions, materials, concepts, nudging us towards rediscovering ourselves every step of the way.
Established in 2016 at Chennai, we have had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects all over India. Luxury residential spaces to humble spaces & small dwellings, commercial offices as not-so-commercial spaces, club houses to experience centres for kids, schools for the underprivileged to retail spaces for products of assorted typology and scale. We love to collaborate with our contemporaries and experts in their fields, for landscape, lighting design, and visual graphics. The continuous learning and explorations keep us going.
Ashwath Narayanan
A CEPT Ahmedabad Alumni, Ashwath has been practicing design since 2005. Truly hands-on designer, he dived into the profession with a massive interest in construction and translating design ideas from paper to reality. On this note, he worked with one of India’s largest fit out manufacturers, Soundaraya Decorators, Chennai before joining hands with fellow CEPTian, to establish PLAN A, Chennai in 2009. After designing and executing hundreds of projects, Ashwath partnered up with Divya in 2016 to establish 1405 Design Studio.
Contrary to the common belief; Ashwath strongly believes that interior design is not only a rich man’s luxury but also rather a common man’s need. Spatial design is a universal requirement and deserves solutions in all aspects irrespective of budget and individual visual sensibilities. This belief has driven our studio to work on a plethora of very challenging projects of multiple scales, programs and budgets.
For Ashwath, works of Carlos Scarpa have always been a constant inspiration. A strong believer of Louis Sullivan’s philosophy-‘Form follows function’ & Mies’s ‘Less is More,’ Ashwath works to achieve designs that epitomise simplicity and minimalism driven by function, ergonomics and graphical principles . In his own words “…Design is 90% common sense and 10% creativity..”, strong words to live by in design today.
Divya Khullar
After graduating from CEPT Ahmedabad, Divya had the opportunity to work with few of the biggest names in the design industry. She began her professional career in 2010 with Studio Lotus in New Delhi, where she got to work on some very exciting interior projects including the prestigious ‘Cafe Lota’ at The Crafts Museum designed by Charles Correa. About 2yrs with Studio Lotus was all about out of the box concepts and experimental spatial designs for a wide variety of projects and programs.
This was followed by the big move to the down south. Working with Niels Schonfelder at Mancini Enterprises, Chennai became the foundation, an insight into a different market and context. While working on high end residential and other boutique projects, Divya developed a keen eye for details through modest, sustainable use of materials and concepts that belong to land, its people and surroundings. After about five years, Divya and Ashwath decided to combine their skill sets, and quite contrasting personalities to set up 1405 DESIGN STUDIO.
Divya brings on board a wide variety of sensibilities and concepts from all over. A big believer in the power of contrasts, she takes immense joy in merging different design styles and solutions picked up over the years. Inspired by contemporaries like India Mahdavi and Pierre Yovanovitch, she is fearless about mixing of visuals, palettes, materials and techniques. She designs for the project, the people and the program, ensuring each project stands on its own, in its own timeless glory.