Leaders

"Architecture is the mother of the arts", said Marcus Vitruvius Pollio. From the earliest huts and stone structures to majestic temples, palaces, and cities, architecture has been humanity's enduring dialogue between necessity and imagination, an art and science rooted in form, function, and harmony. Across centuries, it has reflected power, culture, and belief by shaping civilizations while preserving their identity and enduring structures.

Today, this power of creativity lies in the hands of creative professionals who are redrawing skylines, reimagining public spaces, merging cultural heritage with bold innovation, and earning global recognition. Geetha Nayak, Managing Partner at UAE-based Interior firm, Design Infinity, is proving that creativity has no gender, only vision, skill, and the courage to sketch the future in confident strokes.

From her early fascination with the built environment in the 1990s to leading one of the UAE’s most prominent interior design firms, Geetha’s journey is a testament to passion, adaptability, and continuous learning.

Trained as an architect, she discovered a deep interest in interior spaces early in her career, eventually making interior fit-outs her core focus. After moving to the Middle East in 2007, she co-founded Design Infinity, a venture that has since redefined industry benchmarks in quality and sustainability.

Committed to professional growth, Geetha has pursued numerous certifications, including LEED, and recently earned her Executive MBA from IIM Indore, a milestone that shaped her leadership approach.

Drawing inspiration from global visionaries like Indra Nooyi, Elon Musk, Ratan Tata, and Sheikh Mohammed, she channels their lessons into overcoming challenges and driving her team forward.

What led you to foray into the field of architecture? Tell us about your journey in Middle East’s architecture industry.

From a young age, I was fascinated by the buildings and spaces around me, curious about how they were designed and the emotions they evoked. I loved sketching whatever caught my eye, and that creative spark naturally led me to pursue architecture. Over time, I discovered the immense potential of this field and the joy of transforming ideas into real-world spaces.

My journey eventually brought me to the Middle East, where the region’s rapid growth and ever-evolving design trends offered incredible opportunities. Immersed in this dynamic environment, I co-founded Design Infinity, driven by a vision to create innovative, functional, and inspiring workspaces.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of working on diverse projects across industries, with each one fuelling my passion for design and the impact it has on how people live and work.

Having worked across various roles, what key areas of expertise have you developed in terms of creating workspace designs?

Since the start of my career, I have worn many hats, from concept design at the drawing board to on-site execution and coordination. Today, my focus is on crafting workspaces that seamlessly reflect a client’s vision while meeting their design, budget, and timeline expectations. It’s about transforming ideas into tangible, functional realities.

Over the years, I have honed a deep expertise in project execution, ensuring each workspace is not only visually appealing but also practical, efficient, and aligned with the client’s brand and culture. A key part of my role now is building and nurturing a skilled team that can consistently deliver on these goals.

Introduce us to Design Infinity. What key roles and responsibilities do you shoulder as the firm’s Managing Partner?

Design Infinity is a dynamic, fast-growing interior fit-out and design firm headquartered in Dubai, UAE. Founded in 2012, the company delivers a comprehensive range of high-end interior services and turnkey solutions for commercial offices across diverse sectors.

With its corporate headquarters in Dubai and a regional office in Abu Dhabi, Design Infinity is led by a highly experienced team of interior specialists.

Today, the company has grown to over 1,300 professionals, excelling in large-scale fit-out and design projects across the UAE, consistently delivering them on time and to the highest standards. Our in-house expertise spans interior design, MEP, and IT, supported by a state-of-the-art 1,00,000 sft joinery factory and dedicated divisions for wood, glass, metal works, upholstery, and signage.

Since its inception, Design Infinity has achieved exceptional year-on-year growth, built on a strong reputation for quality and reliability. As Managing Partner, I oversee the entire operations team alongside sales and marketing, ensuring our projects not only meet but exceed client expectations.

What are the fundamentals of building impactful workspace designs? Can you take us through your process of working on a new design project?

Impactful workspace design begins with a deep understanding of the client’s vision, goals, brand identity, and the way their teams operate. Our process starts with a thorough briefing and site assessment to clearly define the project scope. We then move into concept design and space planning, creating mood boards, colour palettes, and layouts that balance functionality with aesthetics.

Once the concept is approved, we present a comprehensive design-and-build proposal with detailed costing. After finalizing the design and securing all necessary approvals, our fit-out team is mobilized to bring the vision to life. Throughout execution, we maintain rigorous quality control through regular inspections, testing, commissioning, and snagging.

The final stage involves coordinating with local authorities for inspections and securing the completion certificate. From start to finish, our goal is to deliver workspaces that are practical, brand-aligned, and designed to inspire.

In your opinion, what are some of the most challenging aspects of your current role? How do you navigate through these roadblocks successfully?

One of the most challenging aspects of my role is striking the right balance between meeting project timelines and upholding the high-quality standards we have set at Design Infinity, especially when facing tight deadlines, complex site conditions, or evolving client requirements.

Overcoming these challenges demands a hands-on approach, clear communication, and seamless coordination across teams. I stay actively involved at every stage of project delivery, enabling swift decision-making and proactive problem-solving to keep progress on track without compromising on quality.

Looking back, how has your professional journey evolved? What have been some core values that have driven this journey?

Looking back, one of the defining milestones of my journey has been co-founding Design Infinity and building it into one of the UAE’s leading interior fit-out companies. Delivering high-value projects across sectors, from corporate offices to retail and hospitality, has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. Equally fulfilling has been the opportunity to cultivate a strong, diverse team united by a shared passion for excellence.

Geetha Nayak, Managing Partner, Design Infinity

Geetha Nayak is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Design Infin­ity, one of the UAE’s leading interior fit-out and design firms. Trained as an architect, her early fascination with buildings, spaces, and sketching led her to specialize in interior fit-outs, a field she has passionately pursued throughout her career. After moving to the Middle East in 2007, she co-founded Design Infinity in 2012, growing it into a top-five fit-out company in the region with over 1,300 professionals and comprehensive in-house capabilities spanning design, MEP, IT, joinery, glass, metal, and furniture manufactur­ing. Her current focus is on creating workspaces that truly reflect the client’s vision, ensuring all expectations regarding design, budget, and timelines are met.