Leaders

Some say that spaces talk. Certain places do not merely exist; they feed, inspire and enliven the human soul. These well-inspired places have a permanent effect on the people who have visited them which shapes both lifestyles and memories.

This philosophy shines greatly in the work of Manasa Devabhaktuni, the driving force behind AARNA Architects, a Hyderabad based design and architecture firm known for its meaningful, conscious and long-lasting designs.

Manasa is an architect and interior designer with over fifteen years of industry experience. An alumna of BMS College of Engineering, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, she further honed her skills by pursuing an advanced hotel interiors training at NABA, Milan, and special courses on sustainable and green building under the tutelage of organizations such as the Green Skills Academy and Mrinmayee under Mentor Professors from The Indian Institute of Science.

Built on the foundation of her diverse learnings, Manasa’s design language is a seamless blend of simplicity, conceptual clarity, sustainability and exclusivity. Manasa and her team at AARNA Architects have built a diverse portfolio of luxury residential projects, commercial and institutional buildings, retail spaces, and socially oriented projects to provide sustainable spatial and sensorial experiences to people as well as the environment.

In this feature, Manasa shares her professional journey, emphasizing the experiences and design philosophies that have shaped her architectural practice.

What early experiences and influences sparked your interest in architecture and interior design?

Training in and the performance of Bharatanatyam (2000 year old classical Indian dance form) since childhood, brought into my life the essential elements necessary to recognize, appreciate, learn, understand and create artistic expressions. I am trained in Bharatanatyam under Guru Late Smt. Hemamalini Arni and have performed my Arangetram after many years of practice.

My interest in architecture began at the age of 17 after an early exposure to the profession through Bengaluru-based architect Vinnu Ponnappa. Inspired by Bengaluru’s strong design culture, I chose to study there and later trained under him.

The combination of academic learning and hands-on experience on notable projects during these formative years played a key role in shaping my design sensibilities and laid a strong foundation for my independent practice.

What key milestones or pivotal moments have shaped your journey as an architect?

My professional growth was shaped by advanced studies, where I gained exposure to global design sensibilities and deepened my understanding of functionality, aesthetics, and emotional resonance rooted in classical design principles. Personal influences, particularly the creativity and artistic expressions of my children, have further inspired my approach to form, geometry, and innovation.

These experiences have translated into award-recognized projects, highlighting the strong interplay between personal insight and professional evolution in my architectural journey.

Briefly describe your primary roles and responsibilities as AARNA Architects founder?

AARNA Architects is a multidisciplinary design firm built on three core principles—functionality, visual aesthetics, and emotional resonance. The firm carefully selects a limited number of projects each year to maintain creativity and design excellence across residential, commercial, institutional, retail, and wellness spaces.

As the founder and creative head, I guide the firm’s design vision, lead innovative solutions, and mentor the team through hands-on experience with materials and on-site practices, fostering both professional and collective growth.

What major challenges do you encounter while working on interior design projects, and how do you effectively navigate through them?

One of the major challenges we encounter in interior design projects relates to site constraints, particularly limited natural lighting and ventilation. In such cases, we explore design strategies to open up spaces and maximize the use of natural light.

Material limitations also pose challenges, especially when the desired design intent is not easily achievable with the available materials.

As a solution to this, we lean on creativity to work within the limits. We use the trial-and-error method by using mock-ups and samples to test their functions in the long run, particularly to use in exterior places where they are subjected to weather conditions.

Innovation, experimentation, and sufficient evaluation time are the primary factors required to overcome obstacles and to come up with well-thought out solutions.

What unique design principles and innova­tive approaches define your signature style as an architect?

My signature style is defined by three core design principles - Bhoghadhyam - Usefulness and utility, Sukhadarshanam - Visual and physical aesthetics and Ramya - that which causes joyousness or inner delight both in the client and the designer when we engage with the space —which serve as constant pillars across all projects.

Inspiration is drawn from diverse sources, including travel, time spent in nature, personal experiences, and everyday observations, particularly during periods of reflection such as the COVID era.

Innovation is driven by continuous exploration of new and emerging materials, participation in design exhibitions, and the thoughtful reinterpretation of time-tested materials to create meaningful and contextually responsive spaces.

Which achievements or standout projects are most significant to you? What success mantra continues to guide your work?

Some of the most significant milestones in my journey include being recognized in the India’s top 40 Under 40, IGEN-2023, Spaciux-2023,24, Commercial Design Awards-2024, Times Design Ikon-2025, and AD-List/AD-Pro-2026 which are notable honors in the architectural field.

Three of our projects received national-level accolades. We were also proud to be recognized by the Indian Institute of Interior Designers at the regional level, where we received three awards in the same year, which was especially encouraging.

Which projects have earned AARNA Architects significant recognition?

One of the key projects that brought us significant recognition was the private residence and offices of a very dynamic and popular leader and the head of the Govt of a southern state, this attracted considerable attention this year for its thoughtful design, functional aesthetics and execution.

In addition, the retail showrooms we designed at Hyderabad received accolades for their consistency, functionality, and strong visual identity. We also consider it a privilege to have worked in Tirumala, particularly designing a premium guest house with a great view of the Tirumala Balaji temple.

This project was especially meaningful, as it required a sensitive response to the spiritual and cultural context, making it a truly rewarding experience for our team.

What key trends or client preferences shape the future ?

Clients today are more informed and clearer about their vision, while architects guide them with expertise, making each project unique. In Hyderabad, the landscape is shifting toward conscious, sustainable design, with both designers and clients prioritizing green materials, energy efficiency, biophilia, alignment to SDG’s in design and responsible construction practices.

What advice would you like to share with upcoming female entrepreneurs?

Building a career or practice is not easy, and there will be moments when you may find yourself as the only woman in professional spaces. Do not let that discourage you. Keep moving forward with confidence and perseverance.

Success takes time, and in an age of instant results and instant gratification, it is important to remember that meaningful growth is gradual and requires sustained effort.

Manasa Devabhaktuni, Founder, Aarna Architects

A conscious architect and design leader with over fifteen years of experience, dedicated to creating meaningful, sustainable and sensorial spaces through a refined blend of simplicity, contextual design, conceptual elegance and long-lasting architectural value.

Educational Qualification: I hold a Bachelor of Architecture from BMS College, Basavanagudi, along with advanced courses from Milan, Green Skills Academy, and the Indian Institute of Science in sustainable mud and composite earth construction.

Designers who inspires you: I was inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s minimalist “less is more” approach, Elsa Schiaparelli’s trendsetting approach while more recently I am influenced by Geoffrey Bawa’s climate-responsive and context-driven design philosophy and the socially relevant design principles of Laurie Baker.

Success Mantra: The success mantra that continues to guide my work is a strong focus on site context and detail. I believe every project is unique, with no fixed formula— each design emerges from a thoughtful integration of the client’s requirements, the site context, the environment, and appropriate materials, allowing every project to be a learning experience and a distinct outcome.