Our bodies and minds are influenced by the environments in which we reside. Numerous features of our living or working environment have an influence on our minds, including the way it operates, the composition of form, the shifting of scales, focus points, and the flow of movement. However, the details of light, building interior proportions, and the usage of materials are crucial factors that include certain universal rules in how they are best employed. For example, our thoughts react differently in dark and restricted environments than in bright and quiet ones. Taking these considerations into account, award-winning architect Ekta Ahuja is delivering people with a brighter, more elegant, and livelier residential or working environment, which also includes a healthy living environment approach.

At the top of the luxury architecture and interior design industry in Pune is architect and designer Ekta Ahuja, who has been honored with several accolades throughout her career. Ekta received the `Femina Most Powerful 2021' award, was highlighted in Business Connect as `A Credible Trendsetter in the Interior Designing Space', and was deemed `Inspiring Women in 2021' by Insight Success.

Engaging in an exclusive interaction with the Women Entrepreneur magazine, Ekta spoke about her professional and entrepreneurial journey so far.

What motivated you to establish an interior design firm?

My father, an engineer by profession, was the one who motivated me to pursue my aspirations and helped me find my true purpose. The grandeur and elegance of this area captivated me throughout my undergraduate years, hence I started working part-time with my professors and ultimately worked with some of the most well-known architects. After completing my degree, I began working with the architect Hafeez Contractor, whose work ethic and design philosophy both inspired and interested me in equal measure.

After more than a decade in the architectural sector, I had developed a great vision for not just architecture, but also interior design and home furnishings. This led me to form Tejomaya Architects in 2013 to provide complete customer satisfaction and create unique, elegant, environmentally friendly, and mechanized working and living environments, all of which are tailored to each client's needs.

What are some important features of your expertise as an entrepreneur and an architect?

My designs are both classic contemporary and maximalist, and they are inspired by the visuals I capture throughout my voyage since I am an avid explorer with a great interest in technology. Using neutral tones, hand-picked furnishings, and bursts of color to create luxurious interiors, each room I create tells a tale about our clients, their vision, ambition, and aspirations, in addition to the handcrafted and selected artwork, antiques, and soft furnishings.

I've worked on everything from luxury apartment interiors in prominent developments like ABIL Verde, Panschil Waterfront, Panchshil One North, Marvel Bounty, Marvel Sangria, Raheja Vistas, and 212 Riverwalk, to mention a few. In addition, I was also a member of the design teams for the Mercedes Benz International School and the International Institute of Information Technology in Pune.

Give us a brief overview of Tejomaya Architects and Interior Designers.

One of India's finest architectural and interior design firms, Tejomaya Designs is situated in Pune, India. For over a decade, the company has successfully executed a number of luxury architectural and interior design projects because we think that harmony is key to creating and curating the most opulent living and working environments available today.

Each member of Tejomaya Designs has a pulse on the market, maintaining abreast of all advancements and shifting fashions, and is well-versed in industry trends and new developments. Tejomaya Design's quick expansion, extensive portfolio of high-profile projects, and many honors and accolades attest to the company's unwavering devotion to designing, curating, and delivering the finest possible results for every project.

"My designs are both classic contemporary & maximalist, and they are inspired by the visuals i capture throughout my voyage"

Tell us about the varied expertise that you possess as an architect? What are some of the key design philosophies and styles that are reflected in your designs?

As an artisan, I can appreciate the subtleties of each piece of wood; the texture and color of each cloth; the brushstrokes in each piece of art; and even the history behind each item. And the underlying principle of our vision is simple. The spirit of the customer, the essence of the space, and the surroundings in which it is situated must all be reflected in the construction of a sumptuous piece of art. These three elements, when combined, provide an ultra-personalized and unified output that screams luxury while also evoking the very core of the process of making something. To create stylish and elegant, but functional, living environments that are distinct and unique, our clients depend on me.

When it comes to Tejomaya's ecoconscious architecture and design, I can create these luxurious and exquisite rooms while adhering to the philosophy of being environmentally friendly and leaving the smallest possible carbon impact that sets it apart. Moreover, sustainable and biophilic design principles lead me to feel that energy efficiency is the most critical feature of any sustainable design. In addition to heating and lighting, architects and interior designers should address recycling, up-cycling, and repurposing in their endeavors to reduce carbon emissions.

Ekta Ahuja, Founder, Tejomaya Architects & Interior Designers

After graduating from St. Joseph's High School, Pashan, Ekta went on to get a degree in architecture from Dr. B. N. College of Architecture, Pune, where she specialized in luxury interior design. She began her career working with Architect Hafeez Contractor, whose work ethic and design ethos both inspired and interested her. Ekta describes her style as classic contemporary and maximalist, owing to her love of traveling and her fascination with new technologies