Anand Sonecha + Varna Shashidhar
Anand Sonecha | India
Established in 2015, with the initiation of projects at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, SEALAB’s approach towards each project is slow, contemplative, and open-ended. Through their work, they subtly enhance or reinforce what exists, creating unique experiences and, at times, new essences. The firm collaborates with multiple agencies and stakeholders such as NGOs, universities, and public trusts to realise architecture projects, with the end users actively participating in the design process. Currently engaged in diverse projects, from a community centre for farmers in the village of Valuna in Gujarat to a housing and vocational facility for the victims of sex-trafficking in Delhi, SEALAB's small, engaged studio fosters curiosity through forums and meaningful dialogue.
Varna Shashidhar | India
VSLA, a practice rooted in contextual landscapes inspired by India and South Asia, embodies the spirit of place and time through their work. With a focus on a value-based approach, they integrate past knowledge into designs, fostering a symbiotic relationship with the ecological system. They integrate knowledge from the past with a design sensibility and aesthetic that is rooted in culture. Collaborating across South Asia, VSLA ensures opportunities for emerging designers and founded Design United, promoting dialogue and mentorship for over a hundred designers since 2020.
