Soniya Potdarr is a leading interior designer with over two decades of experience, widely recognised for creating innovative, functional, and emotionally engaging spaces across commercial, hospitality, healthcare, and institutional sectors. Her design philosophy confidently blends creative exploration with technical precision, allowing her to push aesthetic boundaries while integrating advanced materials and smart technologies that elevate user experience and operational efficiency.
Her portfolio includes several landmark projects, most notably the BS Jirge Auditorium, an award-winning 40,000 sq. ft. transformation honoured at the Smart Home Expo 2024. She has also delivered state-of-the-art libraries, museum spaces, high-tech lecture halls, and the recently opened Hotel Celestial Manor, a boutique luxury destination that showcases her ability to craft immersive, narrative-driven environments. Across all her work, Soniya demonstrates an exceptional balance of spatial drama, modern elegance, and purposeful functionality.
Soniya’s design journey began with her formative work on the iconic JW Marriott project in Mumbai. This experience ignited her passion for large-scale design and led to the establishment of Soniya Potdarr Design Studio. Over the years, the studio has grown into a respected creative practice known for refined detailing, thoughtful materiality, and a commitment to innovation.
In recent years, the firm has expanded its expertise beyond interior environments into architectural space and building design, taking on projects that include boutique hotels, institutional buildings, museum complexes, façade design, and luxury villas. This evolution reflects Soniya’s holistic approach, viewing architecture and interiors as an integrated experience shaped with equal intent and craftsmanship.
Her work has been featured on the Discovery Channel, and she continues to contribute to the industry by speaking at design institutes and women’s forums, inspiring young designers to dream big, break conventions, and design with confidence. With a legacy defined by creativity and purpose, Soniya Potdarr continues to shape the future of contemporary design in India.
Soniya Potdarr Design Studio – Expanding into Architectural Design Excellence
With over two decades of distinguished design practice, Soniya Potdarr Design Studio continues to redefine the boundaries of creative innovation by extending its expertise into full-scale building design projects. In collaboration with G B Architects, the studio has embarked on a new chapter— one that brings together architectural vision, technical proficiency and a signature design sensibility honed through years of multidisciplinary work. This strategic expansion marks a significant evolution for the studio, positioning it at the forefront of integrated architectural and interior design in India’s growing hospitality, institutional and luxury residential sectors.
Among the studio’s most prestigious upcoming projects is a 36-room neo-classical boutique hotel, a landmark property distinguished by its grand façade, elegantly proportioned arches, classical detailing and illuminated cornices. The architecture embraces timeless European influences while incorporating contemporary elements, creating a structure that stands as a visual statement of luxury and refinement. This project reflects the studio’s commitment to crafting buildings that are not only aesthetically compelling but also deeply rooted in contextual understanding, functionality and long-term resilience.
Equally noteworthy is the studio’s involvement in a stateof-the-art Museum & Lecture Complex, an ambitious institutional development that synthesises modern innovation with sophisticated spatial planning. Designed to support world-class learning, research and cultural engagement, the project features advanced technological integrations, sculptural façade treatments and thoughtfully curated public zones. It represents the firm’s capability to handle large-scale civic and educational architecture with the same precision and finesse that define its interior design legacy.
The portfolio further includes a series of luxury villas, each tailored to reflect an elevated lifestyle experience through bespoke architectural detailing, lush landscape integration and a seamless relationship between indoor and outdoor space. These residences emphasise material richness, natural light, privacy and holistic comfort, showcasing the studio’s ability to merge architectural form with the intimacy of personalised living.
As Soniya Potdarr Design Studio moves into this new realm of architectural work, its approach remains anchored in the values that have shaped its reputation— design integrity, meticulous craftsmanship, and a commitment to creating spaces that inspire. With every new project, the studio continues to push the boundaries of what contemporary architecture can achieve, ensuring that each development becomes a distinctive landmark within its environment. This next phase marks not just an expansion of services, but a bold step toward shaping the future of experiential, aesthetic and sustainable architectural design.
In an exclusive interview with Society Interiors & Design, Soniya Potdarr shares insights from her twodecade design journey and the experiences that have defined her creative evolution.
Could you walk us through your journey into interior design and how your design philosophy has evolved over the years?
My journey into interior design began over two decades ago, shaped by an early fascination with spaces and how they influence human experience. One of my formative milestones was working on the iconic JW Marriott project in Mumbai, which exposed me to the scale, discipline, and finesse required in hospitality design. That experience became the catalyst for establishing Soniya Potdarr Design Studio, a practice built on curiosity, craftsmanship, and a commitment to creating spaces that are both emotionally resonant and highly functional.
Over the years, my design philosophy has evolved into a balance of minimalist clarity, contextual sensitivity, and luxurious expression. Great design emerges when form, materiality, and technology integrate seamlessly to serve the user. Today, my approach is more holistic; I view every project as a living organism, one that must respond to culture, purpose, and the rhythm of the people who inhabit it.
Your portfolio spans diverse segments. How do you adapt your design language across such varied typologies?
Each typology—whether a residence, hotel, workspace, or healthcare facility comes with a unique emotional and functional requirement. My role is to listen deeply, understand context, and allow the design language to emerge organically.
For hospitality, the focus is on storytelling and immersive experiences. For healthcare, it becomes about well-being, ergonomics, and psychological comfort. Residential projects demand a personal, intimate lens, while institutional spaces require long-term adaptability and technical precision.
Rather than imposing a signature style, I adapt the principles that define my work: clarity of form, material honesty, and a pursuit of quiet luxury. This framework allows each project to have its own distinct identity while maintaining a recognisable design ethos.
How do you interpret and redefine luxury for the modern client?
For me, luxury has moved beyond ornamentation. Today, true luxury lies in comfort, craftsmanship, space planning, and sensory experience. It is the softness of light, the richness of materials used intelligently, and the ease with which a space responds to one’s lifestyle.
Luxury is also deeply personal. A modern discerning client values thoughtful detailing, emotional resonance, and a sense of quiet sophistication. I define luxury as the ability to feel at ease while being surrounded by beauty—where technology supports living, where materials age gracefully, and where every design choice feels intentional.
How do sustainability and technology influence your longterm design approach?
Sustainability and technology are no longer add-ons; they are embedded into the foundation of my design process. I integrate acoustic systems, energy-conscious lighting, efficient HVAC planning, and material selections that support durability and wellbeing. Wherever possible, we prioritise low-VOC finishes, recycled materials, and products with proven environmental performance. Technology enhances both experience and efficiency. From automated lighting and smart audio-visual integration to AIassisted tracking systems in auditoriums, we use innovation to elevate functionality. My long-term approach is to create spaces that are future-ready—efficient, adaptable, and environmentally responsible.
You recently designed an award-winning, state-of-the-art auditorium. Could you share the design intent and key challenges behind this project?
The 1,200-seater auditorium was designed as a fully automated, world-class convention hall that transformed a 40-year-old structure into a modern performance environment. With three levels of seating, the key challenge was expanding capacity while ensuring clear sightlines, seamless circulation, and superior acoustics. Introducing a new mezzanine level and reconfiguring the internal volume allowed us to achieve this without compromising comfort or functionality.
Advanced acoustic materials, layered sound treatments, and precise planning ensured balanced audio distribution across all tiers. The auditorium also features a fully integrated automation system for lighting, sound, and stage controls, supported by a large highdefinition video wall and an advanced line-array audio system. A dedicated live-streaming setup enables programs to be broadcast to adjoining auditoriums, expanding engagement and reach. Visually, the space combines minimalist elegance with sculpted forms, warm neutrals, and refined lighting effects. The result is an awardwinning auditorium that sets a new benchmark for institutional design through its blend of technology, aesthetics, and user experience.
Could you highlight a few landmark projects pivotal to your growth as a designer?
One of the most defining projects in my career has been the BS Jirge Auditorium—a 1200-seater, fully automated convention hall created by transforming a 40-year-old structure. Reimagining the space across three levels of seating, strengthening its acoustics, and integrating advanced lighting, audio, and stage automation pushed my creative and technical boundaries. The project went on to win national recognition, reinforcing our studio’s capability to deliver highly complex institutional spaces.
Another milestone is Hotel Celestial Manor, a palatial boutique property that allowed me to explore Baroque-inspired luxury on both architectural and interior scales. This project helped shape our understanding of storytelling in hospitality and the power of immersive design.
Additionally, our work on museums, high-tech lecture halls, and healthcare interiors has been instrumental in expanding the studio’s expertise. These projects demand a balance of aesthetics, user wellbeing, and long-term performance, and they have significantly influenced the evolution of Soniya Potdarr Design Studio into a multidisciplinary practice that blends design, technology, and innovation.
What exciting projects are currently on your drawing board?
We are currently working on a diverse mix of upcoming projects that are expanding the studio’s creative and operational horizons. These include green institutional developments, luxury villas, and several large-scale hospitality and architectural commissions. Each of these projects challenges us in new ways—whether it is exploring energy-conscious design systems, crafting highly personalised residential environments, or shaping the external architectural identity of a building alongside its interiors. What excites me most is that these projects allow the studio to work in a far more integrated manner, thinking from the outside in and creating a cohesive design language across architecture, interiors, technology, and user experience. They represent the next phase of growth for Soniya Potdarr Design Studio, where our work becomes not just about designing spaces but about contributing to the built environment at a holistic level.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in the future of design. What is your approach to guiding and nurturing the next generation of architects and designers within your team?
Mentorship, to me, is one of the most meaningful responsibilities of being a designer. I believe that every young architect or designer who walks into our studio carries with them a spark—an untold potential waiting to be shaped, challenged, and celebrated. My role is not to mould them into replicas of my practice, but to create an environment where they discover their own voice, develop confidence in their ideas, and learn to design with purpose and empathy.
At Soniya Potdarr Design Studio, we cultivate a culture of openness, curiosity, and respectful dialogue. Young designers are encouraged to question, experiment, and push boundaries without fear of being wrong. I trust them with real responsibilities early on, because growth happens when you are allowed to navigate complexity, make decisions, and learn from both success and setbacks. I want them to feel empowered, not supervised.
I also make it a point to share my own journey, the challenges, the inspirations, the turning points, because I believe transparency helps emerging designers realise that growth is not linear; it is shaped by resilience, passion, and continuous learning. Through workshops, discussions, and mentorship sessions, I aim to instil the belief that design is not just a profession but a way of thinking, observing, and contributing to the world.
Beyond the studio, I engage with design institutes and women’s forums to encourage the next generation to dream boldly and carve their own path in this dynamic industry. My hope is that each young designer who passes through our doors leaves with a stronger sense of purpose, a broader creative vision, and the courage to imagine fearlessly.
In this feature, we bring together a few standout projects from Soniya Potdarr’s wideranging portfolio—each reflecting her keen eye for detail, innovative thinking, and commitment to purposeful design.
Hotel Celestial Manor – A Palatial Baroque Realm Reimagined
Nestled in the cultural and historic fabric of Lucknow, Hotel Celestial Manor is a landmark project conceived to transport its guests into an era of Baroque splendour, where classical grandeur meets contemporary hospitality. Spanning an expansive built area and crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the project elevates luxury design to a cinematic experience. The overarching vision behind Celestial Manor is to create an environment that transcends conventional hospitality aesthetics, immersing every visitor in a royal palatial realm inspired by European courts. The result is a property that seamlessly blends ornamental richness, refined craftsmanship and modern functionality, offering a sense of timeless beauty rooted in a sophisticated design ethos. The grand lobby forms the nucleus of this architectural triumph, designed as an opulent first impression that celebrates Baroque ornamentation in its purest form. Sweeping marble flooring, towering columns wrapped in soft veined stone, intricately carved gold-leaf wall panels and sculptural metalwork compose a visual language that exudes magnificence.
The interplay of gilded details with warm ambient lighting highlights the dramatic ceiling compositions and cascading chandeliers that embellish the space. Every element, from hand-crafted mouldings to customised seating, has been thoughtfully curated to create an atmosphere of regal sophistication, making the lobby not merely an entrance but an immersive gateway to the palatial world within. Continuing this narrative of grandeur, the Jasper Banquet and Sapphire Banquet stand as expansive venues designed to host celebrations with unmatched theatricality. These ballrooms draw heavily from the Baroque tradition of layered ornamentation—featuring elaborately patterned ceilings, gently fluted columns, richly textured wall treatments and lush plum drapery that heightens the drama of the space. The spatial planning is crafted to accommodate large gatherings without compromising intimacy, and the careful orchestration of lighting, symmetry and mirrored surfaces adds a ceremonial quality to the environment. These banquet halls elevate every event into an artistic experience, capturing the romantic elegance of European palaces while integrating the functionality demanded by contemporary hospitality.
The hotel’s suite collection furthers this dedication to artisanal detailing and luxurious living. Designed across Standard Rooms, Queen Suites and King Suites, each accommodation is envisioned as a serene extension of the Baroque aesthetic. Softened palettes of ivory, champagne and gold provide a calming backdrop to bespoke carved headboards, classical wall panelling, delicate sconces and ornamental drapery.
Natural daylight filters through layered curtains, balancing the richness of the décor with an atmosphere of peaceful refinement. Exquisite furniture pieces, curated artworks and carefully proportioned layouts ensure that every suite delivers not only visual splendour but also exceptional comfort, forming a holistic guest experience where tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously.
In contrast to these ornate settings, Serenity Salon introduces a refreshing contemporary mood within the property. Characterised by clean lines, fluid geometry and a warm neutral palette enriched with soft gold accents, the salon is designed to offer a sophisticated, modern sanctuary for grooming and wellness. Its layout includes dedicated hair-care stations, grooming zones, manicure and pedicure lounges, luxe nail-care sections and private spa rooms, all composed to encourage relaxation. A glass façade invites natural light deep into the interior, while strategically positioned mirrors enhance a sense of openness and individuality, creating a personalised and uplifting atmosphere for guests seeking rejuvenation.
Adding a culturally rich dimension to the hospitality experience is Opal Fine Dine, a restaurant conceptualised to reflect the Nawabi legacy of Lucknow through contemporary design. This space infuses warm, refined textures with subtle traditional accents, creating an environment where heritage and modernity coexist with effortless grace. Elegant wall highlights, soft lighting, and carefully curated décor work together to form a dining setting that is both sophisticated and deeply rooted in the region’s aesthetic identity.
Complementing these serene spaces is the Coral Bar, an expressive lounge designed to capture an eclectic and atmospheric charm. Dramatic angled mirror panels, glowing spherical light features, plush seating and antique candle-style chandeliers define the space with a theatrical edge. The design is intentionally bold, cultivating an environment that feels intimate, energetic and deeply engaging—an ideal venue for leisurely conversations and social gatherings.
The experience culminates at the swimming pool deck, envisioned as a chic, warm retreat where guests can unwind in comfort. The design embraces relaxed textures, soft hues and open spatial planning, creating a calm, inviting atmosphere that complements the grandiosity of the hotel’s interiors.
Ultimately, Hotel Celestial Manor stands as a masterfully executed homage to Baroque splendour while embracing the needs of contemporary luxury hospitality. Every space within the property has been crafted with an unwavering commitment to detail, quality and experiential depth. With its fusion of palatial grandeur, cultural nuance and modern refinement, Celestial Manor not only redefines luxury design in Lucknow but sets a new benchmark for immersive, story-driven hospitality environments
B S JIRGE AUDITORIUM PROJECT
The transformation of this 40,000 sq. ft. auditorium into a contemporary International Convention Hall stands out as a compelling example of how heritage structures can be elevated without compromising functionality, comfort, or technological ambition. What was once a dated, 40-year-old facility within a prestigious university campus is now a polished, future-ready venue defined by meticulous detailing and a clear design vision.
The design team employs a minimalist chic language, clean lines, sculpted planes, and well-calibrated angles to create spatial drama without visual clutter. A warm, neutral palette of woods, whites, greys, and beige, punctuated with sapphire blue, sets the tone for an environment that feels both sophisticated and approachable.
The main lobby delivers an immediate sense of occasion. Its pristine white marble-look tile flooring—an innovative first in terms of application—pairs elegantly with a doubleheight ceiling clad in acrylic water-ripple sheets. Concealed lighting accentuates the rippling effect, lending the space a quiet glamour. At both ends, floor-to-ceiling 3D artworks inspired by the cultural heritage of North and South Karnataka provide a meaningful narrative layer, grounding the modern aesthetic in a regional context.
Inside the house area, the design strikes a thoughtful balance between comfort and performance. Neutral beige surfaces are offset by deeper ebony and blue highlights, while a combination of PET/ non-woven acoustic panels and sound-trap wooden slats ensures high NRC levels, fire safety, and longevity. Backlit translucent stretch panels draw the eye upward, subtly enhancing verticality and luxury. The clever introduction of an upper mezzanine increases seating from 900 to 1200—a smart spatial optimisation that activates previously underutilised zones.
Material choices throughout the project reflect a commitment to sustainability. The auditorium’s carpeting incorporates anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, while the stage floor—crafted from thermo-treated wood—offers a natural, non-toxic finish. Acoustic treatment on the stage walls and ceiling further reinforces performance quality, with soft grey and black tones maintaining a dignified, understated backdrop.
Where the project truly excels is in its integration of technology. A large-format high-definition video wall, paired with a sophisticated line-array audio system, positions this hall among the most advanced in the country. The ability to livestream events to two smaller auditoriums significantly broadens audience engagement. Fully automated lighting, sound, and stage controls ensure seamless operation, aligning the space with global standards for contemporary performance venues.
Overall, the redesign delivers a compelling blend of luxury, technical precision, and environmental consciousness—proof that legacy infrastructure, when thoughtfully reimagined, can achieve a powerful new relevance.
Medical College Library – A Contemporary Learning Ecosystem
Set within a vast 40,000 sq.ft. double-height expanse, the Medical College Library has been envisioned as a transformative learning environment that redefines how students engage with knowledge. Designed as a state-of-the-art academic hub, the library blends advanced technology, thoughtful spatial zoning, and a serene aesthetic language to create an elevated experience for its users. With the capacity to house up to 50,000 books and accommodate more than 600 students at a time, the space has been meticulously planned to support diverse modes of study—from quiet, individual reading to collaborative research and digital exploration.
At the heart of the design is an intelligent integration of automation and user-centric innovation. Automated kiosks for book issue and return streamline circulation, while centralised light and temperature control systems ensure a comfortable environment throughout the day. Large, curved interactive LED screens anchor the double-height reception area, offering real-time library zoning, academic updates, and engaging visual content. Additional interactive display screens integrated within the bookshelves allow students to access information about the collection at a glance, enhancing the ease and efficiency of navigation. The spatial planning adopts a sensitive balance of neutrality and vibrancy. Soft grey, curved bookshelves, illuminated with understated profile lighting, define the visual rhythm of the library while adding sculptural fluidity. Each zone—undergraduate, postgraduate, faculty, research, and hostel—has been colour-coded subtly to create identity without overwhelming the calm palette. A dedicated digital research area, private study cabins, and a hostel-exclusive reading lounge ensure that the needs of every student community are addressed with precision.
The design vocabulary draws inspiration from organic, free-flowing forms. Layered amoebashaped ceiling contours create the illusion of heightened volume, while a custom-designed sunburst chandelier with concentric LED rings becomes the signature element of the doubleheight atrium. The interplay of warm wood louvrecladded columns and full-height glazing establishes a seamless connection with the landscaped outdoors, blurring boundaries between nature and built form. This infusion of greenery elevates the calm, meditative quality of the interiors, fostering a conducive environment for long hours of study. Beyond functionality, the library champions comfort and inclusivity. Plush seating clusters, ergonomic study furnishings, and thoughtfully distributed lighting create a space that is both visually elegant and experientially enriching. A neatly carved-out coffee station offers moments of respite, adding an element of relaxation to the academic setting. More than just a repository of books, this library stands as a future-ready academic landmark—a place where technology, architecture, and human experience harmoniously converge. It symbolises the institution’s progressive vision, offering students an environment that supports intellectual growth while celebrating contemporary design excellence.
State-of-the-Art Lecture Halls – A New Benchmark in Academic Infrastructure
Conceived as advanced learning environments that mirror the spatial quality of mini-auditoriums, the 300-seater lecture halls represent a significant leap forward in institutional design. The project’s core intent is to create technologically empowered, acoustically seamless and aesthetically refined academic spaces that support modern pedagogical methods while fostering comfort and engagement. A neutral palette of warm oak woods paired with subtle white surfaces forms the visual foundation of the halls, establishing a serene and focused atmosphere that enhances concentration and reduces visual fatigue. Although both lecture halls share the same material language, each has been articulated with a distinct identity through variation in pattern, geometry and lighting, ensuring individuality without disrupting the cohesive design narrative.
A major highlight of the project is its highly engineered acoustic strategy, achieved through the integration of superior-quality PET panels and precision-crafted wood perforated panelling. These materials work in synergy to deliver optimal sound absorption and controlled reflection, ensuring clear audibility across the entire 300-seat capacity. The wall composition is further enriched by flowing wave-form patterns that introduce depth, movement and a subtle sculptural quality to the interiors. The entrance doors have been meticulously detailed to merge seamlessly with the panelling system, maintaining visual continuity and reinforcing the clean, uninterrupted aesthetic that defines the space. Cove lighting delicately traces the contours of these wave forms, accentuating the rhythm of the walls and enhancing the spatial experience.
Functionality remains central to the design philosophy. The custom-designed tiered desks are equipped with integrated power sockets and discreet bag storage, enabling students to stay connected and organised without visual clutter. Ergonomically engineered revolving chairs allow smooth movement while preventing disruption to neighbouring seats, supporting uninterrupted learning. The layered ceiling design incorporates a sophisticated blend of ambient cove lights and functional COB lighting, casting a crisp, uniform illumination that heightens the hall’s contemporary character. A calibrated mix of ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted Bose speakers ensures premium audio performance, making the halls ideal not only for traditional lectures but also for high-clarity AV presentations and interactive sessions.
Technological integration forms the backbone of the lecture halls’ advanced teaching capabilities. A state-of-the-art lumens autotracking motion-sensing camera system captures both the tutor and the audience, enabling dynamic recording, broadcasting and remote learning functionalities. Two large digital screens, a central interactive whiteboard and a fully equipped smart podium create a world-class teaching setup that caters to the demands of modern academics. Beyond video conferencing, the halls are seamlessly connected to the teaching hospital’s Operations Theatre, allowing live surgical sessions to be streamed in real time. This integration transforms the lecture halls into immersive learning theatres, bridging theoretical instruction with real-world clinical practice and offering students an unparalleled academic experience.
Overall, the state-of-the-art lecture halls stand as a model of contemporary educational design—where aesthetic refinement, acoustic engineering and technological innovation converge. The project not only elevates the standards of classroom infrastructure but also redefines what academic spaces can offer, setting a new benchmark for future-ready learning environments.
UNIVERSITY GRAND LOBBY & ACADEMIC CORE WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART LECTURE HALLS
Set within a leading university campus, this three-level grand lobby reimagines the essence of contemporary academic architecture, blending monumental scale with refined elegance. Designed as the primary circulation spine for a cluster of state-of-the-art lecture halls, the space celebrates openness, light, and vertical movement, creating an inspiring environment for students, faculty, and visitors alike.
Upon entering, one is greeted by an expansive atrium bathed in natural light, where luxurious marble flooring and wall cladding establish a timeless, sophisticated foundation. Verticality becomes a defining design feature, expressed through towering fluted columns that rise seamlessly across all three levels. Soft metal accents trace the architectural contours of the space, adding a layer of subtle luxury without overpowering the clean, academic aesthetic.
The organic, layered wave ceiling floats overhead as an exquisite sculptural element, its fluid form highlighted with warm, diffused lighting that enhances the sense of movement and spatial drama. This ceiling feature not only unifies the space visually but also softens its monumental scale, creating a calm and inviting ambience. Lit-up staircases, designed as statement elements, guide visitors upward toward the lecture halls, becoming both functional and experiential in their presence. The integration of generous balconies on each level encourages pause points, conversation, and collaborative moments—reflecting the evolving culture of interactive learning within modern campuses.
Large-format planters and intentional greenery bring a natural softness to the grand volume, grounding the monumental architecture with a sense of warmth and well-being. Throughout the space, the interplay of texture, symmetry, and light creates a harmonious blend of academic prestige and contemporary comfort.
This new lobby stands as a testament to forward-thinking institutional design—where timeless materiality, thoughtful detailing, and architectural scale converge to shape an environment that is as inspiring as it is functional.
With its architectural portfolio growing in scale, ambition, and design depth, Soniya Potdarr Design Studio is entering a transformative new phase. The firm’s ability to merge artistry with technical excellence ensures that every new project becomes a benchmark—both for contemporary design and for the evolving narrative of Indian architecture.
Super Speciality Hospital – A Contemporary Lobby Designed for Flow, Comfort and Visual Harmony
The lobby of this Super Speciality Hospital has been conceptualised as a transformative transitional space that redefines the typical experience of healthcare environments. The design brief posed a unique challenge due to the linear and narrow proportions of the site, prompting the need for a spatial strategy that could visually widen the corridor and introduce a sense of fluidity. In response, the central seating was envisioned as a sculptural installation composed of flowing curvature waves arranged in sets of three. This organically shaped configuration not only breaks the monotony of the elongated layout but also guides circulation naturally, encouraging smooth movement while creating pockets of comfort for patients and visitors. The ceiling echoes this same undulating form through a rhythmic feature of illuminated curves, establishing an engaging visual dialogue between the horizontal and vertical planes and lending the entire space an immersive sculptural character.
The material palette plays a significant role in elevating the ambience of the lobby. Expanses of luxe Versace grey marble flooring paired with matching wall cladding introduce a refined elegance, grounding the space in a sense of quiet luxury without overwhelming its functional purpose. Bronze-tinted mirror panels line the walls, strategically placed to enhance depth and visually broaden the narrow footprint. Their reflective sheen adds warmth and sophistication, subtly animating the environment as light shifts throughout the day. The integration of wave-form seating and writing counters further reinforces the design’s fluid narrative, providing continuity to the organic language that defines the space while offering ergonomic comfort for visitors. Bronze-accented elevator doors add a refined metallic detail, contributing to a cohesive palette of warm, elegant tones.
A striking highlight of the lobby is the expansive glass mural that anchors the space with its dynamic concentric patterns. This artistic installation introduces a bold sensory moment, drawing the eye and establishing a focal point that balances the softness of the curvilinear furniture with a contemporary sculptural presence. The interplay of glossy surfaces, organic silhouettes and precise lighting results in a lobby that feels both serene and visually compelling. Every design element has been orchestrated to counter the inherent narrowness of the floor plate, transforming a spatial constraint into a defining aesthetic strength. Ultimately, the Super Speciality Hospital lobby embodies a sophisticated union of form and function, where thoughtful spatial planning and premium materials come together to craft an environment of comfort, clarity and visual richness. More than a waiting area, it stands as a welcoming, uplifting introduction to the hospital, setting the tone for a patient-centric experience grounded in care, dignity and contemporary design excellence.
Soniya Potdarr Design Studio – Expanding into Architectural Design Excellence
With over two decades of distinguished design practice, Soniya Potdarr Design Studio continues to redefine the boundaries of creative innovation by extending its expertise into full-scale building design projects. In collaboration with G B Architects, the studio has embarked on a new chapter— one that brings together architectural vision, technical proficiency and a signature design sensibility honed through years of multidisciplinary work. This strategic expansion marks a significant evolution for the studio, positioning it at the forefront of integrated architectural and interior design in India’s growing hospitality, institutional and luxury residential sectors.
Among the studio’s most prestigious upcoming projects is a 36-room neo-classical boutique hotel, a landmark property distinguished by its grand façade, elegantly proportioned arches, classical detailing and illuminated cornices. The architecture embraces timeless European influences while incorporating contemporary elements, creating a structure that stands as a visual statement of luxury and refinement. This project reflects the studio’s commitment to crafting buildings that are not only aesthetically compelling but also deeply rooted in contextual understanding, functionality and long-term resilience.
Equally noteworthy is the studio’s involvement in a state-ofthe-art Museum & Lecture Complex, an ambitious institutional development that synthesizes modern innovation with sophisticated spatial planning. Designed to support worldclass learning, research and cultural engagement, the project features advanced technological integrations, sculptural façade treatments and thoughtfully curated public zones. It represents the firm’s capability to handle large-scale civic and educational architecture with the same precision and finesse that define its interior design legacy.
The portfolio further includes a series of luxury villas, each tailored to reflect an elevated lifestyle experience through bespoke architectural detailing, lush landscape integration and a seamless relationship between indoor and outdoor space. These residences emphasize material richness, natural light, privacy and holistic comfort, showcasing the studio’s ability to merge architectural form with the intimacy of personalized living.
As Soniya Potdarr Design Studio moves into this new realm of architectural work, its approach remains anchored in the values that have shaped its reputation—design integrity, meticulous craftsmanship, and a commitment to creating spaces that inspire. With every new project, the studio continues to push the boundaries of what contemporary architecture can achieve, ensuring that each development becomes a distinctive landmark within its environment. This next phase marks not just an expansion of services, but a bold step toward shaping the future of experiential, aesthetic and sustainable architectural design
