As STAPL (Soyuz Talib Architects) completes 25 years, its journey reveals more than a portfolio; it speaks of a practice rooted in intent, guided by experience, and continuously evolving with the changing rhythms of architecture and living.

A design studio shaped by instinct and an unrelenting pursuit of refinement, STAPL, helmed by Ar. Soyuz Talib and Ar. Kavita Parwani Talib steps into its 26th year with the quiet confidence of a studio that has grown deliberately, yet dynamically. What began in 1999 as a modest architectural venture has since evolved into a thriving practice of over 65 professionals, bound by a shared design sensibility and a deep commitment to craft.

The early years unfolded with a certain immediacy, projects came in, ideas were tested, and a language of design began to take shape. By the mid-2000s, that language had found both clarity and scale. Large￾format residential developments became a defining forte, marked by thoughtful planning and a keen attention to detail. But growth, for STAPL, was never about comfort zones. The transition into commercial architecture introduced a new layer of complexity, unfamiliar, yet deeply compelling and the studio embraced it with characteristic curiosity.

Milestones followed in quick succession. The move to a new office in 2010 was more than a spatial upgrade; it was a marker of intent. It signaled a shift in how the studio saw itself and how it wished to be seen. As the practice expanded its footprint across cities and states, its projects began to reflect a nuanced balance of design and executional rigour. By 2012, expansion became inevitable once again, mirroring the growing scale and diversity of its work.

What underpins this journey is an evolving philosophy, one shaped not just within the studio but through experiences beyond it. Travels, encounters with global architecture, and an ongoing engagement with the built environment have all contributed to a design approach that is layered, contextual, and quietly progressive.

In 2026, as STAPL marks the start of a new quarter, the reflection feels less like a pause and more like a moment of alignment. In the constant rhythm of building and delivering, there was little time to look back. Yet, the retrospective reveals something more enduring than projects, a way of thinking, and a philosophy that has steadily taken shape over time.

Today, with a team and a portfolio that continues to expand in both scale and nuance, STAPL stands at an inflection point, poised to script its next chapter with the same clarity, curiosity, and conviction that have defined its journey so far.

In an exclusive interview with Society Interiors & Design, Ar. Soyuz Talib and Ar. Kavita Parwani Talib reflects on their design journey, landmark projects, key challenges, and the evolving philosophy that continues to shape their practice.

Your practice reflects a distinct design sensibility that balances aesthetics with functionality. How would you describe the core philosophy that guides your work, Soyuz?

Our work is guided by the belief that architecture is a journey of disciplined wandering. A practice that balances the rigor of functionality with the independence of creative wonder.

Architecture taught me to step off the beaten track. We approach every project with the confidence to question norms and the independence to find `the way,’ a solution that isn’t just standard, but purposeful; specific to the site and the soul of the project. This means looking beyond the surface to understand the layers of history, environment, and material. My goal is to create spaces that feel authentic and real.

At the heart of it all is a commitment to the “other.” A space is only successful if it serves the person moving through it. “My practice is an exercise in Archi￾textured living, a commitment to thinking and designing empathetically. We balance aesthetics and function by placing the user at the center of a multi￾layered narrative, ensuring every space is as purposeful as it is evocative.”

As design partners, how do your individual perspectives and strengths complement each other in shaping a project?

“As design partners, we are a working team. We are each other’s sounding boards when required and out of the way when not. It’s a way of giving Space & Scope for both of us to grow, and nurture a team that has to push beyond what we started.“

At the core of our association is a dual leadership model that balances structural vision with experiential detail. While our roles are specialized, our goal is singular. In a way, it’s the Architectural Anchor meeting the interior narrative over blurred boundaries.

Soyuz has been the Principal Architect whose vision and leadership have steered the firm for over twenty-five years. His ability to navigate large-scale complexities and define the architectural language of a project is the engine that has propelled our journey from 1999 to today.

Kavita leads the Interior Design wing, focusing on the human scale and the layers of a space. Her work defines how the interior life of a building is as purposeful and evocative as its shell.

While our professional boundaries are clearly defined to ensure efficiency and clarity for our team, they are never rigid. We recognize that architecture and interiors are not separate silos but a simultaneous experience.

We allow these lines to blur as required, stepping into each other’s domains to ensure a seamless transition from the structural skeleton to the final finish. This fluidity allows us to be challenging and refining the work until the boundaries between structure and space disappear.

Sustainability design. How do you incorporate environmentally responsible strategies into your projects as becoming an essential aspect of contemporary?

Sustainability in Mumbai demands a careful balance between the macro—the city’s harsh tropical climate—and the micro—the tight constraints of high-rise living. In India, architecture is not just aesthetic; it is a response to survival against humidity, extreme density, and the verticality of the “concrete jungle.”

As much as possible, we use the three-pronged approach to climatic defense which is focused on Passive Design, Material Integrity and use of high-Performance Envelopes. This whole-building approach treats architecture as a living organism; one which breathes, eats and generates waste. In a city such as ours, every square foot must perform multiple functions; incorporating on-site Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and circular water systems which supports long-term resilience. Ultimately, sustainable architecture is about well￾being. Even in vertical living, maintaining a connection to the horizon and optimizing natural light can alleviate urban stress. Material empathy by the use of local, tactile materials like lime plaster, reclaimed wood, and terracotta—fosters warmth and longevity in Mumbai’s humid, saline climate.

Long-term sustainability in India’s high-rises has to see a shift from creating “glass monuments” to crafting structures that breathe with the city and recycle their own waste. In Mumbai, design is a dialogue between verticality and vulnerability. We solve the space deficit by going high, but we solve the environmental deficit by making those heights breathable—where altitude meets air, and architecture evolves from merely occupying space to truly enriching it.

What are some emerging design trends that you believe will shape the future of residential and commercial interiors in India?

The future of Indian interiors is moving away from ‘catalogue￾perfect’ toward Authentic Storytelling. This shift marks a cultural recalibration where spaces are living narratives that balance human emotion with high-tech efficiency.

The industry is rejecting sterile, clinical finishes in favor of tactile craftsmanship. This ‘perfectly imperfect’ aesthetic celebrates brushstrokes, hand-hewn textures, and naturally weathering patinas. It moves the focus from how a room looks in a photo to how it feels to the touch, grounding us in a world that often feels overly digital and transient.

There is a Human-Machine Interface and we are seeing a sophisticated “invisible” integration of technology. Instead of cold gadgets, AI-assisted efficiency is tucked behind warm, nostalgic materials. The tech provides the comfort; the craftsmanship provides the soul. “Less is more” is being replaced by ‘More of what matters.’

Homes are becoming highly personalized sanctuaries and sustainability in India has moved from a buzzword to a design backbone. There is a renewed pride in regional materiality using granites, local stones, terracotta, and reclaimed teak. By blending materials with contemporary silhouettes, designers are creating a “New Indian” aesthetic that is both globally relevant and rooted in local context.

In essence, the future of design lies in the emotional resonance of a space. Whether it is a compact flat or a corporate headquarters, the goal is to create an environment that tells a story, one that is sustainable, functional, and unapologetically real.

As designers working in a rapidly evolving industry, how do you see the relationship between architecture, interiors, and lifestyle changing?

The relationship between architecture, interiors, and lifestyle is evolving from a fragmented process into a unified ecosystem that mimics the complexity of the human psyche. We are moving away from “staged” perfection toward a philosophy of Integrated Living, where the “bones” of a building and the “soul” of its interiors are designed simultaneously to support a specific way of life. Indian homes are being designed with regional aesthetics and local stones that offer both cultural resonance and thermal cooling. There is a lived-in authenticity that combines ‘Gentle Clutter’ and curated layers that reflect identity and nostalgia.

Looking ahead, what design directions or project typologies would you like to explore further?

Moving forward, our practice is defined by a responsive methodology rather than a signature style. Having embraced a process of “unlearning,” we have transitioned from designers-as-specialists to designers-as-facilitators, prioritizing emotional resonance over mere visual impact.

Our vision focuses on sensory architecture and adaptive reuse; where we blend nostalgic storytelling with modern functionality to create spaces. Whether designing socially porous commercial hubs or regenerative, climate-responsive residences, our goal is to create sustainable luxury.

For us, the project typology is secondary to spatial intent; we create the stage, allowing the user’s life to be the primary performance

Cyberone Navi Mumbai

Situated on a prominent Creekside corner plot in Navi Mumbai, Cyber One navigates the duality of the high-speed Sion–Panvel Highway to the northwest and the tranquil sea to the southeast. Challenged by marshy subsoils, the design eschews conventional basements, instead consolidating parking within a six-storey podium where the corner geometry dictates an efficient vehicular ramp placement. This monolithic base utilizes horizontal apertures for natural ventilation and daylight, transforming into a luminous lantern at night, while vertical frosted glass inserts create a subtle “barcode” effect.

Rising 110 metres, the tower interlocks a central cylinder with two tapering cuboids between the 7th and 24th floors. This articulated massing successfully softens its slender proportions and perceived scale. The envelope acts as a “moving visual matrix”—a unitized, multi-layered water-tight curtain wall featuring Low-E double glazing in shifting silver and blue tones, offering dynamic, ever-changing vistas from the highway.

Designed for demanding IT infrastructure, the column-free floor plates maximize flexibility. A 64-metre northeast frontage harvests consistent, glare-free daylight, while the southwest service core functions as an effective thermal buffer. Vertical circulation is optimized by the Schindler Miconic 10 PORT system, a pioneering installation in India at the time.

Completed between 2010 and 2013, this LEED Gold-certified project integrates landscape and architecture seamlessly, standing as an early benchmark for sustainable high-rise development in India—proving that ambitious form and environmental performance can coexist with absolute clarity.

A curated selection from STAPL’s expansive portfolio offers a glimpse into the studio’s design ethos and evolving architectural language.

Kesar Solitaire

Situated along the Palm Beach Road, Kesar Solitaire occupies a strategic vantage point within Navi Mumbai’s evolving urban fabric. Conceived in 2006, the project was a bold departure from the corridor’s predominantly luxury residential context, pioneering a premium commercial environment in an uncharted precinct.

The architectural strategy is rooted in spatial efficiency and environmental responsiveness. By pushing the service core to the rear, the design opens the workspaces to unobstructed western views of the mangroves and creek, maximizing natural daylight. To accommodate substantial infrastructural demands—including parking for 450 vehicles—the design integrates three basements and dedicated podium levels. Above this base, the 28-story tower rises with a clean, linear expression that belies its complex structural logic.

Set on a 6,326 sq m plot, the building delivers highly flexible, column￾free floor plates. This structural feat is achieved through an RCC frame executed in M70 grade self￾compacting concrete. A rational grid with pre-planned sleeves ensures the seamless integration of all mechanical, electrical, firefighting, and HVAC systems. The envelope features high-performance double glazing, optimizing thermal comfort and energy efficiency without compromising the panoramic vistas.

At ground level, a sweeping driveway and striking glass and a landscaped forecourt with stepped lawns complements the tower’s restrained geometry, leading into a refined double-height lobby fitted with Mikonic lifts.

Completed in 2010, Kesar Solitaire stands as a forward-thinking intervention. Blending engineering precision with architectural clarity, it successfully redefined its immediate context and established a new benchmark for commercial design in the region.

Kesar Harmony

Nestled at the foot of the Kharghar Hills, this residential development redefines the relationship between built form and environment. Leveraging the flexibility of a 1.0 FSI, the architectural strategy avoids dense clustering in favor of a “living envelope.” By positioning three linear buildings along the site’s northern, eastern, and western boundaries, the layout plan carves out a monumental 90,000 sq. ft. central podium that serves as the project’s lungs. This perimeter￾led arrangement ensures that every apartment enjoys unobstructed views of the internal greenery, while the slender building profiles facilitate essential cross-ventilation for end units.

The aesthetic is driven by a clean, rhythmic grid of horizontal and vertical lines. To preserve the serenity of the central core, vehicular movement is restricted to the ground level, with 430 parking spaces tucked directly beneath the podium. This clear segregation creates a purely pedestrian sanctuary on the first floor, styled with a resort￾inspired program of wave pools, jogging tracks, and meditation zones. By prioritizing this expansive open space, the design successfully transforms a high-density brief into a breathable, landscape-driven retreat.

Emerald Bay

Completed in 2013 on a 7,190 sq m site in Nerul along Palm Beach Road, Emerald Bay balances high-rise residential density with a disciplined approach rooted in orientation, layered materiality, and the sensory experience of its coastal setting.

Constrained by a rectangular plot with a narrow viewing edge, the design employs a vertical strategy. Two identical 29-storey towers maximize western frontage toward Thane Creek and the Arabian Sea, establishing a distinct skyline marker while ensuring continuous environmental connection. Each tower houses 28 expansive 250 sq. m, four-bedroom residences. The spatial logic prioritizes climatic responsiveness: western-facing living spaces capture views, while recessed dining areas and secondary bedrooms facilitate the cross￾ventilation essential for the region’s humid climate.

A defining architectural feature is the 6-metre-wide cantilevered deck extending from each residence. Detailed with warm wooden soffits and minimal glass railings, these deep terraces act as thermal buffers that visually dissolve the interior-exterior boundary. High￾performance double glazing further mitigates heat gain and acoustic intrusion without compromising panoramic vistas.

At ground level, a monolithic granite driveway covered by a cantilevered canopy orchestrates arrival. Above the parking infrastructure, a 3,700 sq m landscaped podium unfolds as a communal realm. Grounded in a restrained palette of travertine and granite, the project exudes a sense of permanence. Within this landscape, a glass-encased temple floats above a reflective pool, offering a moment of quiet detachment. Landscaped podium with a conspicuous clubhouse completes the recreational amenities. This deliberate interplay of water, light, and materiality reinforces the refined, minimalist language that defines Emerald Bay’s identity within Navi Mumbai’s evolving fabric.

Meraki Life, Lonavla

Driven by a mandate to “un-build” rather than impose, Meraki Life integrates seamlessly into a pristine, 10-acre contoured landscape in Lonavla. Conceived as a weekend retreat comprising 26 independent villas and a central clubhouse, the design consistently prioritizes the unfettered environment over the built form.

Topography dictates the spatial logic. Embedded into the site, the clubhouse features a landscaped roof that aligns perfectly with the internal road, while the entry level houses a sunken pool. A scooped courtyard with a natural waterfall anchors this form-finish concrete structure, where expansive café vistas visually dissolve the concrete’s solidity.

Villa 19 exemplifies the project’s ethos of obscuring the architecture rather than elevating it on a pedestal. Utilizing the site’s contours to orchestrate privacy and a gradual spatial reveal, the approach begins at a lower elevation. A large wooden door and stone wall open into a double-height, sky-lit lobby. The interior program features four bedrooms, a home theatre, and expansive family and living spaces, culminating in a private pool and garden.

The boundary between indoors and outdoors is intentionally porous. Ground-floor windows slide entirely away to merge the living areas with the poolside deck, while large-span windows on the first floor frame panoramic views. Dramatically, a waterfall cascades from the pool’s edge, tracing the exterior staircase back down to the entry point.

Materiality is deeply contextual. The exterior features slatted natural stone cladding, while rock excavated directly from the site was repurposed for both construction and landscaping. Existing mango trees were carefully preserved and built around. The interiors balance this earthy, rugged minimalism with the functional ease of city life, resulting in a restrained and deeply contextual retreat.