There is a Greek word that beautifully captures the act of putting a piece of yourself into your work, “Meraki”. For Chandrika Sahay, Founding Director & Principal Architect of Meraki Dezine, it isn’t just a poetic expression. It is a philosophy, a culture, and a lived practice that defines every hospital corridor, hospitality space, and learning environment her firm creates.

With over two decades in architecture across geographies, cultures, and typologies, Sahay’s journey is not just about buildings. It’s about emotions, context, and responsibility.

A Childhood of Curiosity, Not Blueprints

Interestingly, Sahay does not come from an architectural or business family. Her entry into design was seeded early, not through technical drawings, but through exposure. Her mother often took her to exhibitions and art showcases, nurturing a silent but powerful relationship with space and aesthetics. Those early influences eventually evolved into a professional venture. And once she stepped into the field, there were no regrets, only expansion. Working across diverse geographies exposed her to different construction practices, cultures, and design languages. That period, she reflects, built her strongest foundation, the understanding that architecture is deeply contextual.

“Architecture has to be functional. It should culturally and emotionally resonate with people.” This belief continues to anchor her practice today.

Why “Meraki” Was Never Just a Name

When Sahay founded her studio, she chose a name that many suggested she might outgrow. She never did. For her, every project becomes “her baby” – born out of thoughtful intent, raised through challenges, and released only when it feels complete. There is emotional investment, intellectual depth, and intentional collaboration in each undertaking. Meraki, in her words, is not transactional. It is a purpose-driven design rooted in ownership and excellence.

From hospitals to hotels, from learning spaces to luxury residences, each project carries an imprint of passion and precision. The team doesn’t aim to impress. They aim to connect.

Reinterpreting India: The Rise of “Global Desi” Architecture

One of the most compelling aspects of Sahay’s philosophy is her commitment to Indian sensibilities, not as nostalgia, but as innovation. She draws inspiration from India’s architectural heritage, from the climate-responsive cooling systems of forts like Amer Fort in Jaipur to the architectural wisdom found in centuries-old palaces. For her, the past is not something to imitate, but to reinterpret.

“What would a ‘global desi’ space look like today, and what will it look like in the years to come?”

This question drives her work. Her approach blends Climate responsiveness, cultural relevance, and spatial functionality with contemporary global practices. The outcome? Architecture that feels rooted yet forward-thinking. Structured within chaos, just like India itself.

Trust Over Volume: The Real Growth Strategy

Meraki Dezine’s expansion across India, the Gulf, Africa (including Kenya), and even Houston in the United States, wasn’t driven by aggressive scaling. It was built on trust.

Building lasting relationships with clients, fostering long-term partnerships, and enjoying collaborative growth together – this is the foundation of success. 

A key turning point for the firm came when it consciously began focusing more on healthcare, hospitality, and learning spaces, sectors where they felt they could create a transformative impact.

“It’s always been quality and value over numbers.” In an industry often dominated by volume metrics, that statement stands out.

Designing Healthcare That Heals Emotionally

If there is one area that holds a special place in Sahay’s heart, it is healthcare architecture. She recalls moments when visitors left feedback saying they forgot they had come for a medical check-up, because the space made them feel at ease. Positive and Calm. For an architect, that is more than validation. It is purpose fulfilled. In healthcare spaces, she balances technical rigor with emotional intelligence, ensuring that the built environment contributes to healing, not anxiety.

The First Big Leap

Before starting her own firm, Sahay worked with established practices. But her first independent project was no small step – it was a restaurant at the Royal Opera House in the Middle East. An iconic space. A high-profile project. She still remembers the Deputy Prime Minister visiting the site before its formal opening. It was a defining moment, not just professionally, but personally. Proof that she could hold her own on a global stage.

Leadership Without Ego

When asked whether she ever compromises her design philosophy for clients, Sahay’s response is refreshingly grounded.

“It’s not my canvas.”

Architecture, she believes, is a collaborative journey. The client has a vision. The end user has needs. The architect has expertise. The real magic happens when these forces intersect. This humility perhaps explains the firm’s strong client relationships, built on accountability, transparency, and structured processes.

Meraki Dezine doesn’t position itself as a service provider. It becomes a growth partner.

Does Design Have a Gender?

When asked about being a woman in leadership within architecture, Sahay responds with a question of her own:

“Does design have a gender?”

Designers may have gender identities, she says, but excellence does not. Sahay acknowledges that stereotypes exist. They are subtle, sometimes visible, sometimes structural. She has climbed buildings, checked structural reinforcements, and navigated construction sites firsthand. Capability, she believes, is not gender-driven. Design doesn’t discriminate. Only people do. And Sahay chooses to embrace her work with focus and determination.

Scaling Without Losing Integrity

As Meraki expanded across sectors and geographies, the biggest challenge wasn’t competition; it was scale with responsibility.

How do you maintain design integrity while growing?
How do you lead complex projects without diluting vision?

As a founding director, her days are anything but repetitive. Strategic decision-making, team mentorship, design reviews, and client engagement, each day shifts in rhythm. But her priority remains clear: Building a future-ready practice. Scaling projects across regions comes with complexity. The challenge is maintaining design integrity while expanding the footprint. For that, she credits her aligned team and shared vision.

“The importance of having the right people, aligned in every respect, cannot be overstated,” she says.

Advice to the Next Generation: Be “Crazily Passionate”

When asked what she would tell young architects, Chandrika Sahay doesn’t list rules; she speaks about attitude. For her, passion is the starting point. One has to truly love the process, not just the outcome. At the same time, she stresses that creativity must be backed by strong technical knowledge. Skill gives confidence to innovate responsibly. She also encourages young designers to travel, observe, and stay curious, because real learning often happens outside classrooms. In her view, architecture is not just about constructing spaces; it is about understanding people, cultures, and experiences, and designing with that awareness.

The Meraki Way

Chandrika Sahay’s journey is not about dramatic reinvention or loud disruption. It is about steady conviction. Intentional growth. Designing with emotion and precision. In a world chasing speed, scale and glass-and-steel uniformity, she reminds us that the most powerful architecture is the kind that quietly holds people – culturally, emotionally, and physically. Her work is structured, strategic, and globally expanding, yet emotionally grounded. 

Chandrika Sahay’s vision reminds us that architecture can still carry soul. Perhaps that is what Meraki truly means.

“To build with soul, and never lose it.”

– Interview Conducted By Shivani Solanki