Harsh Vardhan

Studio Lotus is a globally recognised, multi-disciplinary design practice founded in 2002. Spanning the domains of Master Planning, Architecture, and Interior Design, the work of the award-winning practice is grounded on the principles of Conscious Design—an approach that celebrates local resources, cultural influences, an inclusive process, and keen attention to detail. Harsh leads the studio’s Business Development and Organizational initiatives. With a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Harsh joined Studio Lotus in 2012 as an intern and grew to be a Team Lead, working on numerous projects, including the House in a Garden, Mauritius, Stacked Courtyard House, New Delhi, and on international design competition entries. He left the studio in 2016 to pursue an entrepreneurial venture, rejoining after a year to embark on his current path. His business acumen and experience as an architect have led Harsh to establish a seamless balance between the Vision for the practice and its Business opportunities. At the studio, he focuses on modelling frameworks to develop and execute the practice's tactical priorities. He works with the core leadership to choreograph and oversee Strategic Planning and Operations, and manage pivotal Client Relationships. Harsh has been a catalyst in seeking new opportunities and empowering the studio's voice by streamlining its Communications activities. Harsh's approach to management is not only data-driven but also people-centric. He is personally devoted to the idea of "All Things People", driving teams and individuals to expand their roles and helping them align their goals with the studio's guiding principles. Passionate about storytelling and its potential to humanise design, Harsh's research focuses on applying design principles to enhance our way of living. Harsh is regularly invited to share his expertise with the design community and industry, having been on a panel at IIAD discussing Artificial Intelligence in Design, 2023, keynote speaker at IIA Kottayam, 2023 and at the Outlook Responsible Tourism Awards 2022, among others.