03
Jun 2025
2:45 PM to 4:15 PM
Drama Workshop
Mayoor Private School, 42th St, Al Wathba South, Abu Dhabi- UAE
National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, INTACH Greater Mumbai Chapter, and Avid Learning present Motifs, Materials, and Makers of Mid-century Modern Design.
Mid-century Modernism emerged in the aftermath of World War II, reflecting a global optimism for renewal. Defined by clean lines, functional forms, and a fluid relationship between indoors and outdoors, the style rejected ornate decoration in favour of simplicity, clarity, and purpose. While its origins lie in postwar America and Europe, it captured the imagination of many Indian architects and engineers who were seeking new ways to express a modern identity during India’s formative nation-building years.
After exploring
Indo-Gothic and Bauhaus architectural styles, the third episode in this series
turns its lens to voices across disciplines whose work reflects an engagement
with this design spirit. From curating furniture and restoring family homes to
designing contemporary spaces with vintage accents, their practices show how
this design language continues to inform and inspire. The conversation will
also reflect the cultural aspirations embedded in Mid-century Modernism and how
its core values, functionality, simplicity, and connection to nature, remain
relevant in India’s built environment.
Join us as we uncover the ways progressive ideals were reinterpreted
into India’s evolving architectural and design identity.
Shivani Ajmera Co-founder and principal designer at Quirk studio, Shivani initially explored the world of advertising but soon discovered that the world of design was her true calling. Channelling her creative energy, cultivated and groomed through her love for art, music, and theatre, she went on to pursue Interior Design at the Florence Design Academy, Italy. Her experience of working with leading firms in India and the USA paved the way to creating compelling design solutions that add a unique perspective to the projects undertaken by Quirk Studio. With a contemporary vision rooted in innovation and experimentation, she crafts spaces that are uniquely vibrant, dynamic, and immersive. With each project contributing to the studio’s growth and evolution, one principle that remains constant for Shivani is a steadfast commitment to quality. Drawing inspiration from nature and crafting spaces that harmonize with their surroundings while narrating stories rooted in context, Shivani advocates for a design philosophy that seamlessly blends functionality with timeless elegance, ensuring each space is both purposeful and enduring. Committed to enhancing lifestyles through design, Quirk Studio continues to reach new global milestones.
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Nikhil Mahashur's strong passion for hospitality and commercial architecture is blended with a broad experience in PMC. He believes in creating a space not only for the person who commissions it but for the people who are going to use the space – each project is a celebration of that space and its intimacy. He describes his architectural style as Eclitecture - designing contemporary buildings and layering them with traditional elements. He firmly believes that the first impression is the one that will make you fall in love with the building. Helmed by Nikhil Mahashur, Nikhil Mahashur & Associates (NMA) is accustomed to delivering exemplary projects across Architecture, Renovation, Interiors, and PMC. NMA's design philosophy is therefore entrenched in creating the right first impression and a WOW factor through simplicity, where even a little chaos can be simple.
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Rohit Raj Mehndiratta is an architect, artist and urbanist. He is currently the Managing Director of Mahendra Raj Consultants PVT Ltd and also runs an architectural design & research practice in New Delhi, called SVR (Studio VanRO) Foundation with Vandini Mehta. The foundation’s engagement and the company’s engineering work have been published and presented nationally and internationally and have also won many awards and recognitions. Close collaboration with the Pritzker Awardee BV Doshi in Ahmedabad for Jatin Das Center for Arts, Bhubaneshwar and more recently with Rajeev Sethi in Delhi for scenographic projects has enriched his design and aesthetic sensibility further. In 2026 he co-edited the monograph titled ‘The Structure: Works of Mahendra Raj’ published by Park Books, Zurich that led to an international book tour and retrospective of Mahendra Raj’s work in KNMA, Delhi in 2019 that he co-conceptualised and was supported by Roobina Karode as a curatorial advisor. He has been a part of panel committees on Public Art Initiatives at the Delhi Urban Art Commission with Vivan Sundaram and KT Ravindran and UTTIPEC’s MRTS Corridor Development sub-group formed by the Ministry of Urban Development, Delhi Division.
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Sanaeya Vandrewala is a conservation architect, academician, and researcher specializing in architectural conservation, urban design, and heritage management. She holds an MA in Conservation Studies from the University of York, UK, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Mumbai. With over 19 years of experience in India and the UK, she has worked on prestigious projects, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ajanta Caves, Mahabodhi Temple, and the Victorian & Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai, and most recently the CSMT (Victoria Terminus). Currently an Assistant Professor and Programme Coordinator at KRVIA for the master's programme in Urban Design and Urban Conservation, India, she plays a key role in curriculum development, research integration, and conservation studies. Her research focuses on urban heritage conservation, sustainability, and energy efficiency in historic buildings, with publications on topics like policy-practice gaps, the role of historic buildings in the circular economy, and heritage resilience. She actively presents at international conferences and contributes to academic discourse through journals and editorial roles. Through active engagement in both fields, she bridges academia and practice, advocating the preservation of cultural heritage through policy, education, and architectural interventions.
Read moreThe Origins of Mid-century Modern Architecture
Mid-century Modern architecture emerged between the 1940s and 1970s, in the optimistic post-war era that embraced progress, functionality, and innovation. Influenced by the Bauhaus movement and pioneers like Frank Lloyd Wright, this design philosophy rejected ornate detailing and focused on clean lines, open floor plans, and integration with nature.
The movement thrived in the U.S. and Europe, emphasizing simplicity and efficiency without sacrificing elegance. Hallmarks of this style included flat planes, large glass windows, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Materials like wood, steel, and concrete were combined to create structures that felt both modern and warm. The idea was clear that design should serve people, remain timeless, and enhance everyday living.
Mid-century Modern Meets Bombay
When India gained independence, its cities began reimagining urban life. Bombay, with its cosmopolitan outlook, became a natural hub for modernist architectural experiments. Mid-century principles blended beautifully with India’s tropical context like open verandas, wide balconies, and natural ventilation adapted the Western style to local needs.
Prominent architects such as Charles Correa, Habib Rahman, and Raja Aederi drew inspiration from the movement while integrating regional materials like teak wood, stone, and jaalis for climate responsiveness. Residential apartments in South Bombay and institutional buildings across the city reflected this global-local dialogue. Even today, restored homes and curated interiors across Mumbai celebrate Mid-century aesthetics—proof of its enduring appeal in Indian design culture.
Icons of the Style & Its Revival Today
Globally, the Mid-century Modern movement was shaped by legendary architects and designers whose works remain icons of 20th-century design:
•Charles and Ray Eames – Renowned for the Eames Lounge Chair and their contribution to furniture design.
•Eero Saarinen – Creator of the Tulip chair and tables that defined sleek modernism.
•Ludwig Mies van der Rohe – His “less is more” philosophy revolutionized modern architecture.
•Arne Jacobsen – Designer of the Egg Chair, blending form with comfort.
Today, Mid-century Modern is experiencing a global revival, influencing everything from luxury homes to curated cafes. In India, boutique design studios, furniture stores like BARO, and restoration projects are bringing back the elegance of this style for a new generation that values timeless design, natural materials, and functional beauty.
