Akar Design Studio By Ashritha K: Crafting Landscapes of Meaning & Memory

From intimate pooja gardens and family patios to shaded verandahs and forest-like backyards, each space is envisioned as a personal sanctuary.

Beyond residential work, the studio designs thoughtful green environments for corporate campuses, boutique resorts, public institutions, and hospitality venues. “These commercial landscapes are planned not just for aesthetic value but for environmental performance, incorporating climate-responsive planting, passive cooling strategies, and sensory elements that elevate user experience. We also offer customized garden accessories, outdoor furniture, and regionally crafted decor pieces to blend functionality with a strong regional identity”, asserts Ashritha. In an industry often driven by visual trends, Akar’s focus has remained on spaces that endure stylistically, perform ecologically, and comfort emotionally. From courtyard homes in heritage settings to nature-forward office landscapes, each site is treated as a canvas waiting to unfold its narrative.

Processes, Precision, & Post-Care

The studio’s production process blends technical rigor with craft sensitivity. While tools like BIM modeling and parametric planning ensure accuracy and efficiency, hand-drawn sketches, physical material samples, and site walkthroughs allow clients to stay connected to the tactile nature of the design. Materials are locally sourced wherever possible to maintain high quality and ecological balance. Soil health, irrigation planning, and plant selection are all carefully studied to suit regional climates. The studio also works with an extended team of horticulturists, lighting specialists, irrigation consultants, and artisans, some of whom have been collaborators since Akar Design Studio’s founding.

Where the studio particularly shines is its approach to post-completion care. Clients are supported through seasonal garden maintenance, plant health check-ins, and educational walkthroughs. The studio offers hands-on gardening workshops and long-term care plans for those who wish to deepen their connection to their space. This ongoing relationship helps landscapes evolve along with the lives they host. The studio’s accessories reflect the same level of intent. Aged brass urulis, weathered benches, terracotta lanterns, and frangipani-lined pathways all add emotional and spatial rhythm without overwhelming the environment. It avoids over-design, allowing nature and memory to take center stage.

A Future Rooted in Tradition

The journey of Akar Design Studio has included its fair share of challenges, from navigating bureaucratic hurdles to educating clients about the benefits of native over exotic species. Yet, each challenge has reinforced the studio’s commitment to thoughtful, research-backed design. One standout example was a government office site in Andhra Pradesh, where the transformation of a barren courtyard into a lush, story-rich landscape involved months of community consultation and site-specific storytelling.