In a rapidly evolving design landscape, where trends come and go, Varsha Varma has consistently pushed boundaries and explored innovative ways to rethink space utilisation. From addressing the impact of the pandemic on people’s perceptions of their living and working environments to introducing creative design solutions like mezzanine workspaces, Varsha’s approach is as insightful as it is groundbreaking. In this interview, she shares her thoughts on major industry disruptions, low-cost construction techniques, and her experience working with quality products like dormakaba.
What has been one major disruption for you that has stood apart in the workplace design industry?
Varsha Varma: Recently, it was the pandemic. It wasn’t just any disruption—it changed so many things. As we saw today in the panel discussions, it transformed ways of working and the way the average person views space. People’s perception of how they work and live in relation to space has changed completely. Before, many never thought much about the spaces they occupied. But suddenly, after the pandemic, they became very conscious of their living environments and the spaces around them.
That was a significant disruption. I’ve observed that, because of this shift, people are increasingly inclined to buy land and build their homes. The way we live has changed, and so has the way we work, which is still evolving. People know they can’t work from home forever, but they also don’t want to return to the office as before. That dynamic is still evolving. Another impact is on financial planning—people are now willing to spend more money on their living spaces and improving their quality of life after the pandemic. That’s why I believe the pandemic was a massive disruption.
As someone who constantly looks at new innovations and techniques, what are some unique innovations or strategies that you have implemented across your projects?
Varsha Varma: I’ll touch upon two points—one on a broader level and one on a detailed level. First, across projects, we spend a lot of time during the initial stages, understanding what the client wants. Instead of just offering design or blueprint solutions, we also work with them on strategies. Many designs won’t succeed unless they align with the organization’s culture. Only when the client is on board with that culture can certain designs be successful. That’s one thing we apply across all projects.
Now, on a more specific level, in one of our office projects, I looked at how we could better use space. Typically, when you sit at a table to work, the vertical space above the table goes unused. No one stands there; it’s essentially dead space. So, we created a mini-mezzanine over the tables, using just five feet of space above them. If the ceiling height allows, you can add a small ladder and get a functional workspace above. The client loved it, and the employees, who were seeking new ways of working, appreciated the creative solution. This was just about using the dead space above the tables.
Could you shed light on the low-cost construction techniques you’ve used?
Varsha Varma: For the low-cost construction, it wasn’t a new technology we came up with. We used existing techniques and suggested them to the client, who agreed to go ahead with them. For instance, when we built a village for The Banyan, we used a technique called rat-trap bond masonry. A standard brick is nine inches long, and walls are typically nine inches thick. In this technique, we placed the bricks in such a way that it created voids between them. This way, you use fewer bricks while maintaining the same structural strength. It also improves ventilation and offers some insulation.
Q: Have you worked with dormakaba on any of your projects? What has your experience been with their services and products?
Varsha Varma: I’ve worked with dormakaba for many years, from a time when their products were very exclusive, with only a few clients using them. This was in the late 1990s. Since then, more people have come to realize the importance of quality, so now we don’t have to convince clients as much as we used to. dormakaba’s products are well thought-out and very solid.
I can give you an example—on one of my projects, we used their stainless steel products. I’ve seen many other brands’ stainless steel finishes rust over time, but dormakaba’s products have stood the test of time. One of the mortise handles from dormakaba has been in place for 20 years without rusting or discoloring, whereas similar products from other brands rusted after a few years. I’ve always been impressed with their durability.