Baaya is a trailblazing design consultancy studio and retail experience center renowned for infusing spaces with artistry and innovation. Inspired by the Indian Weaver Bird, Baaya seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, delivering distinctive design solutions for diverse sectors, including hospitality, corporate, residential, and public utility projects such as airports. Baaya specializes in bespoke interior styling, collaborating with acclaimed architects and designers to craft eclectic, evocative spaces.
Based in Mumbai, the Retail Experience Center is an artisanal décor treasure trove. It offers a curated selection of customizable products, including murals, furniture, and lighting. Baaya uses over 40 traditional Indian techniques such as Dokra, Lippankam, and intricate wood carving. Clients like Tata Bombay House, Hyatt Residency Dehradun, and the Oberoi Group attest to Baaya’s unparalleled expertise and creativity. Beyond aesthetics, Baaya embraces a powerful social mission—empowering Indian artisans by marrying heritage craftsmanship with modern design. This approach preserves cultural legacies and delivers transformative, story-rich interiors that captivate both B2B and B2C audiences.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Abhishek Bekal, COO, Baaya, offers an in-depth look into the studio’s projects. He sheds light on the unique offerings, details the materials integral to their designs, and emphasizes sustainability as a cornerstone of their process. Furthermore, he outlines his long-term vision for the organization. Below are the key insights from this enlightening conversation.
Q: Can you share insights into the design projects Baaya undertakes?
A: Baaya transforms interior and exterior spaces with artful solutions that seamlessly blend heritage and innovation. Drawing from India’s rich artisanal traditions, we infuse every project with the timeless beauty of heritage artworks while introducing cutting-edge design innovations. This unique approach also ensures that each creation embodies the essence of culture and modernity.
Our portfolio spans diverse sectors, including hospitality, educational institutions, residential projects, and corporate spaces, showcasing our versatility and expertise. Moreover, we specialize in crafting bespoke artworks, sculptures, lighting installations, murals, and other design elements that define and elevate a space. Whether reimagining traditional craftsmanship or incorporating it into contemporary aesthetics, our work exemplifies the perfect fusion of tradition and innovation. We tailor these projects to meet the creative demands of the modern world.
Q: What sets your designs apart from your competitors in the industry?
A: Every designer brings their unique competence to the table, and today’s world is seeing a surge of talented creators. However, many focus on just one or two materials or crafts. Baaya stands apart by offering a seamless blend of diverse materials and techniques. We collaborate with over 70 art and craft forms, specializing in 15 of them, to deliver unmatched creativity and versatility.
Our community includes more than 300 artisans and artists, ranging from grassroots to contemporary, who bring their exceptional skills to every project. Combined with the expertise and design sensibilities of our in-house team, this synergy produces truly unique and innovative outcomes.
At Baaya, we provide end-to-end solutions tailored to our clients’ needs. From conceptualization and design to detailed specifications, execution, and on-site installation, we manage every aspect of the process. With everything under one roof, we deliver a one-stop solution that ensures seamless collaboration, distinctive designs, and outstanding results.
Q: What are the primary base materials you use in your designs, and how do they contribute to their uniqueness?
A: As I mentioned, we work with a diverse range of materials. However, what you see here today is a unique blend of metal, wood, glass, and fiber-reinforced plastic. These elements come together in the sculpture behind you, further enhanced by hand painting, hand polishing, enamelling, and patina finishes. These textures and finishes represent our core competencies in material exploration. Beyond that, we also collaborate with grassroots artisans. Their expertise becomes an integral part of ours, enriching our work and expanding our capabilities.
Q: How do you incorporate sustainability into your design process, and why is it important to your work?
A: As we continue to expand and develop new designs, sustainability remains a key focus for us. We are committed to making our products and materials increasingly sustainable. However, this is a gradual process. Working with the hospitality and corporate sectors requires careful consideration of volume and cost-efficiency, which doesn’t always align with the higher costs of sourcing sustainable materials. Therefore, we must strategically choose clients where sustainability is a viable option. Over time, we hope the market will evolve, and clients will shift their mindset, allowing us to propose even more sustainable solutions.
Q: Have you undertaken design projects internationally, or is your focus primarily on the Indian market?
A: Currently, we are entirely India-based, with all our products made and sourced within the country. However, we aspire to expand globally. While we have supplied products made in India to clients abroad, we have not yet undertaken a complete end-to-end project outside of India.
Q: What is your long-term vision for Baaya over the next five to ten years, and how do you plan to achieve it?
A: We aim to be among the top five design agencies in the country, with a broader global presence to undertake more projects. As a design studio, we will continually prioritize design thinking and innovation, always striving to add greater value through our work. We focus on staying ahead of the curve, evolving execution techniques, and transforming how people perceive traditional artworks and cultural crafts. Our goal is to provide these art forms with a platform that reaches far beyond their current scope, making them globally recognized.
