Q1. What inspired the creation of Design Conclave, and how has the platform evolved since its inception?
Design has always fascinated me, not just as an aesthetic exercise but as something that deeply impacts the way we live.
The idea behind Design Conclave was to build a stage where innovation, tradition, and conversation could come together. When we started, it was simply about giving designers and brands a space to showcase their ideas.
Over time, it has grown into a movement, a place where global thinkers, Indian masters, young talent, and industry leaders all find common ground. Today, it&rsquo;s less of an &ldquo;event&rdquo; and more of a dialogue that keeps evolving with every edition.
Q2. How does Design Conclave 2025 aim to stand out from previous editions?
Every year, we challenge ourselves to push the boundaries a little further. For 2025, the focus is on creating immersive experiences rather than just exhibitions.
We&rsquo;ve brought in not only iconic global names but also curated installations, workshops, and hands-on activities that invite participation. This year is also about deeper storytelling, where every corner of the Conclave speaks to ideas of change, culture, and responsibility.
Q3. The Conclave is known for bringing together global leaders and Indian craft masters. Why is this cross-cultural exchange important to you?
Because design doesn&rsquo;t exist in silos. When a global architect sits down with a local karigar, magic happens.
One brings scale and vision, the other brings tradition and intimacy, together, they create something truly timeless.
For me, this exchange is about respect: respect for heritage, respect for innovation, and respect for the possibility of new ideas being born when these worlds collide.
Q4. Could you share more about Transition, your special curation for this year?
Transition is very close to my heart. It&rsquo;s about capturing that moment of &ldquo;in-between&rdquo; , where tradition intertwines with technology, where old practices evolve into contemporary expressions. The idea is to show how design is never static; it&rsquo;s always shifting, always adapting. Through the installations and showcases under Transition, we&rsquo;re asking: how do we honor where we&rsquo;ve come from while also embracing where we&rsquo;re headed?
Q5. Sustainability is a recurring theme in design conversations today. How is Design Conclave 2025 addressing this?
Sustainability isn&rsquo;t just a buzzword for us, it&rsquo;s a responsibility. At Design Conclave 2025, you&rsquo;ll see it in many layers, from the way we&rsquo;ve structured the exhibits, with conscious materials and mindful design, to the conversations on stage, where experts are rethinking everything from construction methods to circular design.
Even the Karigar Showcase ties back to sustainability, because reviving craft is also about reviving practices that are inherently low-impact and community-driven.
Q6. The Karigar Showcase has become a signature element of the Conclave. What can audiences expect from this year&rsquo;s edition?
This year&rsquo;s Karigar Showcase is all about reintroducing traditional crafts in a fresh language. You&rsquo;ll see pottery, bamboo work, textiles, and terracotta, but presented in formats you may never have imagined before. It&rsquo;s about taking something deeply rooted in our culture and reinterpreting it for today&rsquo;s world.
The beauty of this showcase is that it reminds us that our future doesn&rsquo;t have to leave our past behind.
Q7. What role does collaboration play in shaping the programming of Design Conclave?
Collaboration is the heartbeat of Design Conclave. Nothing here is built in isolation, whether it&rsquo;s a panel discussion, an installation, or a workshop.
Every element is shaped through partnerships between designers, brands, artisans, and thought leaders. I&rsquo;ve always believed that design flourishes most when voices come together, and the Conclave is proof of that.
Q8. How do you see platforms like Design Conclave impacting the future of India&rsquo;s design and architecture landscape?
India has such a rich design DNA, but for a long time we&rsquo;ve been playing catch-up with global trends. Platforms like Design Conclave flip that narrative. They put India at the center, not just as a participant but as a thought leader.
By bringing conversations, crafts, and innovations under one roof, I think we&rsquo;re helping build confidence in India&rsquo;s own design voice, which is crucial for the next generation of architects and designers.
Q9. What message would you like participants and the industry to take away from Design Conclave 2025?
That design is not just about how things look, but about how they make us feel, live, and connect. I&rsquo;d like people to walk away with a sense of possibility, that when we respect our roots, embrace new ideas, and collaborate with openness, design can genuinely change the way we experience the world.

Design Conclave 2025 focuses on immersive experiences and cross-cultural exchange, blending global innovation with Indian tradition and craft.

In Conversation with Bulbeer Gandhi - Director of Design Conclave

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In Conversation with Bulbeer Gandhi - Director of Design Conclave

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