The story of Mayank Anand, the founder of Mayank Anand Architecture and Interior (MA:AI), is one filled with uniqueness, which is capable of showing us a new perspective of how life can be lived exploring one’s interests while building multiple brands around it. Mayank Anand’s transition from the world of performing arts to Architecture and Interior design is a rare trajectory, yet he has successfully navigated this shift to build a recognized and awarded design atelier.Learning his life story is essential to understanding his mindset and how he built this brand from scratch, without any formal education in the field, and without a family background.
Mayank Anand was initially known to the general Indian Public as Dr. Rahul, the character he played from the once popular TV serial ‘Dill Mill Gayye’. Now he is a multi-disciplinary creative whose work defines the landscapes of luxury design. His brand, Mayank Anand Architecture and Interior, represents a convergence of storytelling, heritage preservation, and high end modern aesthetics.
Storytelling as the Foundation
Anand’s journey into architecture did not follow the usual academic route. His formative years were spent in Shimla at the prestigious Bishop Cotton School, followed by higher education at Knox University in the United States, where he graduated with a degree in English writing and theatre performance. These studies in literature and performance instilled a deep commitment to storytelling within him, which eventually became the bedrock of his architectural philosophy. But, this is only in hindsight that we realize how his education might have helped him in building his identity in this field. It is important to understand that when one undertakes formal education in a certain field, it does not mean that they should compulsorily make their mark, in the future, in that very field itself; and neither does it mean that if one makes a transition in their career to explore their interests and passion better, they are losing out on whatever they learnt through the course of their education. Mayank Anand’s life is a great example for this.
Anand views architecture as an extension of role-play. Just as a writer or a storyteller builds a world for a performance, he treats spaces as immersive environments that must evoke emotion and inspiration. This background allows him to approach design from a unique perspective, viewing a building not just as a structure but almost as a set or a backdrop with a narrative quality, allowing for the play of life to happen within it while facilitating experiences.
The Creative Bridge
After establishing a successful acting career in the mid-2000s, which even included hosting roles as a video jockey and major roles in television dramas, Anand began searching for ways to extend his creative expression into tangible products. The shift toward architecture was what he describes as a “natural progression,” which began in the world of fashion.
In 2011, Anand and his wife, actress Shraddha Nigam, launched their fashion label, Mayank Anand Shraddha Nigam (MASN). Debuting at Lakme Fashion Week, the label focused on blending traditional Indian motifs with contemporary cuts. This venture served as a critical bridge; it allowed Anand to experiment with textures and materials on a smaller scale. He notes that his creative path moved seamlessly from “fashion to spaces and then to product,” with each phase informing the next.
Founding MA:AI: Architecture as Art
By 2012, his creative inclinations led him to the founding of Mayank Anand Architecture & Interiors (MA:AI). Anand’s brand was established with the purpose of crafting spaces that go beyond fleeting trends to become timeless art. His signature style, often described as modern maximalism, combines rich cultural narratives with practical innovations. The MA:AI brand is built on several key pillars that distinguish it in a competitive market. Some of these include, a unified approach in designing, experiential spaces, sustainable luxury, and the integration of heritage. A unified approach in designing is about viewing all the fields of architecture, interior design, landscape and its seamless execution as equally important aspects about building a truly experiential and harmonius space for the clients. Clients are best served as they don’t have to worry about dealing with any other agencies or parties to get their spaces completed and only need a single point of contact. This turnkey execution of client’s concerns and demands is also something they specialize in. The firm is highly committed to ecologically conscious practices, utilizing locally sourced and repurposed materials without compromising elegance or comfort. This is the sustainable part in their designs.
Further, let’s understand how heritage preservation and integration plays a major role in his designs. A critical component of Anand’s brand is his connection to Circa Warehouse, a restoration studio and gallery he co-founded in Goa. This venture is a revival of his grandfather Hans Raj Suri’s legacy. In 1959, Suri began showcasing Indian art to the world, a mission supported even by our late PM, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Through Circa, Anand sources, restores, and sells prestigious sculptures and architectural elements, things with a heritage value. For example, tribal wooden temple doors from Maharashtra or vintage wooden beams from Rajasthan. This resource allows MA:AI to create ‘single-edition spaces’, giving the clients their premium luxury and pride associated with owning it. By incorporating authentic, one-of-a-kind artifacts into modern luxury projects, Anand ensures his architectural brand remains rooted in cultural preservation and history also. A central tenet of both MA:AI and Circa is ‘The Home Test’, which is a guiding principle where no piece or design is featured if the founders would not want it in their own homes.
Recognition and Scaling Heights
The brand’s evolution has been marked by steady growth and significant industry recognition. Between 2013 and 2015, the firm built its foundation through early residential projects. By 2018, it expanded into the hospitality sector, designing boutique hotels and experiential resorts that prioritized narrative-driven design and high-class luxury. Anand’s transition from a non-architectural background has been validated by the prestigious honors that he and his firm have now achieved. He has been featured in the AD List 2025 for innovation in architecture and interiors.
He has also been the winner of the Spaciux Design Award 2023 (People’s Choice) for emotionally resonant design. Also, his firm was included in the Buildofy Showcase as one of India’s top firms for contextual design.
Today, Mayank Anand manages landmark projects across India, from luxury villas to private estates. By merging his theatrical roots with material intelligence and a deep respect for heritage, he has built a brand that treats architecture not just as a profession, but as a medium for lived experiences and cultural storytelling.
References:
- Architectural Digest India, 2026. Mayank Anand Architecture And Interiors. [online] Condé Nast. Available at: https://www.adindia.com/ [Accessed 25 March 2026].
- Biswas, D., 2024. At Circa, no two vintage art or artefacts are the same. [online] YourStory. Available at: https://yourstory.com/ys-life/at-circa-no-two-vintage-art-or-artefacts-are-the-same [Accessed 25 March 2026].
- Circa Warehouse, 2026. Our Story. [online] Circa Warehouse. Available at: https://circawarehouse.com/our-story [Accessed 25 March 2026].
- Top Interiors India, 2025. Mayank Anand Architecture and Interiors (MA:AI)—Where Architecture Becomes Art. [online] Top Interiors India. Available at: https://topinteriorsindia.com/mayank-anand-architecture-and-interiors-ma-ai-where-architecture-becomes-art/ [Accessed 25 March 2026].
- Grokipedia, 2026. Mayank Anand. [online] Available at: https://grokipedia.com/page/Mayank_Anand [Accessed 25 Mar. 2026].
