Studio DCode is a Chennai based inter-disciplinary design practice with a strong will to push boundaries in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and urban design. As a firm with more than 15 years of field experience, we work very closely with our building materials and believe in handcrafting any space, making it sensitive and responsive to its immediate environment. We also specialize in ‘design-build’ for projects that involve recycled elements and material, special architectural building methodologies and sustainable construction techniques.

We strongly believe in reviving an ignored art or a craft form by incorporating it into our design, thereby fulfilling our desire to empower craftsmanship and stay rooted in traditional building practices, while creating a contemporary context so that the building is in tune with its place in time.

Founding Partners

Anupama

Partner and landscape architect at studio DCode, Anupama holds a Bachelor’s degree in architecture from The Madras University, India & a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture from The University of Greenwich, UK. She has worked with Cornwall Environmental Consultants, UK. Back in India, Anupama specializes in creating innovative spaces, both interior and exterior with a blend of the past, present and the future. The theme of her work chiefly involves the use of heritage elements in a contemporary context – an east meets west concept, that studio DCode primarily focuses on achieving.

Harini

Partner and urban designer at studio DCode, Harini holds a Bachelors degree in architecture from The Madras University, India & Masters degree in Urban design from The University of Greenwich, UK. She has worked on various large scale master planning and urban renewal projects in India and abroad. Her exposure to sustainable practices in Auroville and the experience she has gathered there working with her mentors, has enabled her to use eco-friendly materials and sustainable building techniques while weaving contemporary design fabric. At the end of the day, she feels it is all about freedom of expression and drawing inspiration from things found in our own backyard!

Our Stars

Jayashri

Creative Director

A typical Chennaite who loves her filter coffee, there is no dull moment around her! Having done her architectural internship with us earlier in 2010, she has continued to be a part of our office team till date. Her experience from her practicing years has exposed her to various regional sustainable techniques which enables her to combine creativity & pragmatic sensibility. She loves nurturing pets, especially dogs.

Sam

Architect & Team Leader

Sam is our ‘go to’ guy for coming up with whacky concepts and creating beautiful presentations. His quiet and confident nature flows through his work and interaction with everyone around him. He is also an avid traveller and a successful YouTuber. Do look him up!

Lal

Architect & Team leader

Lal makes any task seem effortless. He thinks long and hard about evolving interesting concepts, and then blows one away with his beautiful sketches. He is a great sport and completes the team with his dependable nature and quiet presence.

Daniel Ajay

UI/UX Architect

Daniel and digital go hand-in-hand. He is the one stop solution to our website and online requirements. He works magic and makes sure our projects are updated in the digital world for people all around the globe to see. While we design spaces, he designs our virtual world!

Vikram

Associate Architect

Vikram is a thinker, professional photographer and a geek. His design concepts are strongly rooted in the context of a project and is driven by a strong passion to create quirky spaces. He shoots stunning photographs of all our finished spaces and currently spearheads two of our off-the-grid residential projects.

Vishnu Sivam

Associate Architect

Vishnu is an asset to our team, with his exposure to working in leading architectural practices and the hard work he puts in to reach his milestones. He pays attention to detailed design, but his true talent lies in bringing our designs to life with his project management skills. He is an avid plant lover & has an extensive collection of exotic plants in his garden.

In the Media

TedX Napier Bridge - Chennai, Aug 27, 2023

The Green Construction Playbook

Drawing from her extensive 15-year journey, Anupama, in conversation with Aafreen Fathima Kabir, architect and storyteller, unveiled a treasure trove of traditional constructior techniques rooted in alternative building materials and climate-conscious architecture.

By championing local labour and resources within a reasonable radius, she emphasised the authenticity of employing raw materials.

Watch full video

Indian Institute of Architects Chennai Chapter

Best Practising Young Architect from Chennai 2022-2023

Architect Harini received the Best Young Architect accolade from the Indian Institute of Architects, Chennai Chapter, acknowledging her notable contributions to the field in Chennai. The award ceremony took place on October 29th and was hosted by the IIA Salem Chapter, Tamil Nadu.

Best practising young architect from Chennai 2022-2023
Dezeen Awards 2021

Architecture studio of the year

Studio DCode has been longlisted in the architecture studio of the year category of Dezeen Awards 2021.

Studio DCode is a Chennai based inter-disciplinary design practice with a strong will to push boundaries in the field of architecture.

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Architecture studio of the year studiodcode - Dezeen 2021
Rethinking The Future

Sustainable city house By STUDIO DCODE

The project is a one of a kind city house that revolved around a specific requirement that was to design a spacious eco-friendly four bedroom house for a family of five in a plot that measured
40’ x 45’ nestled in a dense residential neighborhood.

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Rethinking The Future article studiodcode
Edex Live - The New Indian Express

This architect duo is building sustainable spaces using eco-friendly, traditional methods. Here's how

Studio Dcode, an eco-friendly architecture firm uses local labour, resources and more importantly, local arts and crafts in the homes, offices and other spaces they build. We find out how

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Edex live the indian express article studiodcode
The Better India

90% Recycled, Slashed Power Bills: Chennai Duo Builds Amazing Green Home Around a Tree!

“We did not want to import marble from Italy or wood from Brazil. We wanted to include local labour, local resources and more importantly, local arts and crafts in the homes we built.”

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Better india article studiodcode

Eyes on the canal - an open ideas competition

Our entry to the competition seen below that made it to the final top 28 shortlisted entries.

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