vari0.us is a transdisciplinary design practice that fosters inquiry & interests
by cross-pollinating processes across Spatial, Product, and Identity Design.
Our approach wasn't born from a desire to be multidisciplinary, but from understanding that meaningful solutions to contemporary problems require fluid movement between scales, mediums, and methodologies.
We are an alternative architecture studio that thrives on collaboration with multidisciplinary experts. Our architectural roots enable us to approach challenges at both macro and micro levels, paying attention to details, workflows, and processes.
We are an alternative architecture studio that thrives on collaboration with multidisciplinary experts. Our architectural roots enable us to approach challenges at both macro and micro levels, paying attention to details, workflows, and processes.
This foundation allows us to balance technical precision with creative expression while employing [1]Parametric thinking, [2]Material intelligence, [3]Narrative experiences, and [4]Data-driven solutions across disciplines.
featured projects︎︎︎
📩 Write to us on mehta@vari0.us
vari0us emerged from a fundamental realization:
the most compelling solutions often exist at the intersection of disciplines.
Documented Projects cover the spectrum of Architecture & Interior Design, Product Design & Fabrication, Graphic Design, Web Design, Brand Identity & Communication Design, Exhibition Design, Installations Design, Type Design and Print Media.
OUR PHILOSOPHY OF DESIGN
At its core, vari0us operates on a simple premise:
design is not about creating isolated objects or experiences,
but rather about crafting systems of relations.
These systems function across three primary inquiries:
PRODUCT DESIGN ‘24
How can traditional craft methodologies inform industrial production?
Our product philosophy expresses values and beliefs through objects that are simultaneously functional and ornamental. Our products celebrate materials, experiences, identities, and fabrication processes – from digital to handcrafted.
The practice applies craft principles – mindfulness, material sensitivity, and attention to detail – to industrial production processes, creating products that maintain soul and character at scale. This approach has been refined through collaborations with both Indian and global manufacturers, developing methods that honor tradition while embracing technological advancement.
We focus on lifestyle products that exist as objects in space or accessories on the human body, often designed as modular systems that can adapt to various contexts while communicating deeper narratives.
Keywords: Furniture, Art collectibles, Apparel Collections, Merchandising, print media, Modular, Hyper Functional
How can traditional craft methodologies inform industrial production?
Our product philosophy expresses values and beliefs through objects that are simultaneously functional and ornamental. Our products celebrate materials, experiences, identities, and fabrication processes – from digital to handcrafted.
The practice applies craft principles – mindfulness, material sensitivity, and attention to detail – to industrial production processes, creating products that maintain soul and character at scale. This approach has been refined through collaborations with both Indian and global manufacturers, developing methods that honor tradition while embracing technological advancement.
We focus on lifestyle products that exist as objects in space or accessories on the human body, often designed as modular systems that can adapt to various contexts while communicating deeper narratives.
Keywords: Furniture, Art collectibles, Apparel Collections, Merchandising, print media, Modular, Hyper Functional
SPATIAL DESIGN ‘24
How can technology aid a labour intensive construction industry in India?
Our approach to spatial experiences uses data-driven computational design to organize and enhance traditional construction methods.
We focus on creating memorable experiences, functional programs, and meaningful interactions with space.
We use digital fabrication to complement analog craft methods, exploring various material processes across public spaces, hospitality, retail, events, and residential projects.
The web documentation includes work with studio 823 (2016–2017), studio tessera, and The Busride design studio (2018–2019).
Keywords: Public Spaces, Architecture, Interior Design & Decor, Installations, Events, Objects, and Spatial Experiences.
How can technology aid a labour intensive construction industry in India?
Our approach to spatial experiences uses data-driven computational design to organize and enhance traditional construction methods.
We focus on creating memorable experiences, functional programs, and meaningful interactions with space.
We use digital fabrication to complement analog craft methods, exploring various material processes across public spaces, hospitality, retail, events, and residential projects.
The web documentation includes work with studio 823 (2016–2017), studio tessera, and The Busride design studio (2018–2019).
Keywords: Public Spaces, Architecture, Interior Design & Decor, Installations, Events, Objects, and Spatial Experiences.
IDENTITY DESIGN ‘24
How can we create evolutionary brand systems while maintaining their core essence?
Our approach to identity design focuses on developing adaptable systems, that strategically create memorable experiences across physical and digital touchpoints. We establish a framework of values, rituals, feelings, and rules that can evolve and remain contextually relevant while preserving the brand's fundamental principles.
This process resembles world-building(similar to religions) – creating comprehensive belief systems that extend into print media, packaging, web experiences, and spatial environments.
Our projects span across engineering, technology, design-based services (B2B, B2G companies), cosmetic, apparel, hospitality, cannabis, and smoking paraphernalia brands (B2C, D2C).
Keywords: Packaging design, Web Design, Print media design, Brand Identity Design, Rebranding, Visual Communication.
How can we create evolutionary brand systems while maintaining their core essence?
Our approach to identity design focuses on developing adaptable systems, that strategically create memorable experiences across physical and digital touchpoints. We establish a framework of values, rituals, feelings, and rules that can evolve and remain contextually relevant while preserving the brand's fundamental principles.
This process resembles world-building(similar to religions) – creating comprehensive belief systems that extend into print media, packaging, web experiences, and spatial environments.
Our projects span across engineering, technology, design-based services (B2B, B2G companies), cosmetic, apparel, hospitality, cannabis, and smoking paraphernalia brands (B2C, D2C).
Keywords: Packaging design, Web Design, Print media design, Brand Identity Design, Rebranding, Visual Communication.
OUR VALUES
1. Meticulous
The way you do anything defines the way you do everything. We belong to the clan of Systematic Organised Chaos, treating every part of the project with equal care and attention. Quality begins with ethos – respecting our resources, processes, and tools as much as the final output. We are detail oriented and believe in slow growth, giving each element the time it deserves to develop properly.
The way you do anything defines the way you do everything. We belong to the clan of Systematic Organised Chaos, treating every part of the project with equal care and attention. Quality begins with ethos – respecting our resources, processes, and tools as much as the final output. We are detail oriented and believe in slow growth, giving each element the time it deserves to develop properly.
2. Process > Outcome
For us, the journey of realizing a project holds greater value than the input or final output. This mindset allows us to learn, grow, and contribute in the most innovative ways. We dive deep into internal and external research, following an iterative approach that explores every avenue to uncover insights that inform our process.
For us, the journey of realizing a project holds greater value than the input or final output. This mindset allows us to learn, grow, and contribute in the most innovative ways. We dive deep into internal and external research, following an iterative approach that explores every avenue to uncover insights that inform our process.
3. Technology & Innovation
While we cherish analog processes and creating with our hands, we're equally fascinated by innovations in technology and computational design systems. We give importance to workflows and tools that enable us to document, track, and calibrate our process, enhancing our creative outputs.
While we cherish analog processes and creating with our hands, we're equally fascinated by innovations in technology and computational design systems. We give importance to workflows and tools that enable us to document, track, and calibrate our process, enhancing our creative outputs.
4. Maker Culture
Making is meditative. We engage with craft through both labor-intensive construction practices and advanced fabrication technologies like 3D printing and CNC milling. Our understanding spans handwork, craft-based methods, and large-scale manufacturing processes. This hands-on approach ensures our designs respect the intelligence embedded in materials and methods.
Making is meditative. We engage with craft through both labor-intensive construction practices and advanced fabrication technologies like 3D printing and CNC milling. Our understanding spans handwork, craft-based methods, and large-scale manufacturing processes. This hands-on approach ensures our designs respect the intelligence embedded in materials and methods.
5. Systems Thinking
Strategizing our process in modules allows us to zoom between micro details and macro perspectives while enabling quick upgrades and troubleshooting. Our approach balances design thinking with systems thinking. We operate at the intersection of method and madness – using systematic frameworks that create space for intuition & improvisation. This balance allows structure and spontaneity to enhance rather than constrain each other, leading to solutions that perform beyond their primary function.
Strategizing our process in modules allows us to zoom between micro details and macro perspectives while enabling quick upgrades and troubleshooting. Our approach balances design thinking with systems thinking. We operate at the intersection of method and madness – using systematic frameworks that create space for intuition & improvisation. This balance allows structure and spontaneity to enhance rather than constrain each other, leading to solutions that perform beyond their primary function.
6. Hedonistic Sustainability
For us, sustainability enhances rather than restricts creativity. We view sustainability as an opportunity to create products and spaces that outperform their unsustainable counterparts. We consider the afterlife of all our projects, whether temporary or permanent, and transform construction waste into new functional and ornamental objects.
For us, sustainability enhances rather than restricts creativity. We view sustainability as an opportunity to create products and spaces that outperform their unsustainable counterparts. We consider the afterlife of all our projects, whether temporary or permanent, and transform construction waste into new functional and ornamental objects.
7. Open Source Design
Sharing is caring. Taking inspiration from the growth of the software industry, which thrived by sharing workflows and troubleshooting ideas, we approach design differently.
While the creative industry often functions insecurely with trade secrets, we believe in documenting and sharing our processes and learnings with the wider community.
Whether it's our resources, connections, tools, or workflows, we make them accessible to others, contributing to collective growth and innovation. This philosophy led us to create an open source design library with global participation.
Sharing is caring. Taking inspiration from the growth of the software industry, which thrived by sharing workflows and troubleshooting ideas, we approach design differently.
While the creative industry often functions insecurely with trade secrets, we believe in documenting and sharing our processes and learnings with the wider community.
Whether it's our resources, connections, tools, or workflows, we make them accessible to others, contributing to collective growth and innovation. This philosophy led us to create an open source design library with global participation.
8. Indian Context
Every problem has a unique, innovative solution in India – a land of diverse cultures, voices, and immense scope for improvement through design. We embrace this rich context in our approach to problem-solving, responding to its specific social, cultural, and environmental dimensions while engaging with global conversations about design's role in shaping better futures.
Every problem has a unique, innovative solution in India – a land of diverse cultures, voices, and immense scope for improvement through design. We embrace this rich context in our approach to problem-solving, responding to its specific social, cultural, and environmental dimensions while engaging with global conversations about design's role in shaping better futures.
OUR COLLABORATORS
Over the years, we've built long-term relationships with some brilliant minds across disciplines — collaborators who've helped shape our thinking, practice, and process.
Yash Gangwal [Venture Innovations]
Nayan Channiyara, Yogin Gajjar [Expirom]
Samir Raut, Siddhesh Kadam, Faizan Khatri [Studio 8:23]
Deepshika Jaiswal [The Drawing Studio]
Shiv Panjwani [Agilow, Panjwani Consulting Group]
Altamsh Sayed [Bombay SB]
Samantak Ray [Boston Consulting Group]
Arko Saha [Otherworlds]
Soil Soni [Openfields]
Advaita Kelkar, Sneha Desai, Nayan Mote
We continue to grow through dialogue, mutual respect, and shared vision.
OUR EXTENSIONS
vari0us operates independently while also extending our approach through two key initiatives:
ARC.HV® [est. 2020]
Our not-for-profit platform that brings creative communities together through collaborative projects. During COVID-19 lockdowns, we explored virtual spaces as creative mediums, resulting in India's first virtual art exhibit and an Open Source Design Library with global contributions.
Our not-for-profit platform that brings creative communities together through collaborative projects. During COVID-19 lockdowns, we explored virtual spaces as creative mediums, resulting in India's first virtual art exhibit and an Open Source Design Library with global contributions.
Urban Monkey [2021]
We've restructured the brand's identity, vision, and values toward greater cultural impact. We've evolved Urban Monkey's product development process with the aim of making quality design accessible and affordable for the masses in India while fostering a platform for creatives to innovate in lifestyle accessories.
We've restructured the brand's identity, vision, and values toward greater cultural impact. We've evolved Urban Monkey's product development process with the aim of making quality design accessible and affordable for the masses in India while fostering a platform for creatives to innovate in lifestyle accessories.
These extensions allow us to apply our principles across different scales and contexts while maintaining our independent practice.