About Me
I’m Kripa Anna Cherian—an architect, storyteller, and visual thinker exploring the delicate interplay between space, culture, and identity. My practice is grounded in creating soulful, detail-rich environments that speak to both function and feeling.
Currently based in Bangalore, I work at Thota Design House, where I lead design efforts for high-end residential, commercial, and institutional projects. With a strong foundation in both conceptual development and technical execution, I enjoy navigating the full arc of design—from ideation to client interaction, detailed drawings, and site execution. My background also includes curating artworks, designing furniture, and crafting spaces that feel poetic yet grounded.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Cochin University of Science and Technology, and my academic work has explored themes like light in contemplative spaces and the reimagining of public infrastructure as cultural thresholds. My curiosity has led me to workshops and masterclasses on parametric design, patterns in architecture, and speculative futures—reflecting my deep interest in design as both discipline and dialogue.
My Brand Vision
Through my creative lens, I seek to build a design language that is layered, lyrical, and rooted in context. My brand, expressed through personal projects like Kay, is an ongoing exploration of feminine power, intuitive aesthetics, and culturally nuanced storytelling. It is about romanticizing the everyday, celebrating the handmade, and embracing contradictions—structure and softness, nostalgia and futurism, quietude and drama. Whether designing spaces, zines, or visual narratives, I aim to create work that lingers—emotionally, sensorially, and intellectually. Architecture, to me, is not just about buildings—it’s about atmosphere, memory, and presence.
Gulbarga
Villa 01
Residence Design, 2023-2024 In collaboration with Thota Design
An ode to South Indian heritage—where tradition flows like grains of spice, stories are woven in earthy textures, and coconut-laden canopies whisper age-old wisdom. A celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and timeless beauty.
Gulbarga Residence
Residence Design, 2023-2024
In collaboration with Thota Design House
Nestled amidst the Gulbarga, this residence was designed as a testament to the enduring bond between a son and his mother, beckoning them back to their cherished hometown. Crafted with love and adorned with memories, this abode is a call back to a sanctuary of solace and nostalgia.
Drawing inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of Gulbarga, the design of this home intertwines tradition with modernity with wooden brackets, brick jallis and mud plaster. Brick screens adorn the façade, not merely as architectural elements but as guardians against the relentless heat, reminiscent of the sun-kissed streets of Gulbarga.
In response to the sweltering temperatures of Gulbarga, passive cooling methods permeate every corner of this dwelling. Courtyards, strategically positioned, serve as oasis of tranquility, offering respite from the scorching heat while fostering a deep sense of connection with the surrounding community.
I designed different iterations of brick screens which would work for the unique climate of Gulbarga as well as make the inhabitants feel connected to their roots. 3 different courtyards were also designed keeping water, earth and community in mind.
First Floor
Ground Floor
Sloping roof massing study for the residence
Previous iterations of the Gulbarga residence
Final design of Gulbarga Residence
Partial shape grammar of masonry screen walls, adapted from (Vazquez 2017)
Brick screens designed in Gulbarga residence
AD Villa 02
Residence Design, 2023-2024
In collaboration with Thota Design House
An Indo-Futurist vision where tradition morphs into the surreal. Metallic dreams, organic flows, and a future reimagined.
AD villa
Interior Design, 2024-2025
In collaboration with Thota Design House
In collaboration with Thota Design House, we designed a weekend villa on the outskirts of Bangalore for a childless couple whose lives are deeply intertwined with their close-knit joint family. Conceived as a second home and gathering space, the villa hosts lively family events and quiet retreats, and even includes an art studio for their prodigious young nephew—a rising painter.
The exterior is defined by bold contrasts: exposed brick walls paired with sleek black engineered wood panels. Inside, the mood shifts dramatically—blueish-green walls and laterite accents create a rich, immersive palette. The ground floor flows seamlessly into a vaulted dining room, designed as a warm hub for communal meals and celebrations.
Accents of red and green appear throughout the home— from the maroon and muted green kitchen to subtle details that bring energy and cohesion to each space. The first floor houses the couple’s private quarters in soft neutrals, along with the light-filled studio. The expansive terrace, finished in terracotta and green tones, features seating around a fireplace and a plunge pool—offering the perfect setting for quiet evenings and festive gatherings alike.
This villa is a celebration of family, art, and togetherness—crafted as a soulful escape that nurtures connection and creativity.
TERRACE FLOOR
VM Penthouse 03
Interior Design, 2024-2025
In collaboration with GNA
Design that ripens with meaning. A conservatory inspired by fruit—organic, luminous, and full of life. The rawness of earth, the softness of curves, and a quiet nostalgia that lingers in the details. A space where nature and heritage find harmony.
VM Penthouse
Interior Design, 2023-2024
In collaboration with GNA
In collaboration with Gayathri and Namith Architects, we had the privilege of designing a two-floor penthouse for the renowned singer Mr. Vijay Prakash. Perched atop a hill, the residence enjoys sweeping views of the city— most strikingly from a bespoke glass conservatory on the terrace. Designed as a space for hosting intimate gatherings and lively parties, the conservatory is flanked entirely with glass, crowned with a wallpapered ceiling, and adorned with cascading creepers that spill down gracefully from the upper balcony—blurring the line between indoors and out.
The interior palette throughout the home reflects a sense of quiet luxury—anchored in soft neutrals, subtle textures, and refined detailing. Vaulted false ceilings were thoughtfully designed to maintain generous headroom while adding dimension and elegance to the spaces.
Between the living and dining areas, a custom-designed console placed between two existing pillars acts as both a spatial divider and an aesthetic statement. It keeps the layout open and airy while offering a unique point of focus that subtly defines the zones. Elsewhere, intricately designed art screens offer a sculptural solution to separating entertainment spaces from private areas, enriching the home with both function and artistic flair.
This penthouse is a serene yet expressive sanctuary—an elevated composition of architecture, art, and soul, echoing the musical spirit of its celebrated resident.
Views inside conservatoy
Living, Bedroom, Master bathroom
Guest bedroom, Dining, Puja
Bathrooms of the apartment
04
MCA Clubhouse
Clubhouse Design, 2024-2025 In collaboration with GNA
Gathering, storytelling, lingering— India’s third spaces were once the heart of slow conversations and shared wisdom. Can we reclaim these spaces in a world that moves too fast?
MCA Clubhouse
Competition, 2024
In collaboration with Gayathri and Namith Architects
Rooted in the grandeur of Maharashtrian forts and the spirit of cricket, this 12-story clubhouse is a modern fortress of sport, culture, and community. Inspired by the rugged bastions of Sinhagad and Raigad, the structure features curved, layered facades of black basalt and laterite stone, evoking the strength and resilience of Maratha architecture.
At its heart lies a central courtyard, framed by contemporary terraces and infused with art— holographic cricket installations, Sudhir Patwardhaninspired murals, and sculptures that celebrate the game’s legacy. The interiors blend fort-like solidity with modern fluidity, using curvilinear parapets, stepped platforms, and open terraces to create dynamic spaces for players and visitors alike.
The clubhouse overlooks the domed stadium, its elevated running track weaving through treetops like a pathway through a historic stronghold. The VIP entrance, inspired by Ajanta and Ellora caves, welcomes guests into a realm where tradition and innovation merge. From training zones with immersive simulations to a floating museum showcasing cricket’s evolution, every element of this clubhouse is a testament to the game’s enduring legacy and Maharashtra’s architectural heritage.
This is not just a clubhouse—it is a sanctuary for champions, where history meets the future, and every player steps onto the field like a warrior entering battle.
Zoning for Maharashtra cricket stadium
Views of the running track
Views of the Clubhouse
Views of the training area
Views of the Cricket Museum
Vishra Residence
Residence Design, 2024-2025
In collaboration with Thota Design House
A space where elegance meets intrigue — koi swimming behind a sculpted headboard, soft lights above, and a goddess keeping secrets close. Design that invites curiosity, calm, and a little drama.
Vishra Residence
Interior Design, 2025
In collaboration with Thota Design House
It was a true honour to design the interiors for the first home of my mentors, Ar. Ranjini Shetty and Ar. Vishwas Hegde. Known for their quiet simplicity and refined sensibilities, their only wish was a home that felt timeless and deeply crafted—one that would reflect their shared life with warmth, care, and authenticity.
The design is rooted in a soft, neutral palette, where gentle curves wrap each wall, giving the space a sense of continuity and calm. Subtle, unexpected details delight the eye throughout—from handcrafted marquetry on the entry bench to a study table lined with red velvet drawers. Fabric art panels define the study, cleverly designed to open up and merge with the living area, transforming the space into something grand yet intimate.
Colour is used sparingly but with purpose— playful and artistic pops that reveal themselves slowly, like a story unfolding. At the far end of the apartment, framed by an arched entry, a dramatic, cosy dining nook glows under a striking light installation—one of many carefully curated moments.
Every corner of this home reflects intentionality and quiet joy, from custom carpeted floors in the study to curved bedroom walls that soften and elevate the experience of space. It’s a home that doesn’t shout—but invites you to pause, explore, and feel. A deeply personal, crafted sanctuary for two remarkable architects starting a new chapter together.
Kodi resort, Udupi
Interior Design, 2024-2025
In collaboration with GNA
Where the scent of wet earth meets the softness of pearls— a bath, a shrine, a return to self. In this tiled sanctum, the feminine rests, luxuriates, remembers.
— a quiet ode to indulgence shaped by heritage and ritual.
Kodi resort, Udupi
Interior Design, 2025
In collaboration with Gayathri and Namith Architects
This beachside resort in Udupi is a celebration of local culture and craft—drawing inspiration from tiger dances, fishing traditions, and regional materials to create a refined yet grounded retreat.
The resort includes a hotel lobby, banquet hall, beach café, yoga pavilion, and private stays. The lobby sets the tone with a dramatic timber ceiling, a tranquil water feature, and brass pendant lights reminiscent of coastal lanterns. Warm textures—rippling wood, sculptural furniture, and patterned stone flooring— blend artistry and comfort from the very first step.
Lantern-lit private walkways lead to suites inspired by traditional South Indian sit-outs. Each suite includes a foyer, living area, and bedroom. Ground-floor suites feature garden courtyards with bathtubs nestled among pebbles and plants, while upper-level suites open to balconies with sea-facing tubs. Even the compact luxury rooms feel expansive, with glass partitions that subtly divide bath spaces without disrupting flow.
Accents of terracotta and green run through the resort, culminating in a spacious terrace with a plunge pool and fireplace. Thoughtfully designed and culturally rich, the resort offers guests a stay full of quiet luxury, storytelling, and discovery.
