Reimagining Indian artistry—inside Rooshad Shroff’s new gallery

Spotlighting exceptional design and art practices, Rooshad Shroff’s name is synonymous with bespoke interiors, furniture, and accents—constantly pushing beyond traditional architectural boundaries. A Cornell-Harvard alumnus, Shroff established his practice in Mumbai in 2011. Since then, he has co-designed the India In Fashion exhibit at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Convention Centre with Patrick Kinmoth, crafted the striking Maskara Residence in Worli, and designed the vibrant, carnivalesque window displays for the Hermès showroom. Over the past decade, Shroff’s eponymous studio has carved out a niche based on a philosophy of integrated design, blending modern aesthetics with Indian artisanal excellence and high-end luxury. Reflecting on his latest gallery space, Shroff shares, “We’ve been designing objects and furniture since 2012, so the idea of showcasing them has always been a priority, especially considering the limited number of design galleries in India. Our previous space at Horniman Circle functioned as both an office and gallery; although the display area was modest, it served as a valuable testing ground. From this small start, we gauged whether the concept resonated with our clientele, and the success of the last four years confirmed it. This led us to move to a larger space—one that not only highlights our work but also celebrates Indian craftsmanship.”

Collaborating with artisans across the country, Shroff advocates for the beauty of handmade products, investing significant time and effort into researching and experimenting with centuries-old techniques. His goal is to introduce innovative products and finishes through bespoke solutions. “Our approach usually starts with a furniture line as a test bed for craft focus, which then evolves into interiors and new techniques for finishes,” he explains. The Mumbai-based architect and designer believes that India’s wealth of artisan skills should be contemporised to align with today’s design language. Shroff’s keen eye for detail has made him one of the most trusted and sought-after names on the Indian design circuit. His new gallery, located in Mumbai’s scenic heritage quarter in a colonial building in Ballard Estate, perfectly reflects this elevated sense of taste. Read more in our exclusive conversation below:

Harper’s Bazaar: The gallery is set within Mumbai’s heritage quarter, housed in a colonial building in Ballard Estate—an area steeped in history. How did the architecture and setting influence the design narrative of the space and its collection?
Rooshad Shroff: In addition to the significantly larger space, the architectural beauty of the building is a bonus. It features high ceilings, hand-laid China mosaic flooring, and an abundance of natural light. To allow flexibility within the layout, we’ve installed three movable cantilevered walls, pivoted at the columns, which can rotate as needed.

HB: The gallery is located across from your studio, creating a seamless dialogue between design and exhibition. How does this proximity shape your vision for the space’s function—for both creation and display?
RS: The chief advantage is the convenience. The process from ideation to final product is more fluid, as the gallery is an extension of the studio. We can experiment, rearrange, and rework new designs, making the space a true reflection of our creative journey.

HB: How does your new furniture and accent collection push the boundaries of traditional artisan techniques while staying true to contemporary luxury?
RS: I often say, “Craft is the cornerstone of my practice.” As a studio, we’ve made it our mission to preserve, sustain, and advance every technique we use, relying on labour-intensive research and experimentation. There are often setbacks—for example, many of our marble lights cracked during the carving process—but once new ground is broken, the satisfaction is immense. For any craft to thrive, it must align with today’s design language; the contemporary aspect cannot be ignored.

HB: Can you share an example of a specific traditional craft that you’ve reimagined for today’s design landscape and the challenges that came with it?
RS: One of our earliest artisanal experiments involved embroidery on wood. Despite the stark contrast between the two materials, we successfully paired them using an innovative approach. The challenges were significant; a single panel involved more than 4,000 hand-drilled holes at 1/8th spacing, which were then upholstered with zardozi. Each piece took several hundred man-hours from start to finish.

HB: Beyond showcasing furniture and accents, what kind of experience do you want visitors to have when they step into Gallery ROOSHADSHROFF?
RS: I want visitors to gain an understanding of the challenges and demands of traditional artisanry. It’s one thing to admire a design, but true respect for a craft and its creator comes from recognising the painstaking origins and time it takes to complete. In addition to our collections, the gallery also features select embroidered artworks from the Art Residency initiative at Lucknow’s Kalhath Institute.

HB: According to you, what are some standout pieces from your latest collection that best represent your design ethos?
RS: As we launched our new space, we wanted to showcase some of our earliest works, such as the C-Series range of furniture, alongside the latest pieces from our new Balance collection. The focus is mainly on the latter, particularly the new pieces introduced after the collection’s initial launch, which are primarily crafted from travertine, as opposed to the onyx used in the first edition of Balance.

HB: Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the gallery? Is this gallery envisioned purely as an exhibition space, or do you see it evolving into a hub for collaborations, limited-edition releases, or interdisciplinary dialogues in design?
RS: The studio frequently collaborates with other designers and artists, showcasing some of our limited-edition signature objects. So yes, the gallery is designed to be adaptable. As a studio, we take pride in working across the design spectrum, and we’re fortunate not to be pigeonholed into any one category. So, if the opportunity arises, we’ll definitely explore that.

 

Photographs: Gallery ROOSHADSHROFF

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