Design Mumbai 2025 has unveiled the themes and headline speakers for Design Mumbai Exchange, its talks programme running across three days from 27-29 November 2025 (VIP preview on 26 November). The programme brings together an international line-up of architects, designers, and thought leaders alongside India’s most influential industry voices.
The programme prioritises cross-cultural dialogue, interrogating what it means to design in the context of today’s global and regional challenges. From reimagining workplaces and coastlines to exploring modern conceptions of hospitality, Design Mumbai Exchange reflects the breadth and dynamism of the international design community.
Manufacturing, Craft, and Culture
A panel discussion examines the intersection of manufacturing, craft, and culture, featuring Australian designer Adam Markowitz, Deepak Srinath of Phantom Hands, Roderick Wiles from the American Hardwood Export Council, and Luke Hayward of Sydney and Osaka-based Atelier Luke. This session forms part of a broader delegation from the Australian Institute of Architects.
Workplace Design Series
Harsha Kotak, founder of Women in Office Design and the Sustainable Design Collective, curates a series of panels on workplace design. Sessions cover climate-responsive workplaces and transparency in sustainable workplace design, featuring Pinakin Patel, Roshni Karekar of SJK Architects, Joanna Knight, and Johan Lindau of Blå Station. An additional session explores how workspaces designed for freelancers, makers, and start-ups thrive as the world adopts co-working culture, including Ankit Kamboj of Broadway Malyan and Malay Doshi of Studio Saransh.
Keynote: Site-Specific Architecture
Vinu Daniel, Principal Architect of Wallmakers, delivers a keynote address moderated by Cameron Bruhn, CEO of the Australian Institute of Architects. Wallmakers specialises in site-specific buildings responding to unusual conditions, including the subterranean Chuzhi House built with earth and debris, and the Toy Storey residence using discarded toys for walls.
Sustainable Materials and New Minimalism
A panel explores the emerging trend of reimagined minimalism with Ekta Parekh of reD Architects and Kumpal Vaid of Purple Backyard. London-based designer, consultant, and lecturer Chris Lefteri leads a showcase and discussion on new, sustainable, and intelligent materials.
Hospitality Conversations
Various discussions on hospitality include a panel featuring Lucas Muñoz Muñoz, award-winning Spanish designer and creator of Design Mumbai’s café in collaboration with THE Park Hotels, on cutting through an experience-saturated world. Muñoz joins leading voices including Priya Paul, Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, and Sunita Kohli of K2India.
Resilient Coastlines
Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu of London-based practice Tonkin Liu discuss reimagining resilient coastlines in cities vulnerable to rising sea levels, intense storms, and river floods. They are joined by Mumbai-based Nandini Sampat of Somaya Sampat and Dhaka-based Saiqa Iqbal, director of Studio Morphogenesis Ltd. Dezeen editor Tom Ravenscroft moderates the panel.
Quality of Life and Citizen Engagement
Manijeh Verghese, CEO of Open City, leads a panel on quality of life and citizen engagement in the built environment. Open City is a charity committed to making cities more open, equitable, and accessible. Verghese is joined by Ananya Singhal of Studio Saar, Soumitro Ghosh of Mathew & Ghosh, Jennifer Nichols of Australian Institute of Architecture, and Goa-based architect and activist Tallulah d’Silva.
Fr the full line up, check out designmumbai.com/programme-2025/
Cover image: Linus Lopez and Felipe Sánchez Luna discuss lighting
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
