Apeksha Nagia, alongside her partner Rohit Surendra Nagia, has been a trailblazer in the interior design industry for over two decades. Graduates of the esteemed School of Architecture at CEPT, Ahmedabad, and the School of Interior Design at CEPT, Ahmedabad, their journey is a testament to passion, dedication, and innovation in creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also sustainable and functional.
Metricchant Design Attributes Pvt. Ltd. (MDAPL) was founded on April 28, 2001. The inception of MDAPL marked the beginning of a journey that would see the firm grow into one of the leading names in the interior design industry in India. What started as a modest venture with a capital investment of just ₹10,000 has now burgeoned into a thriving enterprise with a turnover of ₹85 lakhs. This remarkable growth is a testament to the vision and hard work of Apeksha and Rohit.
The duo has successfully completed over 590 high-end residences, farmhouses, housing and apartment schemes, factories, commercial retail spaces, commercial buildings, corporate offices, and co-working offices. Their designs prioritize sustainability, energy efficiency, and low maintenance. Rohit, a qualified GRIHA trainer and evaluator, ensures that their built forms adhere to these principles, while Apeksha’s approach integrates Indian art and crafts, along with a deep understanding of the users’ desires and lifestyles.
Their practice is deeply rooted in New Delhi, India, where they assist business owners in generating returns from their projects through sustainable and green design principles. Their commitment to sustainability means that their designs prioritize breathability, low maintenance, and self-reliance. This focus has not only made their projects stand out but also created a positive impact on the market and society.
Over the past two decades, MDAPL has delved into various design disciplines involving retail, residential, commercial, corporate offices, factories, and farmhouses. Luxury homes remain their prime forte, where they excel in creating spaces that are low maintenance, green, and high on luxury. Their unique approach to interior design involves delving deep into the “unsaid” requirements of their clients, understanding their real needs and desires, and creating spaces that nurture human relationships and promote positive growth.
One of their notable projects involved creating a sitar podium in a home, floating into the double-height family space, to rekindle the owner’s lost passion for playing the instrument. This level of personalization and attention to the emotional needs of their clients sets MDAPL apart from other design firms.
MDAPL’s USP lies in making each project green. Each project is analyzed for orientation, openings, oxygen content of spaces, ventilation, views, and human growth, making the project more humane and client-centric. Their future prospects are even greener, with a continuous focus on sustainability and researching new steps to enhance their green design principles. Their vision is to inspire people to be productive, purposeful, and at their creative best, contributing to making India shine and the world ecstatic.
Apeksha and Rohit’s journey into interior design began with their deep passion for creating livable, functional, and beautiful spaces. As a child, Apeksha was fascinated by the construction of her family’s new home. This fascination turned into a realization that a structure is only half the process, and interior designing completes it, making the building truly usable and livable. This early experience led her to pursue interior design at CEPT, where she met Rohit. Their shared dreams and aspirations gave birth to MDAPL.
Starting with a small project of a 600 sq. ft. saree showroom in Jaipur, their journey has been marked by numerous challenges and learning experiences. From facing difficulties in getting initial projects to dealing with client and contractor negotiations, they stuck to their ethics and ideals. Their first computer purchase, celebrating wins with a chocobar, and the decision to lose a project rather than compromise their values are fond memories that shaped their practice.
The essentials needed to start their business included office space, computers, the latest software, a dedicated team, and good clients. However, beyond infrastructure, they emphasize the importance of having a clear purpose, mission, and vision for the design practice. An open-minded approach, collaborative efforts, and ethical practices have been crucial to their success.
They believe that opportunities are everywhere and for everyone. As designers, they focus on creating value for their clients and spaces. Their upbringing played a significant role in shaping their professional journey. Rohit’s father taught him mechanical drawing, and a school teacher inspired him for sketching, developing his creative thinking. Apeksha’s diverse skills and understanding of various fields, from cooking to driving, mythology to psychology, have immensely benefited her professionally.
Their unique approach involves a detailed process starting from the first client meeting, site analysis, and deep communication with every family member who will occupy the space. This ensures that they understand the invisible, unsaid needs of their clients, resulting in highly satisfied clients and long-term relationships. Their meticulous planning and task delegation ensure that every promise is delivered, and nothing is missed.
Their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to identify the potentials of the site and predict future challenges for the client. Be simple, effective, sustainable, and creative. Innovation is key. Be the client to design for the client. This philosophy has been the cornerstone of MDAPL’s success, making them a revered name in the interior design industry.
Apeksha and Rohit’s journey with MDAPL is a shining example of how passion, dedication, and adherence to values can lead to remarkable success. Their commitment to sustainability, deep understanding of client needs, and innovative approach to design have set them apart in the industry. As they continue to inspire and create, the future of MDAPL looks greener and more promising than ever.
Awards Won by Metricchant Design Attributes Pvt. Ltd.
| Award | Date |
|---|---|
| Eldrok India Architecture Awards 2021 (Metricchant Design Associate) | 19-Feb-2021 |
| Eldrok India Architecture Awards 2021 (Rohit Nagia as Speaker) | 19-Feb-2021 |
| Time2Leap National Awards-MSME 2020-21 (Commercial Project of the Year) | 22-Jun-2021 |
| Time2Leap National Awards-MSME 2020-21 (Best Retail Project of the Year) | 22-Jun-2021 |
| Global Business Reconnect Nexion – Apeksha Nagia as Speaker at Architect Reconnect Summit | 27-May-2022 |
| Architects WOW Awards 2022 for Best Residential Spaces | 27-May-2022 |
| Architects WOW Awards 2022 for Best in Designing Temples and Farmhouses | 27-May-2022 |
| Fempreneur 2023 – Fempreneur Award-Interior Designer (Apeksha Nagia) | 08-Mar-2023 |
| Fempreneur 2023 – Experience the Power of Women Entrepreneurs | 08-Mar-2023 |
| Startup Growth Show – Eminent Speaker (Apeksha Nagia) | 07-Jan-2023 |
| Fempreneur 2023 – In the Talk Show Fempreneur Saturday | 25-Feb-2023 |
| Eldrok-HTL Aircon – IAA 2023 MDAPL (for Excellence in Redesigning Residential Spaces) | 12-Apr-2023 |
| Eldrok-HTL Aircon – Rohit Nagia as Eminent Speaker | 12-Apr-2023 |
| Time2Leap Awards – Best Apartment of the Year | 17-Apr-2023 |
| Time2Leap Awards – Best Upcoming Innovative Project of the Year | 17-Apr-2023 |
| Architects WOW Awards – MDAPL for Excellence in Designing Luxury Farmhouses | 28-Apr-2023 |
| Master Training in Tobacco Cessation (MTTC) | 13-15 Aug-2024 |
| Architect’s WOW Awards | 10-May-2024 |
| Won the Cover Page of “The CEO Magazine” June 2024 Edition | 01-Jun-2024 |
