Built on Vision. Designed with Intent. Delivered with Heart.

Two Founders. One Foundation. One Story in the Making.

AD Studio9 is an architecture and interior design practice based in Bengaluru, founded in 2019 by Apoorva Lekha and Sandesh Dhanaraj — partners in life, design, and the occasional deadline rush. Their journey began with a shared vision, one meaningful conversation in 2018, and a desire to create spaces that feel personal, purposeful, and profoundly livable.

Sandesh had been in the industry since 2012, building a team driven by professionalism, quality, and clear execution. Apoorva, inspired by her mother’s design sensibilities, took a leap of faith to start her own practice without the “perfect” résumé — guided instead by passion, intuition, and intent. Their early collaboration quickly transformed into a deeper partnership, one where Apoorva leads the studio’s design thinking while Sandesh anchors technical delivery.

Together, they founded AD Studio9 — a firm that seamlessly integrates creativity and clarity. Their approach blends observation-led, user-first design with a deep respect for nature. Projects are shaped not just by form, but by the way light moves, wind flows, and people live. Every project begins with a structured yet intuitive process, starting with curated client questionnaires to uncover true needs and aspirations.

Their portfolio includes different scale and type of projects spanning residences, restaurants, workspaces, and renovations. From the earthy calm of The Balinese Anthology to the biophilic openness of their own studio, Akshara Vinyasa, every space tells a story. Recognised by Architectural Digest India , Elle decor and others, the studio continues to grow — now expanding into full-scale development with a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

For Apoorva and Sandesh, design isn’t just what they do. It’s who they are. And with each line they draw, they bring a bit more heart into the world.