IRD Design

IRD believes that design, at its zenith, is a powerful and practical blend of both concept and ex*****on. In this world, ideas are aplenty.

Bringing ideas to life however, takes expertise and a commitment to collaboration as well as seeing things through...on time and on budget. This mindset drives the work and client relationships IRD has proudly built over the past ten years, and it will continue to inspire our design work going forward. We hope, in turn, that our completed projects inspire, and make the world just a little bit more interesting for all.

17/02/2026

Good architecture performs. Great architecture performs and inspires.

Acrylic does both. It’s come a long way as a replacement for glass, and today drives some of the most expressive designs.

Decades ago, it was simply a shatter-resistant alternative to glass; now it’s a primary driver of expressive architecture.

It’s easy to maintain, fully recyclable and versatile – and that’s why it shows up in so many of our designs.

03/02/2026

Glass has been shaping the way humans design and build for thousands of years – from the first ancient handmade beads to today’s high-performance skyscraper facades.

Today, this versatile material offers so much more than transparent window panes. Think textured surfaces, stained panels, glass bricks, sculptural lighting and bold structural elements, all bringing light and interest to buildings.

Glass also plays a growing role in sustainable design, through recycled materials, energy-efficient coatings and smart glazing, and long-lasting products that support greener living.

At IRD Design, we love using glass creatively and innovatively to shape interior architecture and experiential spaces.

Here’s a glimpse of what we do.

06/01/2026

At IRD Design, we support every phase of development, creating spaces that are purposeful, cohesive, and built to last.

Our work spans industries and geographies, but the intention is always the same: design that goes beyond aesthetics. Spaces that create experiences. Spaces that bring people together.

Thoughtful design meets practical elegance, and that philosophy guides the work we do, and reminds us exactly why we love what we do.

20/05/2024

"Unwrapping Design Consciousness" series!
Led by Indu Varanasi, founder of IRD, this series will explore design thinking and its profound impact on the way we create for the built environment.
"Design is the encompassing of different physical and emotional solutions for our complex reality of today. Amidst the complexities of our modern era, where design serves as a multifaceted solution to an array of challenges, a significant shift is unfolding—a transition towards what we term 'Design Consciousness.'"

Knowingly or unknowingly, we 'design' every part of our lives.

Join us as we unwrap the layers of design consciousness together, acknowledging the interconnectedness of our actions within the intricate tapestry of humanity and the environment.
Follow IRD for updates and join us as we unwrap the layers of design consciousness together.

21/11/2022

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT | In today's post, we introduce KAVAK, a one-of-a-kind retail destination for pre-owned cars. So, what’s a better way to showcase the products than in a parking lot with 400+ vehicles?

Located in Dubai Festival Plaza, the Kavak store spans over 1,000 sqm while the cars are showcased over two floors in a parking lot.

As appointed interior architects and project managers, the Kavak store has been one of the most exciting, yet challenging projects we completed in recent years.

Given the agility of their business, the client wanted 70% of the store to be reused if relocation is required. Creating for reuse is more challenging than most people realise. It's not simply circular reuse, which manufacturers promote; it's reuse within our own circle.

The entire store, floor, ceiling, walls, glazing, and cabins are designed to fit into a 60x60 cm grid. Different materials require different interfaces.

While creating an impactful customer journey, the design concept required a deeper understanding of client needs, business objectives and vision.

We intentionally design the store so that you walk through different areas that are distinct in colours, textures, lighting and sounds.

Our job as designers and architects was to understand the importance of their purchase and how the overall spatial experience, coupled with the product and service, can culminate in the sale of that product.

Playing with hard glossy surfaces in brightly lit areas, contrasting them with moody and dark areas that feature multi-media screens, and leading to comfortable lounges is a great way to build anticipation and induce relaxation.

12/09/2022

“Knowledge is like wine. It just gets better with time.” Indu reminded me of this one day when my confidence went down. And she was right. I just needed refreshing and some patience - Biljana Gajic, architect

Biljana is an architect, by training and by heart. After taking a break from work to take care of her family, Biljana eventually started introducing herself as someone who “used to be an architect”.

Biljana was among the first women to actively take part in our “Re-Join” programme. This is her story…

Email us at [email protected] with a brief of what you think you would like to do to 're-join'

27/05/2022

We can all agree that the definition of shaping the space lies in the hands of the designer/architect.

A design that incorporates art as an integral part in creating an environment that is stimulating for both employees and visitors.

Art may or may not be part of the CSR budget but the direction in budgeting should be given consideration by the client.

Are there ways to win the budget battle with clients and bring in professional art consultants early in the process? As designers, how can we help the client visualize his future space without having to copy images from Pinterest?

These are just some of the questions I discussed with , Anna De Florian and .mrdjen during the panel discussion “Art in commercial spaces: Contextual? Or costly?”, part of this year’s Work Design Summit

17/03/2022

Looking forward to presenting and speaking at the upcoming panel discussion hosted by , in partnership with Politecnico di Milano and Regione Lombardia.

I will be sharing my personal experience in a presentation titled "Design collaboration between the studios for exchange of knowledge".

Together with other panellists, we will be exploring the creating connections between Dubai and Milan, two design capitals in the Middle East and Europe.

The two cities, one as the city of the future and the other as the city of design and culture, share strong ties through education programs, business activities, and important global events.

The physical event will take place on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 at 4:00 pm at Intercontinental Dubai Marina, followed by a networking cocktail and you can also attend it online.

The round table will be introduced by Matteo Ingaramo, CEO of POLI.design, and Paola Galdi, Head of International Affairs of POLI.design, and moderated by Marina Mrdjen, founder of Intelier, with the following speakers:

Annamaria Lambri, Associate Professor of Interior Design and Outreach Coordinator – Interior Design Department, Architect, American University in Dubai

Tadeu Baldani Caravieri, Director at Global Grad Show

Valentina Cereda, founder of Energy & Space

There are a limited number of seats available, so if you're interested, please register via the link in the comment section.

08/03/2022

In order to , we must take actionable steps toward supporting and empowering women. As women designers and business owners, it is our responsibility to be the change.

Thank you for spreading word of the Re-join initiative and amplifying our voices.

Many women in the region and around the world quit architecture and design careers to raise children, care for elderly relatives, and for other reasons. It can be challenging for them to return to work after being out of work for years because recruiters look down on their gap years.

So, how do we encourage women architects and designers to return to work after taking a career break? Re-join stemmed from that question and I’m hoping that the initiative will inspire other industry stakeholders to follow or take similar action. Read full article, link in bio.

What are you doing in your company to ?

Happy International Women's Day!

22/02/2022

Thank you Design Awards for giving me this opportunity to see the vast and untapped talent of the region; to see the great work of designers and architects who work hard to make a difference.

As an unbiased platform for recognising the importance of the industry, Index Design Awards is the right step in the direction of international recognition.

I wish you all good luck and look forward to reviewing your entries.

28/01/2022

THE GOLDEN VISA We have great news to share. Our founder, Indu Varanasi, is among the first interior architects and design leaders to be awarded a prestigious UAE Golden Visa in the creative sector.

“I feel honoured that the Emirates government has recognised the importance of interior architecture among other creative industries," says Indu Varanasi after receiving the Golden Visa status. “On a personal note, this recognition is dedicated to both my younger self who dared to venture out on her own 18 years ago and to all the designers and business leaders who are shaping the creative landscape of this country each day.”
Besides her near two-decade contribution to the UAE's design landscape, Indu has also been recognised for her continuous support of women in creative industries.

Celebrating the "Year of Tolerance" back in 2018, Indu curated “HERstory” a cross-cultural exhibition celebrating 10 women and their inspiring stories and deeds. This collaborative project with Anna Barbara, professor at Politecnico di Milano, was held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Culture, and in partnership with the Women's Museum in Dubai and Dr Rafia Obaid Ghubash.

Read full story on
Link in bio 👆

19/01/2022

ADAPTIVE REUSE | As a result of the earth and climate change phenomena, we need to adapt the ways in which we use buildings
SUSTAIN and make the best of what we have, REVIEW it, and RECHARGE it!

The adaptive reuse of vacant properties can be a viable method to transform them into valuable properties. When a repurposed building can benefit from the existing layout and services, repurposing is more profitable. With more changes needed, the project becomes more expensive.

Commercial space demand changed as a result of the use of e-commerce and remote collaboration during COVID-19. Since companies expanding online need warehouses and data centers, vacated retail spaces can be turned into these types of facilities.

Alternatively, we’ve seen hotel rooms being converted into apartments or offices, which can be rented daily.
In addition to the overall cost savings and tax benefits in certain countries, reusing a building is also environmentally sustainable and can help developers save money as well.

In order to successfully repurpose a vacant building, it's best to hire an experienced architect or design firm early on. As part of IR Design, we can provide recommendations and feasibility studies on adaptive reuse, weighing pros and cons.

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http://www.irdesign.co/

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