Princess Adishree Singh and Akshat Dhawan combine heritage, nature and cutting-edge material science to tackle the climate crisis

A few days ago, I found myself navigating an unfamiliar (for me) corner of Delhi—Vasant Kunj. The road was surrounded by greens on both sides, it almost felt like a departure from the city’s infamous chaos. I was en route to meet Princess Adishree Singh and Akshat Dhawan, founders of Reformary, a duo I had only recently discovered at an event. Until then, their names and their groundbreaking work had eluded me, a realisation that left me faintly embarrassed as I delved into their story. How had I missed these remarkable yet unassuming individuals? Their illustrious backgrounds—Adishree’s deep affinity for design and Akshat’s engineering prowess—serve as mere footnotes to Reformary, a venture driven by a noble purpose: safeguarding our planet through eco-conscious consumption and sustainable materials that prioritise harmony over harm.

The interview unfolded at Adishree’s home, a space so grand it felt like stepping into her familial abode in Jammu and Kashmir. Surrounded by photographs of her distinguished family and art that transformed her living room into a gallery, I was instantly captivated. Then Akshat arrived, his breadth of knowledge on topics from geopolitics to design spinning my head in the best way possible—an engineer-turned-designer with a global perspective. Meeting in this setting, I couldn’t help but wonder: with their prosperous, well-travelled lives, what drew them to Reformary and the mission of sustainable design?

In the interview that follows, Adishree and Akshat reveal the roots of their journey—childhoods steeped in nature, heritage, and creativity—and the birth of Reformary from a shared passion for affordable housing and healthier materials. They unveil exciting innovations, like agricultural waste-based premixes tailored to India’s diverse regions and explore material science’s critical role in combating the climate crisis.

We also dive into the challenges of affordability and awareness in construction, their inspiring collaborations with local communities, and the striking contrast yet perfect synergy of their personalities— Adishree’s reflective depth complementing Akshat’s pragmatic vision. By the end, my initial impressions had shifted, as I suspect yours will too. If, like me, you were unaware of their existence until now, consider that a quiet shame worth remedying. Their vision? A world of breathable, natural homes that honour both heritage and ecology. Read on to discover how these changemakers are redefining sustainability, one thoughtful innovation at a time.

Could you share a bit about your early years and upbringing? Were there specific moments or influences that shaped your perspective on design and sustainability?
Akshat Dhawan: I was born in Srinagar, but my family moved to Delhi. My upbringing was a mix of city life and reconnecting with Kashmir, especially during summer vacations. Some of my most cherished childhood memories are with my grandmother, particularly in how she prepared for winter—fermenting foods, making pickles, and following traditions that were deeply tied to sustainability. My parents also exposed me to the performing arts early on, which shaped my understanding of human interactions and space.

Adishree Singh: My father was a cabinet minister in the J&K government from 1996-2001 so I spent my summer holidays in Srinagar. We had an incredible art teacher who would teach us under a magnolia tree —learning observation design in nature profoundly influenced how I see the world today, inspiring Reformary’s tagline, “inspired by nature, biomimicry in life.” Understanding the cyclical nature of life—creation and
destruction—has always stayed with me.

Growing up, what role did creativity and design play in your life? Were there family traditions or experiences that inspired your journey?
Adishree: Creativity was deeply woven into my childhood, shaped by the rich tapestry of my family’s multicultural roots — my mother’s Maharashtrian, Pathan, and Punjabi heritage and my father’s Dogra and Nepalese influences. Growing up, I was surrounded by stories, traditions and celebrations that naturally blended into our daily lives. Music, art and food were central to this. This connection to diverse cultures and the opportunity to engage with artisan communities shaped my creative instincts and sense of design.

Akshat: Theatre was my creative outlet early on—it taught me how humans connect with their surroundings, which later influenced my design perspective. Family traditions around food and music, especially from Kashmir, stuck with me. My parents’ encouragement of performance arts gave me a lens to see design as more than aesthetics—it’s about interaction and experience.

Who or what are your biggest inspirations—be it people, places, or philosophies—that shape your design approach?
Adishree: My family is a huge inspiration, but places like Jammu and Srinagar shaped me deeply. In Jammu, the Amar Mahal Museum and stories from Professor Wakhloo about our heritage instilled a sense of custodianship. New York, where I studied, brought a dynamic contrast—learning art history and then walking past those very buildings was exhilarating. My philosophy blends legacy with fresh perspectives, balancing what I inherit with what I can create.

Akshat: Cities like Srinagar, Delhi, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Jodhpur have inspired me—each humbles you in its own way. Delhi’s facelessness, LA’s desert proximity, and Jodhpur’s vibrant resilience against harsh terrain fascinate me. Philosophically, I admire Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s pragmatic, traditional-yetmathematical approach—valuing ancestral wisdom over pure data. As an engineer turned designer, I lean on problem-solving, often refined by Adishree’s deeper insights.

Do you recall your first encounter with the world of design? Perhaps a project, travel experience, or material that left a lasting impression?
Adishree: Art was always part of my life—summer lessons with Sajjad Sir outdoors were formative. But my formal encounter came when applying to Parsons, where digital design was emerging. I loved bridging tangible crafts with software, finding synergy between analogue and digital. That balance still drives me.

Akshat: I stumbled into design through engineering. At my first job, I explored 3D modeling and ergonomics in automobile design. Working with materials—metal, wood, anything moldable—opened my eyes to design’s impact. I didn’t train for it, but I was always being shaped into a designer without realising it.

Outside of your professional pursuits, what are your personal passions, and do they influence your design sensibilities?
Adishree: Travelling is a major passion—it opens me to cultures, cuisines, and conversations. Recently, in Bali, I was struck by water temples and their harmony with local communities. Observing raw nature and heritage buildings inspires me to design with respect for the planet and its people.

Akshat: I’ve been diving into geopolitics lately—it helps me see design’s role in broader systems like policy and climate change. I also explore a spiritual side—not religious, but a mindful awareness through breathing and observation. It keeps me grounded and connected to our planet-first mission.

How did the idea of Reformary originate, and what inspired you to establish it as a research and design lab for sustainable materials?
Adishree: Akshat and I met in 2017 while collaborating on an exhibit called Mindscapes. We quickly realized that we shared a lot of common interests and would often talk about how there’s so much room to blend design and technology to create better urban systems. That thinking led me to approach Akshat about my parents’ school in Jammu — we wanted both the building and the curriculum to allow children to interact with the natural world while learning about it in their classrooms. As we started deep diving into solutions, we realized that we should start a company that truly embodied that ethos.

Akshat: Adishree was passionate about building green material depots, while I worked on prefabricated homes using natural materials after returning back to India from the States. We connected over affordable housing solutions, as global populations would reach 12 billion people by 2035. While prototyping our first prefabricated building, we realised healthy materials and their supply chain were the root issue—sustainability isn’t a patch, it’s how we live.

Our first chat about a better CPU evolved into Reformary’s focus on conscious design and material innovation. Can you share some specific innovations in construction or packaging materials that Reformary has developed or is currently working on?
Adishree: We’re working on developing an evergrowing material library comprising over 150 biomaterials. Each material in the library is at a different stage ranging from R&D to manufacturing to us building robust supply chains. Our recent incubation by Shriram Institute of Industrial Research is helping us strengthen our formulations and Intellectual property to standardise with green building codes and certifications.

Akshat: Our approach is micro-level—no one-size-fits-all. We adapt formulations to fit specific regions and communities, turning waste into wealth. It’s about creating a range of products that work with India’s agrarian backbone—60% farmers—and empower them economically.

What role does material science play in addressing the climate crisis, and how does Reformary envision its impact on industries like construction and manufacturing?
Akshat: Material science is key—design starts with form, function, and materials. Today, we’re limited by what’s available, like abundant plastics. New materials birth new designs. We push circularity—cradleto-cradle lifecycles ensuring materials decompose or gain second lives. Solving this impacts climate change by rethinking supply chains
and waste. It’s not rocket science, just logic.

Adishree: It’s about interdisciplinary teams—designers, scientists, legal, marketing—working together. We need a planet-first mindset, not human-first. If it’s good for the planet, it’s good for us. Waste is gold; upcycling it shifts industries like construction toward sustainability.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing material challenges in the construction industry today, and how is Reformary tackling them?
Adishree: Affordability and awareness are huge. Cheap, toxic materials dominate because budgets override planet first choices. We train applicators—like painters—on healthier options like cow dung or lime plasters. They now feel better working with them and share that narrative, spreading awareness organically.

Akshat: Breathability is the challenge—homes should nourish like food or clothing. Toxic, cheap materials block that. We’re patient, showing people through conversation that natural materials improve life. It’s not a hurdle, just a matter of time.

Reformary works with academia, industry, and local communities. Could you share a memorable collaboration and its outcomes?
Adishree: One of our most rewarding collaborations has been with our carpenter, Manoj bhaiya. Initially, he was skeptical about alternative materials, but as he revisited childhood memories of homes built with natural materials, he became an advocate for using lime based and cow dung-based plasters. Seeing him pass this knowledge on to other workers has been incredibly fulfilling.

Akshat: Working with farmer groups in Jammu, like paddy planters, we’re showing them their ancestors’ ways—mud homes, small-batch farming—are superior. It’s a movement to turn waste into income, building wealth and pride through conversation, not force.

How do you envision educating and empowering local communities to contribute to a more sustainable material ecosystem?
Akshat: It’s about patience and dialogue—convincing communities their traditional methods, like cow dung plasters, outshine toxic paints, due to antifungal properties and health benefits. We’re creating economic opportunities, like upcycling agricultural and textile waste, so farmers and communities thrive sustainably.

Adishree: We empower by valuing their lived experiences—mud homes aren’t backward, they’re better. Storytelling, like old Nukkad Nataks, bridges gaps, making sustainability relatable and inclusive across generations and cultures.

What does a sustainable material world look like to you, and how close do you think we are to achieving it?
Akshat: A sustainable world prioritises breathable, non-toxic materials. It’s not about constant innovation but rather about conscious decision-making—returning to natural, time-tested methods of construction and production.

Adishree: It’s also about policy change. Sustainability cannot exist in silos; governments, industries, and communities need to align. The shift from a human-first to a planet-first approach is necessary for long-term success.

As a changemaker in this space, what advice would you offer designers, architects, and businesses to accelerate sustainable transformations?
Adishree: Talk more—reach out, collaborate, ask questions. At Reformary, we’re open to sharing our journey or piloting projects. Conversations with experts have kept us agile and innovative—don’t be rigid, learn together.

Akshat: Shift to planet-first thinking—it’s basic but transformative. Use waste, rethink materials, and push policy. Designers can’t do it alone; it’s a collective effort with communities and governments.

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