#OnTheCover In the realm of contemporary Indian architecture and design, Hardesh Chawla’s name resonates with innovation, elegance and a commitment to excellence

Hardesh Chawla is on a mission to reinvent India as a global luxury destination. “There’s an assumption that India cannot produce luxury in our segment. I’m here to challenge that notion,” he says. With the launch of Essentia Home, a logical extension of their design and build practice that spans more than two decades, Hardesh is poised to elevate the ‘Make in India’ narrative. The brand is a true reflection of his impeccable style and persona! Hardesh and his wife, Monica embarked on this journey while dealing with property investments in the late 90s. An MBA from INSEAD, France, Chawla has worked and lived in multiple countries. After successful stints in financial services and real estate, he decided to pursue his true calling of architecture and design. With over 1,000 projects to their credit, Essentia Environments has evolved from a design and build firm to a luxury destination for discerning consumers. From architectural consultation services to the manufacturing of bespoke furniture and décor accessories, Essentia offers a truly full service experience unlike any other in the country.

“We believe that beauty is not a luxury reserved for the privileged few, but a fundamental right for all. We understand that grace and elegance are not just ideals to aspire to, but essential elements woven into the fabric of our surroundings. With this philosophy at our core, we strive to fulfil the inner calling of those who seek to live artistically and inhabit spaces that enhance their sense of being,” says Chawla.

We sat down with the suave entrepreneur and creative visionary to discuss and understand his vision of luxury in India, and how he intends to change the narrative. Here’s an excerpt:

MAKE IN INDIA: CHANGING NARRATIVES

Seema Sreedharan (SS): Luxury is not new to India. In fact, we are the original proponents of luxury. However, in the past few decades, luxury in India has been equated to international
brands. There’s a prevalent trend in the luxury residences segment to seek out Italian brands, especially when it comes to furniture, lighting or accessories.

Hardesh Chawla (HC): True. This has been happening for a long time. When it comes to luxury, when it comes to the built space, all the high-end clients have been travelling to Europe to get products from there. And there is nothing wrong with it. We are a part of the global community, and I am all for trade and comparative advantage. However, the reason for this is skewed.

This trend has led to an assumption that India cannot produce luxury. I am personally trying to challenge that notion. The kind of skill, the kind of artisans we have, the multi-generational wealth of craftsmanship that we have access to, is inimitable. It is true that they don’t have the exposure, and it is not their fault.

For some reason, ‘Make in India’ often gets confused with making things cheaper. I do not think that is necessarily true, or that that should be the interpretation in the first place. I am personally committed to reversing the trade flow when it comes to high-end products. I’m rooting for a day, soon enough, where we will be sending our products back to Europe, not because they are cheaper, but because they are better. And that is the target we are setting for ourselves. Cost saving is not the criteria as of now, of course, there will come a time when we start focusing on that.
But right now, my unwavering focus is only on elevating the production quality to the best we can, both in terms of design as well as raw materials and workmanship. And I think we are very close to where we want to be.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE
SS: Your entire family is involved in the business. How do you maintain work-life balance? What is your dinner-time conversations like?

HC: My father is 86, he still comes to the office. My wife is the creative force behind the brand, my elder son Hridik is now helming Essentia Home, so our life is all about work. Dinnertime conversations invariably tend to be about work. We realised early on in our careers that the path we have chosen for ourselves requires our undivided commitment. Which leaves us with one option—make work your life, and people who work with you, your family.

THE DEFINITION OF LUXURY
SS: What does luxury mean to you?

HC: For us it’s about creating environments where aesthetics is not treated as a luxury. We not only strive for excellence in our curated designs, but also pay attention to imbuing a sense of understated elegance. Grace and grandeur are not just sentiments to look out for; they are embodied in all the things around us and should be reflected in our living environments as well.

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