In today’s design industry, creative brilliance alone doesn’t guarantee success. True market leaders combine vision with execution, artistry with business acumen. Contours — The Design Co. (CTDC), founded by Anand Mehta and Prashant Halankar in the early 2010s, is a prime example of this union.
From their base in Mumbai, the duo has transformed CTDC into a multi-award-winning, full-service design firm with a footprint spanning residential, commercial, institutional, and urban design projects. Their growth story isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces—it’s about building a respected, trusted brand in a competitive field.
Two Founders, One Philosophy
Both Anand and Prashant are alumni of Rachana Sansad’s School of Interior Design, but their strengths are strikingly different. Prashant is the strategist—focused, disciplined, and detail-driven. Anand is the visionary—creative, intuitive, and unafraid to experiment.
When they first collaborated on small projects, they quickly realised they shared not just a love for design but a mutual respect for each other’s strengths. From that understanding, CTDC was formed—a studio built on balance, where ideas are bold but always backed by precision.
Positioning in the Market
From the outset, CTDC sought to fill a gap: delivering high-concept design with equally high execution standards. Many firms could do one well, but few excelled at both. By positioning themselves as a one-stop solution—from concept to completion—they carved out a distinct competitive advantage.
Their context-first approach further strengthens their market identity. Each project responds to its site, its cultural environment, and its end users. Whether it’s a luxury villa, a corporate headquarters, or an educational institution, the design feels natural, intentional, and tailored.
Overcoming the Early Stage Hurdles
Launching a new studio in a city like Mumbai meant going up against established names. In the early years, the biggest challenge was earning trust—convincing clients to give them the kind of projects that could showcase their capabilities.
Their solution? Deliver excellence on every assignment, no matter how small. They treated each project as an opportunity to demonstrate attention to detail, client focus, and execution quality. As satisfied clients became ambassadors, referrals replaced cold calls, and CTDC’s reputation began to rise.
Key learning: in design, as in business, relationships are assets. Nurturing them creates long-term value.
Defining Project
A highlight in their portfolio is the 15,000 sq. ft. villa in Goa, where the client gave them complete creative freedom. The project became a benchmark for what CTDC could achieve when allowed to lead without restrictions—an open, flowing space that merges seamlessly with its natural surroundings while offering every modern comfort.
It also reinforced their belief that trust is the ultimate luxury in the client-designer relationship.
Sustainability and Technology as Strategic Imperatives
While many firms treat sustainability as an optional extra, CTDC has embedded it into its core process. Energy-efficient layouts, local sourcing, and long-lasting materials are standard, not add-ons. This approach isn’t just about environmental responsibility—it also aligns with evolving client expectations and future-proofs their designs.
Technology, too, plays an increasingly strategic role—whether in the form of integrated smart systems, adaptive lighting, or flexible space planning. The result is a portfolio that balances timeless aesthetics with future-ready functionality.
Leadership Lessons for Young Designers
For Anand and Prashant, entrepreneurship in design means staying true to your creative ethos while remaining adaptable to the market. They advise young architects and designers to listen intently—to clients, to spaces, to emerging trends—because design is as much about understanding people as it is about creating form.
They stress that success in this industry is built on consistency, integrity, and continuous learning. Design styles may evolve, but the commitment to delivering quality should remain constant.
The Next Chapter
Looking ahead, CTDC is poised for international expansion, aiming to take their philosophy of context-driven, detail-oriented design to a global audience. With a foundation built on partnership, trust, and a clear brand identity, the duo is ready to scale without losing the personal, client-focused approach that defines them.
From two ambitious graduates working on small projects to leaders of a studio recognised for its creativity and reliability, Contours — The Design Co. proves that in business, as in design, the strongest structures are those built on balance.
In a world where trends fade fast, Anand Mehta and Prashant Halankar aren’t chasing what’s next—they’re creating it.
Leave a comment