Decoding the Purru factor

Kushagra also talks to the clients about their travel experiences. Knowing where they have been and why and what stayed with them after returning really helps him decode the lifestyle and emotional needs of the clients he is designing for. He creates an emotional moodboard that helps him separate the layers of personalities that he would be working with while designing their spaces. Once that layer is segregated and understood, it’s much easier to translate the same into spatial decisions. It’s almost as if he is personifying spaces for the respective owners. 

This sensitivity is most evident in Purru’s treatment of transitional spaces: terraces, balconies and backyards. These spaces have become the studio’s signature. In dense cities like Pune and Mumbai, Kushagra sees these in-between zones as vital breathing rooms. Not styled replicas of cafés, but sanctuaries shaped by greenery, warm lighting, tactile materials and a sense of enclosure. Spaces where one can step away without stepping out. “When people don’t feel the need to leave home to feel good, design has done its job,” he notes. Restraint, too, plays a powerful role in his philosophy. It’s all about holding experience rather than mere trendy aesthetics. What helps one unwind is the space they build around themselves. This is the reason Kushagra inculcates greenery, natural light and fresh air into the design of the home. “Over time, clients often tell me they use their homes differently, mornings feel easier, evenings feel calmer, and moments of rest feel more intentional. When a home supports both the body and the mind, it begins to influence how people think, feel, and show up in their daily lives. That’s when design moves beyond aesthetics and starts creating real, lasting change,” he exclaims.  

A recently redesigned backyard in a 60-year-old bungalow stands as proof. This was designed for someone deeply involved in wellness yet never had the space to truly practise it. The idea here was to create a space that invites slowing down. Instead of layering on elements, Kushagra chose to do less. He opened up the once abandoned space, allowing it to breathe, letting nature lead. What was once forgotten became the emotional centre of the home, hosting wellness rituals and evening conversations. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful design decision is knowing when to stop. 

The modern Indian terrace 

A double-height, 500 sq ft terrace becomes a study in modern Indian expression under Purru’s hand. Patterned Spanish tiles in deep indigo and ochre replace conventional decking, setting a vibrant yet grounded base. Antique accents like a brass Krishna on a custom pedestal, traditional samais, and wrought-iron chandeliers suspended from brass chains introduce a sense of continuity and memory. A teakwood daybed anchors the space, while hand-painted pillars, Tikri art and oversized mirrors layer depth and light. Lush greenery lines the edges, ensuring the terrace feels less like an extension of daily life.

Inside the royal canopy 

In Pune, a terrace unfolds as a richly layered outdoor living room anchored by a white tensile gazebo. Sheer curtains soften the space, while a mix of swings, benches and carved tables balance comfort with character. A vivid orange wall sets the stage for a monochrome-tiled bar, creating visual drama without overwhelming the setting. Elsewhere, a tiled-roof study lounge houses global finds from a vintage Turkish rug to South African wooden art, offering retreat within openness. Fruit trees, flowering plants and palms weave nature into the architecture, making greenery feel integral rather than ornamental.

About Vasant Vatika 

At Vasant Vatika, the terrace is imagined as a culturally resonant landscape shaped by careful zoning. A carved wooden gazebo with benches and a swing forms the social heart, layered with printed textiles and lit by a chandelier. Beyond it, gentler pockets unfold like a tea table beside a sculptural water fountain, a compact tiled bar subtly tucked away. Mustard and indigo walls frame the space, while patterned tiles, terracotta, wood and stone create material warmth. Spiritual motifs and playful details coexist with lush planting, resulting in a terrace equally attuned to solitude and gathering.

Ultimately, the “Purru factor” is about the courage to prioritise feeling over finish, life over likes. Kushagra hopes that those who inhabit his spaces feel an immediate sense of ease with permission to slow down, to be present and to feel connected. To their homes, to nature and to themselves.

Learn more: https://purru.in/