Meet Sandeep Dhole

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandeep Dhole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandeep, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
“For me, freedom is everything. Starting my own business wasn’t just about working for myself—it was about having the freedom to choose projects that matter. I saw a chance to make the world more beautiful and sustainable by designing with natural materials. Every building I create is a step toward a balanced ecosystem and a healthier planet. It’s deeply fulfilling to do what I love while making a positive difference.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I take pride in creating architecture that feels alive—built with natural, sustainable materials and rooted in vernacular wisdom. My work is about more than just constructing walls; it’s about crafting spaces that breathe, that hold emotions, that touch all our senses. Too often today, buildings are just boxes—efficient maybe, but soulless. I want to bring back the kind of architecture that makes people pause, feel, connect—with themselves, with each other, with nature.

This journey hasn’t been easy. People today are conditioned to believe that modern, industrial materials and shiny technologies are the only way forward. I see it differently. I believe our older ways—vernacular techniques, local materials, human-scale thinking—are not just sustainable but deeply human. Convincing people of that, even in rural areas, is a challenge. So I take them on site visits, let them touch the materials, walk through the spaces, hear the stories. That’s when they start to see the difference.

One big lesson I’ve learned is that technology should serve people and nature—not exploit them. It should connect us, not reduce us to machines. Human beings need more than utility—we need beauty, love, connection, art. That’s what I try to weave into my buildings. My architecture is not just to be seen; it’s to be felt. And I truly believe: better architecture can bring more peace into this world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a week to show my best friend around Pune, we’d start in Koregaon Park—fondly known as KP. It’s a melting pot of cultures, history, and modern life. Famous for the OSHO Ashram, where the spiritual master once lived and gave his discourses, KP is full of lush greenery and old-world charm. A peaceful morning walk through Osho Teerth Park—a beautifully designed zen garden built around a natural stream—is the perfect start.

Breakfast would be at ‘Cafe One O Eight,’ a cozy spot surrounded by a plant nursery and art gallery, where you can meet vibrant people and enjoy the creative energy. For lunch, Sante Spa Cuisine offers a boho vibe and an experimental healthy vegetarian menu—often a weekend favorite for the city’s who’s who.

Evenings come alive on 7th Lane with its buzzing nightlife, eclectic restaurants, bars, and even a pet café. Nearby, TIFA (an art hub) and the German Cultural Center add to the cultural mix. The food here spans from South Indian delights at Savya Rasa to North Indian classics at Great Punjab, and international menus—Mexican, French, British, and more.

What makes KP truly special for me are its old, charming buildings crafted with natural materials and vernacular techniques—still standing gracefully amidst modernity. It’s a place where artists, musicians, architects, and innovators cross paths, making every visit an experience of connection.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My journey has been shaped by several extraordinary individuals and places. I’m deeply grateful to my professor, Mr. Rajan Lakule, who taught me to think creatively and design deeply. I draw inspiration from architects Laurie Baker and Nari Gandhi, whose work taught me how buildings can live in harmony with nature. Auroville, as a place and a collective, showed me how sustainability, love, and spirituality can blend into everyday life. And my yoga teacher, Kranti, has been a living lesson in dedication, intuition, and personal growth. All of them have guided me toward a life of meaningful, joyful design.

Instagram: @sandeep.dhole

Image Credits
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