Great design begins long before a space takes shape. It starts with the questions architects, designers, manufacturers, and builders ask before selecting a single material. As sustainability becomes central to modern construction, these questions have evolved beyond aesthetics and cost to include environmental responsibility, long-term performance, transparency, and accountability.
These ideas formed the heart of a recent conversation at The Makers Circle, where Nidhi Somani, Director at SomaniPly, spoke with renowned architect Reema Bhandari, Director at M Moser Associates. Their discussion explored how material choices influence not only buildings but also the future of the built environment.
Rather than focusing solely on design trends, the conversation highlighted the growing responsibility shared by architects, manufacturers, and suppliers in creating spaces that are sustainable, resilient, and future-ready. From measurable sustainability to responsible sourcing and leadership, the discussion offered valuable insights for homeowners, architects, interior designers, builders, and manufacturers alike.
Here are seven important lessons from that conversation and why they matter for the future of architecture, interior design, and material selection.
One of the strongest messages from the conversation was that material selection is no longer simply about appearance. According to Reema Bhandari, every material specified in a project should be evaluated for its broader impact.
As designers review thousands of materials across different projects, the decision-making process now extends beyond surface finishes. Factors such as embedded carbon, social implications, environmental responsibility, and long-term performance have become equally important.
This represents an important shift in the design industry. Instead of asking whether a material looks attractive, professionals are increasingly asking what consequences their choices have over the entire lifecycle of a building.
For manufacturers, this also raises expectations. Products are now expected to deliver not only quality but also meaningful environmental information that helps customers make informed decisions.
One of the recurring themes throughout the discussion was the importance of credible information.
Sustainability claims alone are no longer enough. Architects today evaluate products based on lifecycle performance, certifications, recyclability, ethical sourcing, and measurable environmental data. As Reema explained, if sustainability is claimed, professionals expect evidence that supports those claims.
This shift is transforming the relationship between manufacturers and the design community. Rather than relying on promotional messaging, manufacturers are increasingly expected to provide independently verified information that demonstrates environmental performance.
For companies like SomaniPly, certifications such as Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), GreenPro, FSC, Low VOC, and Low Emission play an important role in providing this transparency, allowing architects and designers to evaluate products with greater confidence.
The discussion also challenged the idea that sustainability depends solely on client demand.
While clients today are more informed and frequently ask questions about emissions, traceability, circularity, and responsible sourcing, Reema emphasized that leadership continues to rest with architects and designers. Sustainable design should not begin only when requested by a client. Instead, it should be embedded into everyday design practice.
This perspective reflects an important evolution within the construction industry.
Manufacturers, architects, consultants, contractors, suppliers, and clients all influence the environmental impact of a project. True sustainability emerges when every stakeholder accepts responsibility for better decision-making rather than treating sustainability as a compliance requirement.
As Nidhi Somani observed during the conversation, sustainability is increasingly becoming part of organizational culture rather than simply fulfilling regulations.
The conversation also explored the growing role of Indian manufacturing within the global construction industry.
According to Reema Bhandari, locally manufactured products offer significant environmental advantages when approached intentionally. Reduced transportation distances help lower carbon emissions while enabling stronger collaboration between designers and manufacturers.
India already possesses world-class manufacturing capabilities. The next opportunity lies in combining those capabilities with measurable sustainability benchmarks, transparent reporting, and internationally recognized certifications.
This perspective positions Made in India as more than a manufacturing advantage. It has the potential to become a globally respected sustainability benchmark built on innovation, accountability, and responsible production.
For Indian manufacturers, this represents an opportunity to compete globally not only through product quality but also through environmental leadership.
The first half of the discussion highlighted a common theme running through every question and response: better buildings begin with better decisions. Material selection is no longer driven solely by cost, durability, or appearance. It increasingly reflects a commitment to transparency, measurable sustainability, and long-term value.
Key Insight | Why It Matters |
Purpose-driven material selection | Encourages responsible design decisions beyond aesthetics. |
Transparency over claims | Builds trust through measurable sustainability data. |
Shared responsibility | Sustainability requires collaboration across the entire project ecosystem. |
Stronger Indian manufacturing | Positions locally manufactured products as globally competitive and environmentally responsible. |
These insights establish a strong foundation for understanding how the future of architecture is becoming increasingly connected with responsible manufacturing, environmental accountability, and collaborative leadership.
An interesting perspective shared by Reema Bhandari was how M Moser Associates uses its own workplaces as “living laboratories.” Instead of relying only on design theories or product specifications, the team studies how materials perform once spaces are occupied.
By observing how materials age, respond to climate, influence comfort, and support occupant well-being, designers gain valuable insights that improve future projects. This evidence-based approach closes the gap between design intent and real-life performance.
For manufacturers, this reinforces the importance of developing products that deliver consistent performance over time rather than simply meeting initial design expectations. Long-term durability, dimensional stability, and responsible manufacturing become essential considerations in creating materials that continue to perform throughout the life of a building.
The conversation also highlighted the changing landscape of leadership within architecture and construction. Traditionally seen as male-dominated industries, these fields are becoming more diverse, with women taking on influential roles in design, project management, and construction leadership.
When asked what advice she would offer young professionals entering the industry, Reema emphasized the importance of building strong technical knowledge. Curiosity, she explained, develops deeper understanding, while technical competence builds credibility. Confidence is equally important because every perspective contributes to stronger decision-making and better outcomes.
She also described bamboo as the material that best reflected her own leadership philosophy. Its resilience, flexibility, and adaptability represent qualities that are increasingly important in today’s rapidly evolving built environment.
The message extends beyond individual careers. As technologies, regulations, and sustainability expectations continue changing, both designers and manufacturers must remain adaptable while continuing to invest in learning and innovation.
Perhaps the most powerful insight from the discussion came toward its conclusion.
Reema noted that the future of materials will not be defined only by how they look or feel, but by how they perform over time. Long-term performance, measurable sustainability, and transparency are becoming essential factors in material selection.
She also cautioned against sustainability claims that cannot be supported by credible data. The future, she explained, depends on transparency rather than narratives. This reflects a broader industry shift where architects increasingly expect independently verified information, responsible sourcing practices, and measurable environmental performance before specifying products.
The discussion concluded with an important reminder that responsibility does not belong to a single stakeholder. Architects, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and clients all contribute to creating a more sustainable built environment. Collaboration across this ecosystem is what will ultimately shape better buildings and better communities.
The conversation at The Makers Circle reinforces many of the values that guide SomaniPly’s approach to manufacturing. Modern plywood is expected to deliver far more than structural performance. It should also provide transparency, responsible sourcing, environmental accountability, and long-term reliability.
This commitment is reflected through SomaniPly’s internationally recognized certifications, including GreenPro, Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), FSC, Low VOC, and Low Emission. These certifications support architects, interior designers, builders, and homeowners in selecting materials that combine quality with measurable sustainability.
By investing in innovation, responsible manufacturing, and continuous improvement, SomaniPly contributes to an industry where material choices are increasingly guided by evidence, accountability, and long-term value.
The conversation between Nidhi Somani and Reema Bhandari demonstrated that the future of architecture extends well beyond design trends or product innovation. It is about making thoughtful decisions that balance creativity with accountability, performance with sustainability, and aesthetics with long-term impact.
The seven lessons discussed at The Makers Circle remind us that every material choice influences the spaces we create and the legacy we leave behind. Purpose-driven selection, transparent environmental data, responsible manufacturing, collaborative leadership, and evidence-based design are no longer optional considerations. They are becoming the foundation of modern architecture and interior design.
As the construction industry continues to evolve, these principles will help architects, designers, manufacturers, and homeowners create buildings that are not only visually inspiring but also resilient, responsible, and prepared for the future.
The Makers Circle is a thought leadership series by SomaniPly that brings together architects, designers, and industry experts to discuss innovation, sustainability, leadership, and the future of the built environment.
Reema Bhandari is the Director at M Moser Associates and an experienced architect known for her work in workplace design, sustainable architecture, and evidence-based design strategies.
The discussion emphasized that material choices should be guided by purpose, measurable sustainability, transparency, long-term performance, and shared responsibility across the construction ecosystem.
Transparent information enables architects and designers to evaluate products using credible environmental data, certifications, lifecycle performance, and responsible sourcing rather than relying solely on marketing claims.
Evidence-based design studies how materials and spaces perform after occupancy, helping architects make better-informed decisions that improve comfort, durability, and long-term building performance.
Manufacturers contribute by developing high-quality products, adopting responsible sourcing practices, investing in sustainable manufacturing, and providing verified environmental information that supports informed material selection.
Certifications such as GreenPro, Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), FSC, Low VOC, and Low Emission help verify product quality, environmental responsibility, and healthier indoor performance.
SomaniPly combines premium plywood manufacturing with internationally recognized sustainability certifications, enabling architects, builders, designers, and homeowners to create durable, environmentally responsible, and future-ready spaces.
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