The global architectural services market reached $381.20 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3 percent to reach approximately $559.35 billion by 2032. A huge societal shift in sustainability demands and technological advancements have caused the architecture industry to experience changes worldwide. These changes are becoming extremely noticeable in India as the country grows to become one of the largest economies in the world. The wave of growth led by urbanization and investments in residential and commercial projects have caused the firms in India’s architectural industry to evolve and adapt to the quickly changing landscape.

Based out of Chennai and established in 2015, Dofx is constantly upgrading itself to the changing conditions of the industry. The firm focuses on generating design ideas that are both meaningful and contextually relevant along with being architecturally sound. Dofx works on residential and commercial interiors, provides thorough design consultancy services, and is an expert in designing single-family homes and residential interiors. Apart from this, the firm also specializes in turnkey projects and designs furniture and light fixtures for specific projects. From project management to consulting, Dofx has established itself as a pioneer in the architectural field by combining practicality with meaningful significance and relevance.

One of the most prominent projects undertaken by Dofx was Dr. Mehta’s Hospital refurbishment. The project was placed among the top five in the young architect’s category and won several accolades. What distinguishes Dofx from other competitors in the market is a deep and philosophical perspective on space perception. Space itself is illusive and intangible, in contrast to the physical components of architecture. To define and configure space in a way that is both meaningful and functional, Dofx goes extensively into this idea. This viewpoint distinguishes the firm and enables it to design environments that have a deeper resonance. Dofx emphasizes the performative elements of architecture, making sure that the structures complement their natural surroundings in addition to fulfilling their intended purposes. This entails using simulations and planning to maximize natural light, airflow, and other environmental aspects. Dofx also does a great job of combining these performative elements with aesthetics.

Innovative Leadership & Team

Dofx is led by the visionary C S M Sundar Velan, who has more than ten years of varied experience in prestigious architectural practices around India. Sundar graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree and started his professional career in 2004 with Space scape Architects in Chennai. He went on to work with well-known organizations including CnT in Bangalore, PSP in Chennai, Morphogenesis in Delhi, and SVA in Chennai, before establishing Dofx in August 2015.

Sundar has skillfully managed a variety of building and project typologies, producing creative and functional designs. He guarantees the smooth conversion of abstract concepts into concrete structures. Before transferring them to the production crew, Sundar carefully creates the basic framework and sketches for every project. “Our team is devoted to extensive research and is a think tank that simulates several aspects of design, such as environmental

impact and sunlight orientation. To ensure that everyone on the team makes significant contributions, I stress how important it is that everyone gets the project’s overarching context and coherence. I believe that we must maintain these strict parameters for quality and coherence to be maintained as we scale up”, asserts Sundar.

Building Trust Through Design

Dr. Mehta’s Hospital, Dofx’s debut project, perfectly captures the firm’s early struggles and victories as they overcome doubt to gain praise for their creative strategy. Sameer Mehta, CEO of Dr. Mehta’s Hospital, has publicly commended Sundar Velan for his painstaking attention to detail and insistence on practical design. “I always make it a point to explain and communicate our guiding concepts to clients. I begin by educating them on the popular perception of architecture and what architects are expected to deliver. The first stage is to describe our process for designing a building, including the contributions we make as well as the technical aspects. I place a strong emphasis on spatial aesthetics and explain that performance, wellbeing, and many other things are all connected to our design approach. Clients see the benefits of our approach once these elements are communicated unambiguously and clearly. This open and honest conversation results in a positive response”, adds Sundar.

Sustainability in architecture is about seeing its role in the larger fabric of human endeavor, harmonizing design with the environment, to ensure that performance is optimized while enhancing the occupant’s experience

Sustainability beyond Certifications

Environmental responsibility, financial stability, and social equity all depend on sustainable architecture. At Dofx, Sundar focuses on these ideas over merely checking off certification requirements. “To improve the building’s overall performance and lessen its negative environmental effects, several components are essential. We take an approach that goes beyond the use of certificates & ranking systems and emphasize the contextual performance and ground realities of every project. Building orientation, daylighting, and thermal mass are the foundational elements of real sustainability, as they may greatly lessen dependency on energy-intensive systems such as HVAC”, conveys Sundar.

Purchasing goods locally is one of the most important ways to lower transportation-related emissions and boost the local economy. Sundar works with organizations such as the Auroville Earth Institute, finding suitable solutions for environmentally friendly buildings. He emphasizes, “Technology by itself cannot accomplish sustainability; rather it is the careful combination and arrangement of various technologies that count. Passive cooling and natural lighting reduce the need for mechanical intervention in building design, which results in energy savings and improves living conditions for occupants. Professionals in our field must be creative and mindful of sustainability objectives. A project’s sustainable practices are integrated into all phases, from project inception to project implementation. This could be achieved through effectively communicating the goal to the entire team. This approach not only addresses the environmental impact but also enhances the building’s functionality and aesthetic appeal, so it’s a win-win for all the stake holders”.

Pushing Architectural Boundaries with Innovation

Presently working on a wide range of projects that include both private homes and commercial structures, Dofx focuses on innovation and performance-driven design. In one prominent project, internal courtyard volumes and vertical stacking are integrated into a smaller, yet exquisitely detailed home to maximize functionality and improve the sense of space. This strategy enhances the space’s overall visual and experience aspects in addition to achieving performative aims. At the same time, Dofx is working on a commercial building project that defies traditional boxlike forms by carefully examining daylighting and sunshine to guide the facade’s design.


“In the future, we hope to use the data gathered from completed projects to guide and improve our work. We are currently formalizing our data analysis methodology and disseminating findings widely. These project will not only help our colleagues in the business but also help us to prove our mettle in the field of architecture. We want to cultivate a work culture that values innovation and creativity to establish Dofx as a leader and innovator in architectural ideas”, concludes Sundar.