Anant Krishna
Principal Architect
In this context, what makes Advance Group of Architects (AGA) stand out is a profound philosophy ingrained in its DNA to re-imagine design as significant, experiential, and place-based instead of formulaic. The firm’s practice is based on a belief that architecture can do more than offer protection it must nourish the body, mind, and society.
Water conservation systems, waste recycling, and urban greening are seamlessly integrated, while renewable energy and passive design techniques like solar integration, terracotta walls, and orientation-based airflow management enhance efficiency and comfort. The firm creatively uses local materials such as mud, stone, and timber, balancing modern lifestyle needs with ecological sensitivity.
Navigating the Journey with Roots, Services & Impact
AGA was founded in 1995 by engineer-architect Neeta Sinha, establishing a foundation of technical rigor and client focused design. In 2020-21, a new principal brought youthful inquisitiveness and a passion for climate-responsive design, reshaping the firm’s identity with bold experimentation and a philosophy that sustainability is not a trend but ‘just logic’. Today, the firm offers a diverse portfolio encompassing residential, commercial, interiors, landscaping, conservation, and urban design, all approached through ecological and cultural relevance.
Each project is treated as a process rather than a product, where client needs intersect with the studio’s pursuit of timelessness. A striking example is the firm’s own 300-square-foot office in Lucknow, completed in 2021, featuring mud walls, barreled roofs, carved wood and passive strategies that cut electricity use almost fourfold. The project embodies ‘Minimal Indigeneity’ showing that smallscale work can serve as powerful prototypes for sustainable, culturally rooted design.
It incorporates sustainability and social responsibility through passive climate control, natural lighting, energy-efficient systems, and green materials, while involving local artisans and crafting inclusive spaces. Technology enriches traditional parametric design, BIM, AI, VR/AR, and automation, streamlining workflow and building while remaining contextually aware. The firm’s buildings look ahead to climate change, demographic transitions and changing urban requirements, making them relevant in the long term.
Anant Krishna, Principal Architect at Advance Group of Architects (AGA), leads the firm with a strong focus on contextual, sustainable, and human-centric design.
Guided by self-exploration and social purpose, he has conducted research on school design under Parul Minhas and studied the revival of traditional Kashmiri architecture, exploring how vernacular wisdom can shape contemporary practice.
His philosophy centers on cultural empathy and environmental logic over superficial sustainability. Translating this vision into action, he founded the Mud Local Workshop, promoting hands-on learning, local craftsmanship, and sustainable material experimentation. A passionate educator and speaker, Anant has addressed students from primary to college levels and professionals through talks at GuruKul Academy, SMS College, and @Commence. His work extends to socially responsive initiatives, including improving jail conditions in Uttar Pradesh.
Team, Collaboration & Integrating Technology with Natural Materials
AGA is a multi-disciplinary, multi-generational collective of architects, engineers, interior designers, and digital specialists that treats architecture as both design and narrative. With half the team under 33 and half over 55, the studio thrives on dialogue between youthful experimentation and seasoned craftsmanship.
Technology at AGA is guided by rigorous research into materials both experimental and vernacular the firm explores parametric architecture, algorithmic forms, and materials like molded foams and translucent concrete, while reviving traditional ones such as mud, brick, and stone through principles of the circular economy reduce, reuse, and recycle. Historic Indian techniques like mud layering for insulation are digitally reinterpreted to enhance light and ventilation.
By harmonizing tactile authenticity with technological innovation, the firm creates sensorial, future oriented spaces rooted in cultural context and grounded in the hands of local artisans. It blends heritage craft with modern design, using architecture as cultural storytelling.
Recognition & Media Features
AGA is popular through Anant’s innovative works in sustainable architecture as they have earned him widespread recognition and multiple accolades, including the Bangalore Award, Lucknow Award, and more. His groundbreaking Mud Office and efforts to reduce concrete usage have been extensively featured across leading media platforms. GNT showcased his work in the feature ‘Mitti Banaye Office Behad Khaas, Jaane Khasiyat’ and later highlighted his Eco Wall innovation in ‘Eco Wall: Lucknow Mein Architect Ka Nayab Prayog, Garmi Se Rahat Ke Liye Banaiye Anokhi Eco-Wall’. His Mud Office has also been spotlighted in The Better India through articles such as ‘Architect’s Office Needs No Heaters or ACs, Saves Thousands on Electricity’ and ‘Sheher Ke Bichin-Beech Bana Mitti Ka Office| Sustainable Office - The Better India – Hindi’.
Further, his impactful initiatives have been highlighted by Amar Ujala, Gaon Connection, and Radio RedFM 93.5. His sustainable design philosophy was showcased in The Better India's video “Office Made from Mud,” and his Eco Wall gained attention from Aaj Tak and The Amazing Bharat YouTube channel. These features highlight his contributions to eco-conscious architecture using Indian materials and climate-sensitive design.
Future Vision
Growing under the guided leadership of Anant, AGA anticipates the addition of team members driven not by credentials but by curiosity, clarity, and a desire to challenge the status quo. Its future vision is rooted in the motto of creating spaces that nurture functional and psychological growth.
The firm aims to expand into large-scale, socially significant projects campuses, hospitals, stadiums, and public infrastructure designed to serve diverse users while fostering better living conditions, healthier environments, and safer communities. Each project aspires to address not only functional needs but also deeper human concerns of belonging, resilience, and collective well-being through meaningful, responsive design.
His philosophy centers on cultural empathy and environmental logic over superficial sustainability. Translating this vision into action, he founded the Mud Local Workshop, promoting hands-on learning, local craftsmanship, and sustainable material experimentation. A passionate educator and speaker, Anant has addressed students from primary to college levels and professionals through talks at GuruKul Academy, SMS College, and @Commence. His work extends to socially responsive initiatives, including improving jail conditions in Uttar Pradesh.
We design not just buildings, but breathing spaces that nurture life, culture, and our shared future
Team, Collaboration & Integrating Technology with Natural Materials
AGA is a multi-disciplinary, multi-generational collective of architects, engineers, interior designers, and digital specialists that treats architecture as both design and narrative. With half the team under 33 and half over 55, the studio thrives on dialogue between youthful experimentation and seasoned craftsmanship.
Technology at AGA is guided by rigorous research into materials both experimental and vernacular the firm explores parametric architecture, algorithmic forms, and materials like molded foams and translucent concrete, while reviving traditional ones such as mud, brick, and stone through principles of the circular economy reduce, reuse, and recycle. Historic Indian techniques like mud layering for insulation are digitally reinterpreted to enhance light and ventilation.
By harmonizing tactile authenticity with technological innovation, the firm creates sensorial, future oriented spaces rooted in cultural context and grounded in the hands of local artisans. It blends heritage craft with modern design, using architecture as cultural storytelling.
Recognition & Media Features
AGA is popular through Anant’s innovative works in sustainable architecture as they have earned him widespread recognition and multiple accolades, including the Bangalore Award, Lucknow Award, and more. His groundbreaking Mud Office and efforts to reduce concrete usage have been extensively featured across leading media platforms. GNT showcased his work in the feature ‘Mitti Banaye Office Behad Khaas, Jaane Khasiyat’ and later highlighted his Eco Wall innovation in ‘Eco Wall: Lucknow Mein Architect Ka Nayab Prayog, Garmi Se Rahat Ke Liye Banaiye Anokhi Eco-Wall’. His Mud Office has also been spotlighted in The Better India through articles such as ‘Architect’s Office Needs No Heaters or ACs, Saves Thousands on Electricity’ and ‘Sheher Ke Bichin-Beech Bana Mitti Ka Office| Sustainable Office - The Better India – Hindi’.
Further, his impactful initiatives have been highlighted by Amar Ujala, Gaon Connection, and Radio RedFM 93.5. His sustainable design philosophy was showcased in The Better India's video “Office Made from Mud,” and his Eco Wall gained attention from Aaj Tak and The Amazing Bharat YouTube channel. These features highlight his contributions to eco-conscious architecture using Indian materials and climate-sensitive design.
Future Vision
Growing under the guided leadership of Anant, AGA anticipates the addition of team members driven not by credentials but by curiosity, clarity, and a desire to challenge the status quo. Its future vision is rooted in the motto of creating spaces that nurture functional and psychological growth.
The firm aims to expand into large-scale, socially significant projects campuses, hospitals, stadiums, and public infrastructure designed to serve diverse users while fostering better living conditions, healthier environments, and safer communities. Each project aspires to address not only functional needs but also deeper human concerns of belonging, resilience, and collective well-being through meaningful, responsive design.
