The Madras Office for Architects and Designers (MOAD)

What The Madras Office for Architects and Designers (MOAD) does

The Madras Office for Architects and Designers (MOAD) is a Chennai-based multidisciplinary architecture and design practice founded in 2006 by Principal Architect Mahesh Radhakrishnan. Its core offerings span architectural design, urban design and master planning, interior design, research, graphic design, installation art, and set design, which are typically delivered together on integrated projects rather than as standalone services. The firm serves a horizontally diversified client base across private residential, commercial/retail, cultural institutions, educational bodies, government, and NGOs across India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi NCR, and Puducherry).

MOAD's underlying technology is conventional industry tooling — design software for BIM, architectural visualization, and project documentation — with no proprietary platform or AI components. Projects are commissioned directly through client relationships, referrals, and professional networks, with the firm's portfolio (featured in Domus and Arts Illustrated) and award record (Trends Awards 2018 hat-trick, Forbes India Design Awards 2019 commendation, The Merit List 2020/21 commendation) serving as its primary demand-generation mechanism. Revenue is generated through project-based design fees charged per commission, with no publicly listed pricing and no recurring or subscription model. The firm maintains a small team of approximately 11 people at its Adyar, Chennai headquarters and is privately held with no disclosed external investors.

Name

The Madras Office for Architects and Designers (MOAD)

Legal name

The Madras Office for Architects and Designers

Website

https://moad.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MOAD is a Chennai-based multidisciplinary architecture and design practice founded in 2006, delivering architecture, interior design, urban design, and research services across residential, commercial, cultural, educational, and government sectors throughout India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (541410)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Urban master planning
• Interior design services
• Adaptive reuse architecture
• Cultural institution design

Headquarters

HQ city

Chennai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Project-based fees for architectural design, urban design, master planning, interior design, and related design services. Revenue is generated through design fees for commissioned projects across residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, and public sectors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

MOAD is a multidisciplinary design practice providing architectural design, urban design/master planning, interior design, architecture and urban research, graphic design, installation art, and set design services. Projects are commissioned across residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, and public-sector clients throughout India. The studio is recognized for context-responsive design, use of reclaimed and local materials, and adaptive reuse expertise.

Product overview

MOAD is a multidisciplinary design practice offering a unified portfolio of design services rather than distinct software products. The core offerings include Architectural Design, Urban Design/Master Planning, Interior Design, Architecture/Urban Research, Graphic Design, Installation Art, and Set Design. These services are interconnected and often combined in projects—for example, architectural design projects may incorporate graphic design elements, interior design services, and research components. The practice is known for sensitive design, deep cultural influences, collaborative design approach, celebrating local materials, and keen attention to detail.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Comprehensive architectural design services for residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, and public projects, with emphasis on sensitive design, deep cultural influences, and a collaborative approach. Clients include private homeowners, real-estate developers, government bodies, and cultural institutions across India.
• Urban Design/Master Planning Urban design and master planning services focused on creating socially inclusive, ecologically responsible, and well-designed public spaces and urban interventions. Clients include government bodies and NGOs working on the public realm and urban development.
• Interior Design Interior design services for offices, retail spaces, residential units, and institutional facilities, emphasizing material textures, colors, and spatial organization. Delivered as part of integrated design commissions rather than standalone interior-only engagements.
• Architecture/Urban Research Research-driven approach to architecture and urban design, including documentation, surveys, and analysis to inform design decisions. Conducted for civic and institutional clients (e.g., Public Spaces on Water Edge with Chennai City Connect).
• Graphic Design Graphic design services integrated with architectural projects, including signage, wayfinding, and visual identity elements.
• Installation Art Design and execution of installation art projects, including public art interventions and exhibition design.
• Set Design

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple award wins including Trends Awards 2018 hat-trick (Best Practice, Architecture Residence winner, Leisure Interior winner)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Urban Design Collective ChennaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUDC is a not-for-profit organization promoting sustainable urban practices through advocacy and research. Mahesh Radhakrishnan is an Associate of UDC. MOAD collaborates on urban design projects and research initiatives.
• Play Architecture BangaloreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBangalore-based architecture practice. Collaborated on Carbon trilogy retail projects and other design initiatives.
• Almost Parallel BostonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaborator based in Boston. Provided photography services (Ganesh Ramachandran) for various MOAD projects.
• Marcos Guardalia MadridminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraphic designer from Madrid who collaborated on Play Room project (Maguma brand).
• Wood & Design PondicherryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFurniture partner for V House project, providing custom furniture solutions.
• Vettiver Collective ChennaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChennai-based collective collaborating on community-driven initiatives like Urur Kuppam Model Project.
• Care Earth ChennaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental trust collaborating on water edge public space projects and Ribbon Walk Project for Pallikaranai Marsh preservation.
• Chennai Architecture Foundation (CAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNot-for-profit organization promoting Architecture. Mahesh Radhakrishnan is a trustee of CAF.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Studio Mumbai: Bijoy Jain's Studio Mumbai is India's most internationally recognized context-driven, craft-led architecture practice. Comparable to MOAD in emphasis on local materials, artisanal construction, and a design philosophy rooted in place and craft.
• Mathew & Ghosh Architects: Bangalore-based contemporary architecture practice with a comparable portfolio of residential, institutional, and adaptive reuse projects across India. Operates at a similar boutique scale to MOAD.
• Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a): Mumbai-based practice recognized for context-sensitive, research-driven architecture with a focus on materiality and craft. Highly comparable in scale, philosophy, and project diversity to MOAD.
• A Threshold: Ahmedabad-based architectural practice focused on context, material research, and incremental design. Similar in size and ethos to MOAD's craft-driven, research-informed approach.
• Anagram Architects: New Delhi-based multidisciplinary design studio working across architecture, interiors, and installations. Shares MOAD's commitment to contextual design, material experimentation, and integration of craft with contemporary practice.
• SJK Architects: Shahen Kapadia-led Mumbai practice working across residential, commercial, and institutional architecture with a material- and detail-led approach analogous to MOAD's design philosophy.
• RMA Architects (Rahul Mehrotra Associates): Mumbai/Boston practice known for integrating architecture, urban design, and research on India's informal urbanism. Comparable to MOAD through its research-led methodology and urban design work.
• KPDV Associates: Contemporary Indian architecture practice with a portfolio of award-winning residential, institutional, and interior projects. Comparable in scale and design-led positioning to MOAD.

Broad incumbents

• Christopher Charles Benninger Architects: One of India's largest and most established architecture firms, where MOAD's founder previously worked. Offers a much broader service range and larger institutional commissions than MOAD's boutique model.

Emerging players

• Biome Environmental Solutions: Bangalore-based practice focused on sustainable, climate-responsive architecture in India. Overlaps with MOAD on environmental and context-driven design values, though with a more explicit sustainability lens.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/moadindia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Madras Office for Architects and Designers (MOAD)