Srikanth Reddy, Neelesh Kumar, and Raghuram are Indian architects and Partners of 23 Degrees Design Shift (23DDS), an architecture and design studio based in Hyderabad. Established in 2010, 23DDS draws its name from the Earth’s axial tilt of 23.5 degrees, symbolizing the studio’s commitment to sustainability and contextual design. The firm engages in a diverse range of projects, including hospitality, residential, commercial, and institutional architecture. Notable works such as the Courtyard House and Zero40 Brewery exemplify their approach of integrating natural elements and responding thoughtfully to site-specific conditions. Their design philosophy emphasizes material honesty, spatial clarity, and a deep connection to the environment.
What inspires you?
As a practice, the mystique character of nature inspires us. Hidden order that makes the organic existence of nature intrigues us. All the beauty in nature that we see has a lot of discipline with which it conducts itself. This results in balance and thus existence. We call it pragmatically poetic. We try biomimicry at this level in our projects.
What inspired you to become an architect?
Srikanth Reddy
From the very early days of my schooling, I have always sketched things and buildings in front of me. I made basic building models with cover pages of used hard-bound notebooks. My mother observed this and encouraged me to get into architecture.
Neelesh Kumar
Coming from a small town with little knowledge about architecture, I chose the course simply because I was good at drawing and it was a professional path. But once I entered the field, my love for architecture grew deeply. What inspired me most was the power to create and the joy of experiencing what is created. Over time, architecture became more than a profession. It became my passion, blending creativity, purpose, and the ability to shape spaces that impact lives.
Raghuram
I always felt good creating things on my own. I wanted to be that important part of people’s life. Architecture allowed me to practice these aspects in my own way.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
Our designs are rooted in contextual clarity, where every project is approached as a unique response to its environment, purpose, and to the people who inhabit and experience those spaces. One consistent thread is our celebration of materials. We believe in letting materials express their inherent qualities rather than disguising them.
What is your favorite project?
Srikanth Reddy
Rather than favorites, I tend to value projects that present unique challenges and opportunities. Babylon Bar and Kitchen was particularly satisfying because it presented a beautiful problem: working with a sloping site, integrating existing trees, and creating zones that maintained visual connections while offering different sensory experiences. At Zero40 Brewery, the challenge of weaving spaces around ten mango trees without trimming their foliage meant the architecture had to respond with humility to what was already there. The way the building tapers to accommodate tree growth, how sunken courtyards respect the site’s gradient, the introduction of a curved wall to break strong geometries—these moves reflect our approach to creating architecture that enhances rather than dominates its surroundings.
What is your favorite detail?
Srikanth Reddy
I’m drawn to architectural moments that appear effortless yet require precise technical execution. At Babylon, the suspended composite slab at the entrance exists as one such detail, appearing completely detached from any structural element, creating an illusion of weightlessness through the careful use of cables.
Do you have a favorite material?
Neelesh Kumar
As much as possible, we believe in using relatively less processed natural material compared to engineered and industrialised material. So that the expression remains genuine. It also allows the spaces to age gracefully. It allows the user to be in touch with the true forms and textures of nature. Natural wood, natural stone, etc.
What is your process for starting a new project?
All our projects begin with active listening. We listen to the client, their stories, their aspiration; to the site, to the broader context and environment. This clarity becomes the foundation upon which spatial narratives, material choices, and design language evolve. Listening helps us understand what the space wants to be, rather than what we want it to be.
How do you fuel your creativity?
Raghuram
As a practice, we work on reason. Introspection and dwelling on reason help us get better at the solutions we offer as designers. Other than that, travel plays a crucial role in experiencing good architecture.
What inspired Babylon Bar and Kitchen?
Babylon emerged from a desire to create a multi-sensory destination where the brewing process becomes an integral part of the visitor experience. The site itself was a significant influence—its gentle slope descending 6 feet from southwest to northeast, the existing trees that became anchors for the semi-open zone, and the urban context that demanded thoughtful acoustic planning. We wanted to celebrate the craft of brewing by making it visible rather than hidden, elevating the brew tanks to become a visual focal point visible from the approach road. The concept of creating distinct zones—services, indoor, semi-open, and brewery—that maintained visual connections while offering different atmospheric qualities drove the spatial organization. This allowed us to craft a narrative of discovery as visitors move through the space.
How did materiality shape the Babylon Bar and Kitchen?
Materiality was fundamental to Babylon‘s identity and atmospheric quality. We embraced a rustic palette that would age with dignity and give the space immediate character. The washed concrete flooring with black and red stone chips creates a monolithic base that unifies the different zones while adding textural richness underfoot. Dholpur sandstone cladding on the compound wall provides strength and contextual grounding. Finished concrete reveals the beauty of the structural slabs without unnecessary adornment. The indoor bar, enclosed by DGU frames with a Corten metal finish, creates a distinct visual presence while maintaining visual connections to other zones. These materials weren’t merely surface treatments but integral to the spatial experience, creating a dialogue between rawness and refinement, between weight and lightness.
What advice would you give to young architects?
Srikanth Reddy
Develop patience with the process. Architecture is a slow art—truly understanding a site, a client’s needs, and the potential of materials takes time and careful observation. Learn to listen before proposing solutions.
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