“I was born in Dhulipala, a small village near Sattenapalli in Andhra Pradesh, where life revolved around agriculture. My father wasn’t just a farmer he was a visionary who introduced progressive techniques and supported rural development through the agri society bank and MGNREGA. His leadership showed me how education and community action could drive real change.
Growing up, I was drawn to art winning state-level gold medals in drawing. After intermediate, I faced a tough choice: follow my father’s path or pursue my fascination with design and the built environment. That’s when I discovered architecture a field where art, science, and sustainability intersect.
I first attempted JEE Mains & Advanced, scored well, but missed the Architecture Aptitude Test window. I briefly joined B.Tech at VVIT Nambur, but soon realized architecture was my true calling.
In Hyderabad, I joined Colours Academy to prepare for NATA. We faced financial struggles, but Raj Gopal Sir generously offered free coaching. With his help, I cleared NATA and got into JNAFAU, Hyderabad. Encouraged by Harshita ma’am and Elsa ma’am, I reattempted JEE and entered SPA Delhi India’s top architecture school.
The first year was tough language barriers, financial stress, and cultural shock. Some days, I lived on ₹10 meals thanks to a kind canteen owner, Dhyaniji. But I pushed through.
At SPA Delhi, I won global design awards, coordinated The Beta Movement film fest, acted in 18 plays, directed short films, and trained at the National School of Drama. I also explored filmmaking and editing skills I still use today.
In 2018, I paused formal education to document 100+ farmer stories across India, exploring how architecture and agritecture could transform rural life.
My story was later featured in The Times of India, The Hindu, and Deccan Chronicle. Thanks to the support of friends and my village, I traveled to Malaysia in 2019 to represent India at the Model United Nations, ranking in the top 3 for my proposal on malnutrition in India and Mali.
Back at SPA, my third-year project a sustainable farming school with rooftop agriculture and passive design won faculty praise and cemented my belief in agritecture.
I soon met Amitabh Srivatsav, a renowned public artist. I began as his intern and later became a partner. We proposed art installations for airports in Agartala, Bhubaneswar, and Varanasi, and founded Indi Studios designing across India and abroad with a biophilic, sustainable approach.
My thesis focused on the Amaravati Cultural Centre near Undavalli Caves, blending agriculture-integrated design with cultural identity.
Between 2021–23, I joined Odyssey Stone, Noida, as Head of Design, restoring 108 ancient kunds in Ayodhya and overseeing 120+ narrative-rich stone artworks.
In 2023, I founded AA Axis – Architecture & Agritecture Axis India’s first agritecture design studio. It’s more than a firm; it’s a movement to build sustainable rural futures. I lead a team of 8 full-time members and 14 associates from SPA, IITs, and global universities.
We’re developing “Farm Plan,” a farmer-friendly app incubated at T-Hub, Hyderabad.
Our studio works across India from a wellness centre in Rishikesh and a UNESCO-recognized guest house in Tabo to eco-friendly cafes, homes, and resorts in Himachal, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and beyond. One upcoming highlight: an organic-curve café in Madhapur, Hyderabad with India’s largest indoor cafe screen.
We’re now excited to contribute to the rising city of Amaravati and bring agritecture to the forefront of India’s design future.”
- THOKALA NAGA GOPI , Architect, Agritect, Actor & Speaker