POONAM RATHORE

Architecture: A Beginning

I studied architecture at the Aayojan School of Architecture in Jaipur.

Was I always sure about choosing architecture? Not really. I stumbled upon it during my creative explorations.
Until my internship in Delhi, I used to think college was the toughest part of the journey. And yes, the course was definitely laboursome! But during my internship, I had the privilege of being mentored by Prof. Ravindra Bhan, a pioneer in landscape design. He introduced me not only to the finer details of design but also to the craft of woodworking.

His house and office were wooden marvels—treasures for a design student to explore. But what I loved most were his stories.
After graduation, he called me back to Delhi, and on weekends he encouraged me to visit all of his projects. Those experiences shaped the way I began to see architecture—not just as a profession, but as a way of living and learning.

Furniture Design: Master’s Programme

Wanting a more micro, craft-focused perspective, I prepared for a Master’s and joined CEPT, Ahmedabad for a two-year Furniture Design program. A Master’s is largely about navigating on your own: mentors are there, but they nudge you to dig deeper and find your own way. CEPT was an extraordinary, hands-on journey — different cultures and art forms, and workshops across woodworking, lithography, pottery, metalworking, FabLab/CNC fabrication. It was intense, hands-on, and deeply formative.
Together, those experiences shaped how I approach design today: attentive to detail, grounded in craft, and curious about how materials, processes, and people intersect.

Being a Designer in a Factory Setup: Design Disneyland

After CEPT, I knew I wanted to live close to home, but not in Jaipur. That search brought me to Udaipur, where I joined IEVO — a vast setup nestled in a stunning landscape.
At IEVO, I found myself in what I can only call a “design Disneyland.” I worked on luxury hotel projects like the Taj, developed an entire range of furniture, and got them prototyped. My journey also took an unexpected turn toward teaching — within the factory setting, I began training individuals to see, understand, and engage with furniture design.
Those years in Udaipur gave me not only a strong grounding in production and prototyping, but also the joy of sharing design knowledge in a real-world environment.

Shifting to Karnal: Building Our Dream Home

The next chapter took me to Karnal, where I moved after getting married. Together, we built our home — from drawings on paper to execution on site, it became one of my most personal design projects.
Our design studio is now a part of our residence, making it both a home and a creative space — a place where life and design flow into each other seamlessly.

Manipal University: A full time Teaching Experience

After setting up our studio in Karnal, life took us to Manipal University in Karnataka for two years — an experience that immersed us in nature like never before. It was there that we conducted our first-ever miniature workshop, planting the seeds for hands-on learning formats we continue to explore today.
Then came the Covid years, which shifted our lives and work once again. Motivated to be closer to home, we returned to Karnal and began working remotely through online platforms. That period marked the beginning of my online teaching journey, expanding the reach of design education beyond physical spaces.

Design Baby: AWW Objects

In 2020, we started AWW Objects — my first true design venture, and in many ways, my first design “baby.” It was a big step forward: I produced a wide range of pieces and took the leap into creating for the market.
My entrepreneurial journey, however, had really begun earlier at CEPT, where I used to exhibit at flea markets at IIM. Back then, I made handmade objects in ceramics and wood — a side hustle that kept me energized and constantly experimenting.
Looking back, my entrepreneurial journey has shaped not only my practice but also my personality. It pushed me to engage with people, markets, and conversations — helping me become extroverted when needed.
AWW has a long way to go, and so do we — but every step continues to be a learning and growing experience.

Furniture Design: Designing for Manufacturers

Alongside these experiences, I have also collaborated with several manufacturers across India to develop furniture designs. Each collaboration brought a different brief, a new challenge, and fresh opportunities to play with design.
The projects spanned a wide spectrum — from kids’ furniture to luxury furniture — allowing me to adapt my design language across categories. I also explored toy design for toddlers, working with wood and board to create playful, safe, and imaginative objects for children.
These experiences deepened my understanding of how design shifts with context — age, lifestyle, material, and scale — and kept my practice rooted in both versatility and curiosity.

Visiting Faculty: NID, Kurukshetra

In 2023 and 2024, I taught Furniture Design courses at NID, Kurukshetra — an experience I consider my most rewarding in an academic setting so far. It reaffirmed my conviction that my focus is, and always will be, Furniture and Furniture only.
With this clarity, I began to limit my visiting faculty modules, choosing depth over breadth. I find the most joy in working with students who are determined, curious, and ready to push themselves beyond their limits — they inspire me as much as I hope to inspire them.

Interior Project: Manali Valley

And then, nature called us again!
We spent a month in Manali, working on the interiors of a resort while actually living in it. Nestled amidst the valley, one of the complexes even became our makeshift office.
It was an intense and inspiring time — working as a team of five, surrounded by mountains, blending life and work in the most beautiful way possible.

Workshop Setup in Karnal: Our Woodworking Space

The next big step was setting up our own woodworking workshop in Karnal. It took almost a year of effort to get it fully up and running, but it has quickly become the heart of our practice.
Today, we use the space both for teaching and for working on our own woodworking projects. Looking ahead, our vision is to transform it into a hub for learning and making — by hosting residency workshops in Karnal and running long-term furniture courses that allow for full-scale prototyping and exploration.

Miniature Workshops: Across India

Next, we opened our platform to anyone who wished to learn with us through a five-day program. Carrying our tools in a simple trolley bag, we traveled across India—conducting workshops in cafés, studios, and even industrial setups. Along the way, we met the most incredible people—driven learners of all ages and professions—who showed up with open hearts and curious minds. Together, we explored the craft of woodworking, as they built their own miniature chairs alongside us!

Online Courses: Furniture Design

My current focus is on developing specialized online courses in Furniture Design, crafted to guide learners at different stages of their design journey. These courses are open to everyone—no age limits, no prerequisites—just a willingness to learn and create.