In the bustling heart of India’s corporate landscape, where skyscrapers touch ambition and workspaces define identity, stands a company that has redefined what it means to build. Eleganz Interiors Ltd, a 35-year-old stalwart in India’s design and build space, isn’t just constructing offices—it’s crafting experiences, enabling productivity, and helping global companies establish roots in the subcontinent.
At the helm of this remarkable journey is Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa, the company’s Managing Director and CEO, a visionary who has transformed Eleganz Interiors from a traditional family-run business into a cutting-edge listed enterprise. We decided to sit for a special interview with the MD and CEO of the company to dive deeper into the company’s overall portfolio and business operations.
Business Connect: Could you please brief us on the inception story of your business venture?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: The story of Eleganz began in 1988, founded by Mr. Akshay Pakvasa as a boutique interior contracting firm catering to niche commercial clients. The shift from a small-scale operation to a corporate powerhouse began when I joined the company in 1999. Armed with ambition, business acumen, and a deep understanding of client psychology, I was responsible for bringing structure, scalability, and vision to the brand.
What started as a traditional interiors firm has today become India’s only listed company specializing in design and building interior corporate fit-outs. Eleganz Interiors now manages over 40 active projects across the country with a workforce of 400+ and has executed more than 40 million square feet of work to date.
At its core, Eleganz Interiors offers end-to-end design and build solutions. From conceptual design, technical detailing, procurement, and engineering to final execution, we manage every facet of workspace creation. Our offerings cover civil works, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), modular furniture, acoustic treatments, lighting, IOT, sustainability features, and more. What truly sets us apart is our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility powered by German automation that enables high-volume production of custom-built furniture, panels, and finishes at scale and precision.
While interior fit-outs remain their mainstay, I am also exploring the future in Greenfield construction and full-fledged EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) projects in the coming years— especially for netzero buildings and sustainable campuses for blue-chip companies. This strategic expansion will allow the firm to serve clients from the ground up, literally.
Business Connect: How did you build your core leadership team at Eleganz?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: Every great company is built by great people, and Eleganz is no exception. I have been personally involved in assembling a team of leaders who bring both experience and energy. Many senior managers and directors have grown within the company, their careers blossoming as the business scaled. Eleganz empowers individuals by fostering a flat hierarchy, encouraging cross-functional collaboration, and investing in both skill and mindset development.
Business Connect: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned as a CEO, and how has it impacted your leadership style?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: “Clarity creates velocity.” This philosophy has defined my leadership style, and I believe that clear communication, defined goals, and trust in people accelerate results. While I remain deeply involved in strategic decisions and client relations, I am also a mentor who believes in building leaders, not followers. My focus is not on micromanaging; instead, it is on enabling teams to take ownership, solve problems creatively, and push boundaries.
Business Connect: How is your company synchronizing with the latest technological advancements in the market?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: Eleganz Interiors has embraced technology not just as a tool but as a strategic advantage. Every project is run on SaaS and ERP platforms, allowing real-time tracking, transparent documentation, and seamless collaboration. The company is currently investing in an AI-powered solution that will integrate various functions of the company’s operations, making it one of the most digitally forward construction companies in India. Our smart factory in Mumbai is another marvel of modern tech—equipped with CNC routers, automated saws, and painting booths. This facility ensures that much of the work is done off-site, reducing errors, delays, and on-site disruption.
Business Connect: How do you ensure the quality of services in your company?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: One of the most sacred values at Eleganz is its uncompromising stand on quality. Whether it’s a high-performance acoustic panel, an imported lighting fixture, or the grain of a wooden desk, every element is tested, reviewed, and installed to perfection. We have a multi-tiered quality control process that includes internal checklists, third-party audits, ISO certifications, and client-side approvals. Materials are inspected before dispatch and at the site, ensuring every shipment meets both technical and aesthetic benchmarks. This obsession with quality isn’t just internal; clients see it, experience it, and return because of it.
Business Connect: What kind of clients do you serve? Please enlist some names. How are you winning their faith?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: Eleganz’s portfolio is a testament to the trust global giants place in them. Our clientele includes Fortune 100 companies. Many of these are repeat clients—a sign that once a company partners with Eleganz, they rarely look elsewhere. So how does Eleganz win their faith? It’s through transparency, speed, cost optimization, and deep respect for timelines. We are known for value engineering—removing bloated specifications, sourcing intelligently, and passing cost benefits to the client without compromising on design intent.
Business Connect: How is R&D helping you to take your company to the next level?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: Eleganz believes in the power of continuous learning and experimentation. Our R&D division—though informal in structure—is deeply ingrained in the culture. Teams study global trends, material performance, sustainable practices, and user behavior to constantly evolve. Whether it’s testing new materials for fire retardancy or developing energyefficient layouts, innovation is a daily practice at Eleganz. A recent internal initiative involved mapping how natural light impacts employee productivity, which was then incorporated into workspace layouts for several IT and banking clients.
Business Connect: Please enlist your exclusive approach to the marketing of your products/services.
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: Eleganz invests in storytelling. Our marketing strategy is built around thought leadership, real project showcases, and client testimonials. We don’t advertise aggressively—instead, we host experience walkthroughs at our projects and design centers, giving potential clients a first-hand feel of quality. We also maintain a digital presence that highlights our design ethos, people, and legacy. The brand speaks of sophistication, trust, and bold thinking—something that aligns with the vision of modern Indian enterprises.
Business Connect: Please highlight your competitive advantages and also tell us why they can’t be copied.
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: Eleganz isn’t easy to copy. Our vertical integration—design, procurement, manufacturing, execution—is tightly controlled and systemized. Our vendor base, procurement team, and in-house talent give them an unmatched speed and price advantage. While others outsource or patch together services, Eleganz delivers a seamless, holistic experience. Our ability to handle mega-projects with the nimbleness of a boutique firm is rare. Moreover, our trusted relationships with OEMs and bulk material suppliers allow us to pass on volume benefits to clients while maintaining superior quality.
Business Connect: What gives you an edge over your peers, and how is your company different from others in the same arena? Please mention some of your fortes.
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: What sets Eleganz apart is its seamless vertical integration—design, procurement, manufacturing, and execution are all managed in-house. This allows us to deliver faster, maintain tighter quality control, and optimize costs for clients. Our smart factory, deep vendor network, and in-house talent pool give us unmatched agility. Unlike peers who often outsource, we offer a holistic, boutique-like service even for millionsquare-foot projects. Our fortes include precision-led execution, value engineering, client transparency, and a forward-thinking design ethos that blends functionality with innovation.
Business Connect: What are the methods used from your end to keep your employees motivated? What recreational approaches do you implement to maintain their enthusiasm?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: In an industry known for stress and burnout, Eleganz focuses on building a human-first culture. Employees are given the opportunity to grow, innovate, and take ownership. Performance bonuses, rewards, and recognitions are part of the ecosystem. The company hosts town halls, family days, learning sessions, and offsite retreats to keep morale high. We also believe in mental wellness, flexible roles, and aligning personal purpose with professional roles. It’s not just about building projects—it’s about building people.
Business Connect: Would you like to highlight the achievements and accolades attained by Eleganz Interiors so far?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: In the last three years alone, Eleganz Interiors has delivered some of India’s most complex and high-value interior projects, including a 7 lakh sq ft campus in Bengaluru. We have also completed a landmark project in Singapore for a leading global technology company, further cementing our international credentials. In 2024, I was featured in Entrepreneurs of the Year and honored with the Outlook Business India Award, in addition to being recognized among the Top 50 Architects in India and receiving several other prestigious accolades. But perhaps the biggest achievement is intangible—the trust of global clients, the loyalty of our people, and the pride of having transformed India’s workspace landscape.
Business Connect: Please shine some light on the future endeavors of Eleganz Interiors.
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: The future for Eleganz is bold. We are already partnering with clients across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, steadily expanding our presence beyond the metros. With a strong foundation in place, we are now exploring opportunities in Tier 3 cities to further strengthen Eleganz’s footprint across the country. The way forward dream is to take on full EPC contracts in the coming years, especially for net-zero commercial buildings. A new design-only vertical is also being launched under the subbrand “Studio by Eleganz,” which will cater to premium clients looking for design strategy, wellness consulting, and sustainability in workplace planning.
Business Connect: Would you like to share some words of wisdom that you would like to convey to the aspiring entrepreneurs and the readers of our magazine on behalf of Eleganz Interiors?
Sammeer Akshay Pakvasa: “Don’t chase money. Chase value, solve real problems, and the money will come. Be brutally honest with yourself and your team. And always, always play the long game. Legacy isn’t something you build at the end—it’s something you craft every single day.”
