From the corporate corridors of New York and Pune to the bespoke interiors of Goa, Urban Sketch is a tale of transformation, vision, and artistic grit. Founded by Isha Navelker, a former computer engineer turned interior designer, the firm has carved a niche in offering exclusive spatial and design solutions across residential, commercial, hospitality, and retail domains.
A Journey from Code to Canvas
Isha Navelker, an alumnus of Padre Conceicao College of Engineering, began her career as a software professional with Tata Consultancy Services. However, her heart was never far from design. With a deep-seated love for history, culture, and well-crafted spaces, her travels sparked a yearning to transform interiors into experiences. This desire soon translated into action. After four years in tech, she made the bold decision to pursue her creative calling full-time.
Supported by her husband, Amar Karapurkar — also a computer engineer and a project management professional with a Master’s from the UK — Isha began her design journey from her own home. The duo soon became the backbone of Urban Sketch, with Isha leading design ideation and Amar overseeing project management and liasoning.
Interestingly, Isha’s exposure to the world of interiors started much earlier. With her family deeply rooted in the plywood and décor retail business, she grew up flipping through Inside Outside design magazines, imagining her dream spaces. This early affinity eventually laid the foundation for Urban Sketch.
The Spark that Ignited a Practice
The expansion of the family’s business became the perfect springboard for Isha. She took charge of designing part of their new outlet — a project that offered hands-on exposure and instilled the confidence to take on professional assignments. Her big break came with a commercial client who greenlit her design in the very first presentation. The project was a resounding success, and the relationship has flourished ever since.
A Philosophy Rooted in Personality and Precision
At Urban Sketch, the ethos is clear: create spaces that are a true extension of the people who inhabit them. Isha and her team strive for a balance between functionality and elegance, tailoring every element to the client’s needs. The firm’s design philosophy emphasizes timeless sophistication while ensuring that no two projects ever look or feel the same.
Every engagement begins with a thorough client consultation, allowing Isha to decode individual preferences, lifestyle patterns, and spatial aspirations. From this initial dialogue, mood boards and conceptual sketches take shape — setting the tone for what’s to come.
A Strategic, Client-Centric Workflow
The project lifecycle at Urban Sketch is a carefully orchestrated sequence. After the client briefing, the team proposes a design and execution quote, followed by mood boards and spatial concepts. Once the layout is approved, detailed 2D plans and 3D renderings offer visual clarity, allowing clients to walk through their spaces virtually before construction begins.
Material and furniture sourcing comes next — a phase marked by quality, budget sensitivity, and extensive pan-India vendor coordination. With Amar’s expertise, project management is meticulous, and timelines are upheld with military precision.
Execution involves close collaboration with skilled professionals, from carpenters and painters to electricians and decorators. Regular site visits ensure that the envisioned design is translated seamlessly into reality. The final stages focus on styling, accessorizing, and adding those personalized finishing touches that define Urban Sketch interiors. Even post-handover, the firm offers aftercare support — a commitment to excellence that few competitors can claim.
Merging Creativity with Usability
A defining strength of Urban Sketch is its ability to marry creative ambition with real-world utility. Whether designing a cozy family home, a bustling retail store, or a chic office space, the team puts user experience at the forefront. Practical storage, ergonomic layouts, and movement-friendly design form the base, upon which textures, color palettes, and statement pieces are layered.
Each design is responsive to its context and client. Feedback is not just welcomed — it is integral. This open, iterative process ensures that no detail is overlooked, and every space feels intuitive and personal.
Navigating Challenges with Foresight
Project management in interior design often encounters shifting site conditions, evolving client preferences, and the complex coordination of multiple teams. Urban Sketch counters these with thorough site assessments, structured weekly meetings, and an insistence on finalizing key decisions before execution begins. This clarity from the outset minimizes delays and cost overruns.
Designing for a Better Tomorrow
Sustainability isn’t a buzzword at Urban Sketch—it’s embedded in their practice. The firm promotes eco-conscious choices, such as using low-VOC finishes, modular furniture, and smart lighting systems. Isha also works with clients to donate reusable materials, reducing waste and promoting circular design.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
To stay current, Isha continually immerses herself in the evolving world of design. From attending industry events and webinars to following global design platforms and experimenting with new materials, she ensures that every Urban Sketch project reflects the latest thinking in interior innovation.
Urban Sketch isn’t just a design firm; it’s a manifestation of personal transformation and professional excellence. Guided by a passion for aesthetics, an unwavering focus on practicality, and a strong foundation in project execution, the firm continues to redefine spaces with heart and precision.
In every room, hallway, and corner they design, there’s a story — and it all begins with a sketch.
