We make conscious impact through collaborative design
COCOA is a young, dynamic architecture and design collective based in Mumbai. Short for Conscious Collaborative Architecture, COCOA is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: great design thrives in collaboration, not isolation.
Founded in 2025 by Rishabh Suvarna — a passionate, forward-thinking architect, COCOA believes that the best designs are born from open, honest conversations. Clients, consultants, craftsmen, and end-users are all essential collaborators in the creative process. Every project is a joint venture, shaped through dialogue, mutual respect, and shared ownership, no matter the project’s type, scale or location.
At COCOA, being conscious means being deeply mindful of place, people, and planet — and oneself. The goal is to design spaces that not only respect their context, but also invite each person to connect with their own sense of awareness. Every decision is made with intention, whether it's selecting local materials, optimizing layouts, or creating comfort — COCOA’s projects are grounded in rigorous research and a sense of deep responsibility.
COCOA's spaces aren’t made just to look good on Instagram (although they do), they are designed for real people, real moments, and real memories. COCOA designs with all five senses in mind. Light, texture, sound and tactility come together to create experiences that feel as good as they look — and stand the test of time.
The team at COCOA loves designing, and not just spaces. The studio thrives on bringing visions to life (along with a cup of cocoa). From furniture, lighting, exhibitions and brand experiences, their work is always guided by the core values of being conscious and engaging in a collaborative design process.
The seeds of COCOA were planted during Rishabh’s college days and have since grown into the multidisciplinary design studio. Born in a small South Indian town and raised in Mumbai, Rishabh holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Mumbai University and a Master’s degree from Virginia Tech. Having worked across multiple Indian states — and traveled across twelve — his journey has been all about soaking in diverse cultural, economic, and social contexts. With experiences ranging from site architect to project lead, Rishabh brings a strong technical foundation and a deep understanding of on-site execution to every project.
A lifelong learner at heart, Rishabh believes that learning and unlearning are the two sides of the same coin. You’ll usually find him exploring new ways to approach design, chasing creative ideas, and occasionally sipping a cup of hot cocoa.
