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25 May 2026

Sheffalie Jhaveri Wins Two Prestigious Global Awards for Interior Design

Sheffalie Jhaveri, founder of Rutam Intarch, was a winner of the Asia’s Best Residential Interior Design Award at the Asia Architect Design Awards (AADA 2026) and a Silver Winner in the Residential Interior Design (Housing & Apartment) category at the 2026 International Architecture and Design Awards (IADA 2026).

Sheffalie is married to Amish R Jhaveri, son of Jaswantiben and Rajnikantbhai Jhaveri. She is the daughter of Maltiben and Bharat Kantilal Parikh.

These honours were received for her work on Meghavan, a twin-villa retreat in Lonavala.

In a post on Facebook, AADA describes the project as one that “transcends the typical ‘business of design’ to become a soulful sanctuary that celebrates the journey, resilience, and spirit of its octogenarian inhabitants.”

Meghavan has also been commended for its “altruistic design, focusing on the mental, physical, and social well-being of a couple navigating their golden years.”

Innovation at Meghavan is found in its organic adaptability to the challenging climate of Lonavala, which sees nine months of heavy rainfall annually. By selecting durable, high-aesthetic materials like Burma teakwood and natural limestone, Rutam Intarch achieved a breathtaking look that is entirely maintenance-free. This thoughtful approach ensures that the home remains a place of celebration rather than a chore, proving that the future indeed belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams, regardless of age.

The project comprised two villas: one a five-bedroom residence, the other a two-bedroom, both linked by a landscaped garden and pool zone. At its heart is a central garden designed as a social amphitheater with multi-tiered seating, a creative bridge that connects the two villas to foster communal joy while respecting private boundaries.

Sheffalie is a senior architect who founded Rutam Intarch in 1989 and developed it into a studio focused on clarity and spatial intelligence. Leading a lean design team supported by over 100 artisans, Sheffalie remains hands-on, sketching plans and limiting projects to four or five annually to maintain quality.

Expressing her happiness at being chosen for the award, Sheffalie said, “After working silently for so many years, this award is important as it validates my understanding of the craft and what my firm stands for. It shows that my design language is being heard and accepted. To remain relevant, I have never followed trends, but been guided by my innate sense of design and aesthetic which remains dynamic and open-ended, shaped by experience and the demands of a project.”

Sheffalie also expressed gratitude to the human work force that has stood steadfastly with her for more than 25+ years. “After putting the design on paper, it is the site work and discussions with the contractors that help me hone my craft. Giving back to those who brought our visuals to life will always be a priority.”

She also emphasized the role played by her family, “My parents-in-law and husband never held back; they kept nudging me towards excellence. I am also grateful to my parents for exposing me to the worlds of music, dance, philosophy, theater, politics, literature, horse riding and finally to the world of design. They have truly shaped my aesthetic.”