KKD Studio is reshaping the design process by embedding AI into its core operations — not to replace creativity, but to amplify it. In this exclusive interview with Tejaswini Paranjape, Krish Kothari, Founder of KKD Studio, shares how intelligent systems streamline execution, strengthen client trust, and reinforce the value of human-led design — all while building a model the rest of the industry may soon follow.
Q1. Which areas of your business are currently benefiting the most from AI integration?
AI has significantly improved our internal operations, especially in client communication and reporting. When clients invest in a home or office, they want clear, regular updates. Our AI now sends weekly status reports showing what was planned, what was achieved, and what’s next. It reduces manual effort, removes inconsistencies, and keeps clients informed without the need for constant follow-ups.
Q2. What specific AI tools or platforms have you found most effective for your design and operational needs?
We’ve built a proprietary system integrating four key tools:
– Wrike – for project scheduling and task management
– ChatGPT Enterprise – for parsing and generating content from project documents
– Google Vertex – for analytics and forecasting
– Firefly AI – to convert internal meetings into structured, approvable summary sheets
These tools work in sync within one integrated platform, customized entirely to our workflows. It’s not a toolkit — it’s an operational OS for design execution. We didn’t cobble tools together; we engineered a competitive advantage that now runs our business behind the scenes.
Q3. How has AI improved efficiency or enhanced client satisfaction at KKD Studio?
What once took four weeks — like preparing BOQs or verifying design documentation — now takes three days. It’s faster, more accurate, and scalable. This allows our project managers to focus on execution and creative problem-solving, rather than spreadsheets and admin.
For clients, the impact is immediate: real-time updates, consistent communication, and full visibility into project progress. It’s made our process more professional and predictable. Very few firms in our segment have an AI layer this deep. It’s what allows us to deliver large-scale luxury projects with precision and consistency — without inflating overheads.
Q4. Have you encountered any challenges or limitations in adopting AI, and how did you address them?
In the early days, AI struggled with reading PDFs and interpreting unstructured data. But the pace of development has been staggering. What took a team hours — like comparing vendor quotes with past data — now happens in seconds.
We don’t believe in passive adoption. We actively shape how AI is used in our process. That’s the only way to extract real value — otherwise it becomes another shiny tool with no ROI. Customization has been key. We only deploy what works reliably and can scale across every project.
Q5. Looking ahead, what role do you see AI playing in the future of your business and the broader design industry?
AI will take over repetitive, low-value tasks — layouts, costing, documentation — especially in modular or budget segments. But it can’t replicate emotion or understand nuance. That’s where human-centric design still leads.
We’re not automating design. We’re automating everything that gets in the way of it. Within three years, every serious design firm will either adopt a version of what we’ve built or fall behind. AI won’t remain a competitive edge — it’ll become the new minimum standard.
