THE FIRM
Afnan & Arun co-founded Humming Tree , it’s primarily an architecture practice based in Calicut, Kerala for Art I Architecture I Design. With 12+ years of experience our studio constantly explores architecture & design quintessence by measuring projects on their impact and inclusive dialogue among context, geometry, and visual expression.
Afnan & Arun met at university while studying architecture in Bijapur. After uni days, Afnan worked for a couple of months in Kerala, where [Afnan] interned with Rajesh, Techno Architects, and [Arun] with Praveen Bavadekar, Thirdspace Studio. They gained significant insights from them on effective collaboration and the use of colors and forms in a matrix.
“The way we work now—our designs, our processes—our entire life, actually—is a collaboration. Our combined experiences shape our unique perspective and approach to design. While it can be challenging when two different sensibilities offer contrasting options, it ultimately enriches the dialogue and strengthens the outcome,” says Arun.
Their work is distinguished by its versatility in addressing complex programs through a deep understanding of user needs, context, and materiality. The studio is committed to showcasing sensitivity to time, seamlessly integrating new elements with existing environments. We aim to collaborate with like-minded individuals to create projects and products that elevate everyday life—’just Magnifique’.
Ar. Mohammed Afnan
founder
Afnan’s passion for design extends beyond architecture. As the principal at Humming Tree, a design studio that fosters hands-on experimentation, he brings over a decade of experience to the table. In addition to his role at the studio, Afnan has served as a guest faculty member in the Architecture Department at the National Institute of Technology, Calicut. He has spoken on various platforms and participated in panel discussions at prominent events, including the IIA Kerala Chapter Convention 2022, Rajasthan Architecture Festival 2023, iDAC Hyderabad 2.0 Expo 2023, and the Architects & Interiors India iGEN Design Forum 2024.
“I approach our work in the studio with the belief that design enhances the human experience and enriches the way we live. Our aim is to create work that leaves an emotional imprint, using the language of harmony to inspire a desire for deeper experience,” says Afnan.
A recognized figure in the architecture community, Afnan has held key positions such as Joint Secretary at the IIA Calicut Center (2019–2022) and Country Representative for ARCASIA’s Asian Committee of Young Architects in 2023. His contributions establish him as a formidable presence in the field
Ar. Arun Shekar
founder
An avid traveler and artist, Arun carries his experiences openly. As Co-Founder of Humming Tree, Arun began his creative journey at the age of 14. His thought process is deconstructed, surrealist, and often “off the track.” Arun moved to Bijapur at 18 and briefly enrolled at BLDEA’s School of Architecture. In 2013, a year after graduating, he co-founded Humming Tree with Afnan. Arun also spent five years as a design faculty member at the MES School of Architecture. His designs exhibit a childlike spirit and sense of freedom, often characterized by asymmetrical forms and repetition.
“It is in trusting the creative process and then letting go that I find joy and possibility,” says Arun. His playful approach to design has earned him speaking and panelist invitations at events such as the Adizya Architecture Fest at the National Institute of Technology Calicut 2023, Foaid India 2023, Nippon Paint – Color Vision 2024, and iDAC Mumbai Expo 2024.
Kavitha K
ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER
Kavitha brings over 18 years of expertise to the table. With a background in customer relations and marketing, she excels in guiding our office through client communication and coordination. In the real estate sector, she has navigated the complexities of property development and management, honing a keen eye for detail and a talent for meaningful conversations.
Outside the boardroom, Kavita finds solace in the world of words. An avid writer, she crafts compelling narratives that captivate audiences and inspire fresh perspectives
THE TEAM
At Humming Tree, the team is passionate about designing spaces that inspire, transform, and improve how people live and work. Their design philosophy revolves around harmonizing with nature, optimizing space, and integrating natural materials, lighting, and landscapes to enrich the built environment.
With a strong focus on customization and meticulous attention to detail, Humming Tree seeks to balance functionality, aesthetics, context, climate, materials, cost, and timelines in every project. Sustainability, integrity in design, and client satisfaction are the cornerstones of their success.
Whether tackling large-scale commercial ventures or crafting intimate residential spaces, the Humming Tree team remains dedicated to delivering innovative and distinctive design solutions.
COLLABORATORS
• HEXA MEP Solutions LLP
• Austen MEP Solutions
• JVS Electronics PVT. LTD
• Justin Sebastian
• Turtle Arts
• Cove Community
• Gokul Rao
• Syam Sreesylam
• Jubin
• Yaami
• Shijo
• Dinesh Madhavan
PUBLICATIONS
RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
- 2024
- • Awarded Architecture + Design TOP FIFTY architects in India for the year 2024.
- • Awarded Architects & Interiors India: HOT 100, Unveiling India’s HOT 100 architects and interior designers!
- • Awarded Architectural Digest: AD100, The 100 most influential names in Architecture and Design for 2024 in India.
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2023 - • Ar. Arjun from Humming Tree listed along with India's top 50 Architects and Designer under 40.
- • Awarded Architectural Digest: AD100, The 100 most influential names in Architecture and Design for 2023 in India.
- • Awarded Good Homes Winners of THE D/LIST 2023 SECOND EDITION in India.
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2020 - • Winner of Indian Institute of Interior Designers “Young Practice of the Year 2020.”
- • Winner of Indian Institute of Interior Designers“Commercial Workspace – Hello Yellow”.
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2019 - • Winner, Trends Excellence Awards for Architecture & Design, Commendation, PADDOCK- Car display Space, Kerala.
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2018 - • Awarded as i GEN Top 50 Inspiring Designers & Icons of tomorrow by ARCHITECTS AND INTERIORS India.
- • Winner of Indian Institute of Interior Designers, Excellence Awards, India. Zone 1, Commercial Workspace Large – for The O2.
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2017 - • Awarded as i GEN Top 50 Inspiring Designers & Icons of tomorrow by ARCHITECTS AND INTERIORS India.
- • Awarded, FOAID Berger Architecture Ideas, India. Gold Winner, Best Interior Commercial for ‘The O2’.
- • Awarded, DAF ( Delhi Architecture Festival ) India. – Winner of Best Product Design – Category for Re-Defining Charukasera.
- • Awarded, Behance Portfolio Reviews, Kerala, India. – Winner of Best Design Portfolio.
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2016 - • Awarded, 361 Degree Design Conference Mumbai, India. – Winner of the Young Designers Award for Re-Defining Charukasera.
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2013 - • Awarded Designer Of The World Award. – Winner of Best Futuristic Architectural Project for Floating Hub
- • Awarded R+ DESIGNER RANKING. – Ranked as #868th Best Designer of the World for Floating Hub.
- • Awarded A’ Design Award & Competition, Como, Italy. – Winner of Futuristic Category for Floating Hub.
- • Awarded Degree & Profession Virtual Expo and International Award, Florence, Italy. – Winner in Sixth place for most voted project within the International degree database
- 2024
- 2024 Awarded Architects & Interiors India: HOT 100, Unveiling India’s HOT 100 architects and interior designers!
- 2024 Awarded Architectural Digest: AD100, The 100 most influential names in Architecture and Design for 2024 in India.
- 2023
- 2023 Awarded Architectural Digest: AD100, The 100 most influential names in Architecture and Design for 2023 in India.
- 2023 Awarded Good Homes Winners of THE D/LIST 2023 SECOND EDITION in India.
- 2023 Featured in AD 100
- 2023 Featured in Good Homes
- 2023 Featured in Architect and Interiors India
- 2020
- 2020 Winner of Indian Institute of Interior Designers “Young Practice of the Year 2020.”
- 2020 Winner of Indian Institute of Interior Designers“Commercial Workspace – Hello Yellow”.
- 2020 Afnan & Arun Featured on GQ FASHION MAGAZINE for style
- 2020 IIID winner "Young Practice of the Year."
- 2020 IIID winner "Commercial Workspace Hello Yellow".
- 2020 IID Runnerup "Retail - PADDOCK".
- 2020 IID Commendation "Weekendhome".
- 2020 Bedroom Edit Featured DECOR on ELLE
- 2020 Weekend home Featured on AD,
- 2020 Featured on De51. Singapore Revelations, product design.
- 2020 Featured on Office Snap shots, Hello Yellow Office space, Kerala.
- 2020 Humming Tree Featured on AD.
- 2020 Featured on The Architects Diary, Hello Yellow Office space, Kerala.
- 2020 Featured on Good Homes Magazine, Hello Yellow Office space, Kerala
- 2020 Featured on Elle decor Magazine, Hello Yellow Office space, Kerala.
- 2020 Featured on Architect & Interiors India, Hello Yellow Office space, Kerala.
- 2020 Featured on Better Interiors, Hello Yellow Office space, Kerala.
- 2020 Featured on Design Essentia, Hello Yellow Office space, Kerala
- 2019
- 2019 Winner, Trends Excellence Awards for Architecture & Design, Commendation, PADDOCK- Car display Space, Kerala.
- 2019 Featured on Archello, Bachelors pad, Kerala.
- 2019 Featured on Architecture Digest India, Hello Yellow Office space, Kerala.
- 2019 Featured on India Today Home, Revelations, Kerala.
- 2019 Featured on India Design ID, Revelations, Kerala.
- 2019 Featured on Designer + builder Magazine, Bachelors pad, Kerala.
- 2019 Featured on Trends Magazine, Paddock Car display, Kerala
- 2019 Featured on Grazia, Bachelors pad, Kerala.
- 2019 Featured on Design Pataki , Bachelors pad, Kerala.
- 2019 Featured on Elle Decor, Bachelor’s Pad, Kerala.
- 2019 Featured on Architectural Digest, Humming Tree’s Home Office, Kerala.
- 2019 Trends Excellence Awards for Architecture & Design, Commendation, PADDOCK- Car display Space, Kerala.
- 2018
- 2018 Awarded as i GEN Top 50 Inspiring Designers & Icons of tomorrow by ARCHITECTS AND INTERIORS India.
- 2018 Winner of Indian Institute of Interior Designers, Excellence Awards, India. Zone 1, Commercial Workspace Large – for The O2.
- 2018 Featured in SURFACE REPORTER Magazine, Nov Issue, as Rising Stars
- 2018 Featured in CONTEMPORARY FACADES, Top Indian residential Exterior & Interiors for ‘House of Muted Hues‘
- 2018 Featured on the Cover for ARCHITECTS AND INTERIORS India, Vol 10/ Issue 2/ August _ i GEN 2018 Awards
- 2018 – Awarded as i GEN Top 50 Inspiring Designers & Icons of tomorrow by ARCHITECTS AND INTERIORS India.
- 2018 Featured in INSIDE OUTSIDE, May _ ‘House of Muted Hues‘
- 2018 Featured in ARCHITECTS & INTERIORS, Vol 10 /Issue 1 /April _ ‘The O2’ Work space
- 2018 IIID Design Excellence Awards, India. Zone 1 Winner, Commercial Workspace Large – for The O2.
- 2017
- 2017 Winner, Vanitha Veedu Architecture Awards, Kerala, India.
- 2017 Awarded, FOAID Berger Architecture Ideas, India. Gold Winner, Best Interior Commercial for ‘The O2’.
- 2017 Awarded, DAF ( Delhi Architecture Festival ) India. – Winner of Best Product Design – Category for Re-Defining Charukasera.
- 2017 Awarded, Behance Portfolio Reviews, Kerala, India. – Winner of Best Design Portfolio.
- 2017 FOAID Berger Architecture Ideas, India. Gold Winner, Best Interior Commercial for ‘The O2’.
- 2017 Vanitha Veedu Architecture Awards, Kerala, India. – Winner of Best Commercial Project, Interior Category for The O2.
- 2017 FOAID Berger Architecture Ideas, Delhi, India. – Nominated & Top 3 finalist in Best Commercial Project – Interior for ‘The O2’.
- 2017 DAF ( Delhi Architecture Festival ), Delhi, India. – Winner of Best Product Design – Category for Re-Defining Charukasera.
- 2017 Behance Portfolio Reviews, Kerala, India. – Winner of Best Design Portfolio.
- 2016
- 2016 361 Degree Design Conference Mumbai, India. – Winner of Young Designers Award for Re-Defining Charukasera.
- 2016 Featured in IIA _ TRACE Crossroads with award winning among Kerala Architects, Calicut, India.
- 2016 DAC – Designer Of The World Award. – Winner of Best Futuristic Architectural Project for Floating Hub.
- 2016 Featured in I A&B Magazine, February Issue.
- 2016 R+ DESIGNER RANKING. – Ranked as #868th Best Designer of the World for Floating Hub.
- 2016 A’ Design Award & Competition, Como, Italy. – Winner of Futuristic Category for Floating Hub.
- 2016 Degree & Profession Virtual Expo and International Award, Florence, Italy. – Winner in Sixth place for most voted project within the International degree database.
- 2013
- 2013 Awarded Designer Of The World Award. – Winner of Best Futuristic Architectural Project for Floating Hub
- 2013 Awarded R+ DESIGNER RANKING. – Ranked as #868th Best Designer of the World for Floating Hub.
- 2013 Awarded A’ Design Award & Competition, Como, Italy. – Winner of Futuristic Category for Floating Hub.
- 2013 Awarded Degree & Profession Virtual Expo and International Award, Florence, Italy. – Winner in Sixth place for most voted project within the International degree database