By Mewati Sitaram
The city’s design fraternity traded drafting tables for pickleball racquets on Sunday as the Architect Pickleball Tour 2025 unfolded at Andheri Sports Club. What began as a sporting experiment turned into a vibrant celebration of sport, creativity and community, drawing more than 85 architects and interior designers into a day of rallies, rivalries and camaraderie.
The championship transformed routine studio discussions into spirited contests on the court. More than 50 matches were played through the day, with participants showing surprising flair and enthusiasm for a game many were trying for the first time. The doubles format encouraged player rotation, ensuring that peers and rivals engaged with one another in equal measure.
The finals added drama with tense rallies and smart tactical play that kept the crowd engaged. In Men’s Doubles, Abhijit Madbhavi and Ashutosh Madbhavi clinched the winners’ trophy, while Husain Jariwala and Amar Jhaveri finished runners-up. The Mixed Doubles event saw Rupesh Shah and Janhavi Damania lift the title, as Amar Jhaveri and Zill Jhaveri took second place after a spirited run.
Every point won drew loud cheers from the sidelines, as the audience applauded not just the champions but the collective spirit of participation. The event concluded with a lively prize distribution and networking session where designers, colleagues and sponsors reflected on the day and explored opportunities to collaborate beyond the court.
Gauri Verma, Founder of I_ignite Inc. and organiser of the tournament, said the Architect Pickleball Tour was never just about the sport but about building lasting relationships and celebrating the spirit of collaboration within the architect and design community. She added that the overwhelming participation and passion displayed this year highlighted the true power of community and shared experiences.
The championship drew support from industry partners including Creanza Crafts, ARC ONE, VASA Speciality Steels (P) Ltd., and Heritage Marble Pvt. Ltd., brands that share values of innovation, craftsmanship and design excellence.
As the sun dipped over Andheri, the sense of accomplishment was unmistakable. For Mumbai’s design community, the APB Tour proved that creativity thrives not just in studios and construction sites but also on the pickleball court.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
