Shubhada Mundle: Lighting Design Visionary

The path of an electrical engineer who turned vision into a lighting design venture

In the constantly changing world of architectural design lighting often plays second fiddle a design aspect that puts on the ambiance, stirs feelings, and brings alive space. For some in the field which including myself, I have found that light is not just a design element but a narrative tool which this remarkable woman has been using to transform how people interact with architecture over the ten-year course.

Introducing Shubhada Mundle, the Founder at Gaush Lighting Design Consultants. Her name has become synonymous with creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit in the realm of architectural lighting design.

Driven by passion and purpose, and steadfast in her resolve, Shubhada’s journey represents a vibrant tapestry that not only shapes physical environments but also paves the way for women’s entrepreneurship throughout India and beyond.

A Call That’s Full of Light

Shubhada Mundle’s entrance into the lighting industry was entirely unplanned. With a degree in Electrical Engineering, she was on the path to a technical career, heavily influenced by her father, a prominent electrical contractor. She remains inspired by her father’s strong work ethic and business acumen. Growing up amidst electrical systems and her father’s thriving enterprise, she was enthusiastic about immersing herself in this field.

“I always aspired to create something of my own,” Shubhada reflected. Although she was unsure of what that would be, she never imagined it would involve lighting design until she unexpectedly delved deep into it.

It was architectural lighting that transformed her perspective, setting her on a new trajectory. Since then, she has embarked on an independent journey, refining her expertise over seven years at some top lighting design firms where she absorbed every detail about the profession. What began as a simple curiosity evolved into a passion—an art form that allowed her to channel her engineering precision into captivating visual narratives.

Creating Gaush: A Dream Come True

In April 2019, with a wealth of expertise, I contemplated the future vision that led Shubhada Mundle to establish Gaush Lighting Design Consultants as an organized system for lighting solutions. From the very beginning, it was clear that her mission was to design lighting that is not only technically proficient but also deeply human, sensory, and evocative. “At Gaush, we don’t just illuminate spaces; we create atmosphere and tell our stories,” she states, her tone confident and unwavering.

Nestled in the shadows of her studio and backed by her firm, her business swiftly became a crucial player in the industry, tackling everything from high-end homes and urban environments to theaters, building facades, and outdoor parks. The essence of Gaush lies in its collaborative spirit. Each project begins with a focus on understanding the client’s vision, the architect’s intentions, and the emotional context desired for the space. This collaboration continues through the design phase and culminates in the installation by a team dedicated to crafting lighting environments that blend aesthetic appeal with practicality.

What Truly Sets Gaush Apart from the Rest?

In a landscape where solutions often appear very similar, Gaush stands out by showcasing its distinctiveness. The focus is not just on enabling the country to personalize shirts, but rather, this customization is fundamentally embedded within the company, ensuring that each design is truly unique.

The examples include enhancing home modules with ambient lighting, as is claimed, or emphasizing a historic structure tailored to reflect its specific context and time in history.

As illustrated by Shubhada Mundle, “We are using light to tell stories.” Each environment has its own narrative, and our role is to illuminate that narrative for the audience. Gaush embodies the pinnacle of design innovation, particularly in the realms of smart and sustainable lighting. The company demonstrates its commitment to energy-efficient designs and adaptable lighting solutions that change throughout the day, underscoring what effective lighting should encompass.

Rising Strong in a Male Centric Domain

In a society where men frequently take the lead, Shubhada Mundle’s path has undeniably faced numerous challenges. In the early stages of her career, she often experienced the pressure to showcase her technical abilities and creativity—occasionally even more than her male counterparts.

“There were moments when I had to exert double the effort just to ensure my voice was acknowledged,” she reminisces. “However, I chose deliberately to allow my accomplishments to speak for themselves.”

Currently, her achievements strongly validate that perspective. She has not only created her own distinctive niche in the industry, but she has also become a source of inspiration for women aiming to break the glass ceiling in technology and design fields. Via her business, she actively fights for women in the workforce, inspiring them to pursue leadership roles and challenge current standards.

A Day in Shubhada Mundle’s Life

Shubhada Mundle describes entrepreneurship as “an act of pursuit”, like chasing the sunrise—it’s a never ending pursuit that motivates, inspires, and in some cases, drains you.

Her daily routine is colorful as it goes from workshops of technical deep dives, client meetings, guiding her team, and much more. Along with design research, literature research, and trend research, she is busy with site visits and design evaluations.

Her daily agenda is simple, but that does not fail to ground her and instill an incredible sense of purpose. “Bringing something new every single day into this world is so powerful,” Shubhada explains.

Mundle’s schedule is just like any other entrepreneur, but she finds time to grab a hot cup of chai with her family, enjoy a quiet evening stroll, or three chapters into an engrossing novel. Inclusion of these elements of self-care is striking because balance and perfection seldom cross paths. For her, balance means total presence and engagement in the moment.

The Clients Who Trust the Light

As Shubhada Mundle describes, Gaush has collaborated with an impressive array of clients such as renowned architects, talented interior designers, developers, and also individual homeowners. What unites them is an appreciation for quality and attention to detail, along with a forward-thinking mindset.

Mundle says, “No matter if a project is large or small scale, we dedicate our complete focus to it.” “It’s about making a difference, not merely finishing a job.” This commitment captures how Gaush successfully upholds customer satisfaction while delivering exceptional service.

This unwavering method has fostered enduring trust, leading to countless referrals and positioning Gaush as a reputable name in the lighting design field.

On Being a Women Entrepreneur in India

Confronting unique obstacles like limited opportunities and social recognition, women entrepreneurs in India face even greater difficulties compared to their male peers, as the supportive framework barely alleviates the pressure. In any case, Shubhada Mundle.

“According to her, a different group of women appears to be rising up and taking charge, not seeking approval, and setting their own standards for what guidance signifies for them.”

This demonstrates that anything can be achieved with the appropriate vision, direction, and determination. Shubhada values her mentors, as well as her colleagues and family, who have been instrumental in her journey and have played a crucial role in her achievements.

Current Challenges and Future Aspirations

Despite enjoying years of triumph, the path remains challenging. “Achieving the correct equilibrium between creativity and operations is consistently challenging,” states Shubhada Mundle. “You aim to expand the limits of what art can achieve, yet you also have budgets, deadlines, and teams to oversee.” Staying updated on the newest technologies and trends in her field is an ongoing struggle, yet for her, these challenges fuel a passion that promotes her growth.

Regarding her objectives, she aims to expand Gaush’s market operations, enhance connections within the industry, and initiate training for the upcoming generation of female lighting designers.

Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs

Shubhada Mundle conveys a powerful message to women aspiring to be entrepreneurs: Remain committed. Take an additional step. Develop your unique approach. “Don’t hold out for the flawless time or the perfect strategy.” Begin at your current location, utilizing your existing resources. “Continue pursuing your objectives and don’t allow your confidence to diminish,” she advises.

She discusses the significance of having a mentor and how failures can serve as learning experiences. Always stay true to who you are. “In other words, ‘True success isn’t merely achieving greatness; it’s about lifting others up,’” she adds.

Celebrating Milestones

Acknowledging achievements is consistently positive. Gaush Lighting Design Consultants have received recognitions for esteemed projects and participated in industry panels and design exhibitions. Consequently, they have gained acknowledgment and respect. Shubhada Mundle, on the other hand, considers the most significant milestones to be quite personal. Included in the highlighted milestones are acquiring the initial significant client, slowly building a team, and experiencing the numerous times a customer enters a space and exclaims “Wow.”

“These are the instances that stay in your mind.” They inspire you to remember the motivations for choosing this journey.

A Light That Guides

As the design industry evolves quickly, it’s not surprising that one might overlook the profound, enduring elements of design that truly set it apart. For Shubhada Mundle, the founder of Gaush Lighting Design Consultants, her creations revolve around one core idea—the experience. Light serves not merely as an instrument to illuminate an area; it is an artwork capable of transforming the essence of the surroundings. Shubhada, synonymous with innovative lighting design, believes that effective lighting goes beyond merely being a source of illumination. “It creates an atmosphere,” she highlights, showing how light can affect emotions, trigger memories, and alter one’s view of the surroundings. For her, this is not just a design, but pure magic itself.

Her path to lighting design was challenging, yet it stemmed from a true passion to enhance the beauty of the environments we inhabit. As a business owner, she embraced risks and discovered a method to blend creativity with commerce. She encountered numerous obstacles, such as handling technical aspects, overseeing various projects, and assisting clients in understanding the significance of lighting. Yet every obstacle only strengthened her resolve. She holds that light is an essential component of our experiences.

Her projects encompass diverse environments, ranging from luxurious residences to contemporary workplaces and community art. Each project she undertakes reflects her distinctive flair, blending functionality with aesthetics and emotion. Whether she’s establishing a cozy ambiance in a restaurant or a vibrant environment in an office, her designs truly embody the influence of light.

For Shubhada, a space isn’t merely about illumination; it ought to evoke feelings within you. Her creations do more than just appear attractive; they narrate a tale of how light conveys messages and influences experiences. Her arrangement of light fixtures can attract your focus, highlight interesting architectural elements, or establish warm pathways that influence how individuals engage with the area.

By consistently pushing the limits of what lighting can achieve, she goes beyond being just a designer, she is an authentic pioneer in her field, crafting spaces that remain etched in your mind long after you leave. In a realm abundant with both darkness and brightness, Shubhada demonstrates that a single strategically placed light can create a significant impact. With her imaginative designs and enthusiasm for her craft, she demonstrates the strength of light. It’s not only about what we observe; it’s about the emotions it evokes in us.

Born to Illuminate: The Journey of Shubhada Mundle in Lighting Design