Building with Hands, Heart and Humanity: The Story of Masons Ink
Masons Ink was born from the shared vision of Sridevi and Rosie, whose professional journeys began at the Auroville Earth Institute. Their early exposure to mud as a building material and their hands-on experience at construction sites introduced them to a very different way of approaching architecture. Years spent in Auroville, surrounded by a sustainable way of life, deeply influenced their perspective and eventually shaped the practice they would go on to build—one rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship and people.
Their journey was also driven by a desire to address two important challenges within the construction industry. Construction remains one of the world’s most polluting industries, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions, and the founders felt a responsibility to explore more sustainable ways of building. At the same time, they observed that although women were present on construction sites, they were rarely given opportunities to move into skilled or leadership roles. This became another important purpose behind Masons Ink: creating dignified opportunities for women while demonstrating that sustainability and inclusivity can be an integral part of architecture.
Starting young came with its own share of doubts and uncertainties. At a time when conversations around sustainability and heritage were not as prominent as they are today, Sridevi and Rosie often wondered where their projects would come from, whether clients would trust them with their dream homes and whether they could successfully run their practice. Their early years were filled with challenges, but rather than viewing them as setbacks, they chose to see each experience as a lesson. Every project became an opportunity to listen, document, learn and improve, helping them gradually build both their confidence and the trust of their clients.
Over the years, several milestones reinforced their belief in what they were building. Completing their first project gave them the confidence to move forward, while representing South Asia at various UN climate conferences showed them that their ideas and conversations had relevance far beyond their own practice. More recently, their project Cheerville, created for their client Sindhoor, became a powerful expression of their philosophy. The home was built with an all-women team while experimenting with a cement-free structural system, bringing together sustainability, gender inclusivity and thoughtful design. It was a reminder that architecture can create impact not only through the spaces it builds, but also through the people and possibilities it brings together.
At the heart of Masons Ink is a simple philosophy: “hands, heart and human.” For Sridevi and Rosie, architecture is about being hands-on, building with heart and keeping people at the centre of every decision. Entrepreneurship has taught them resilience, the importance of asking for help and the courage to embrace failure as part of the journey. Looking ahead, they hope to contribute to a more gender-inclusive built environment where women feel comfortable and empowered across offices and construction sites, while sustainability is understood as a meaningful practice rather than simply a label. Their message to aspiring entrepreneurs is equally simple: go for it. Entrepreneurship may be a rollercoaster, but it becomes a rewarding journey—and, as they have discovered, it is always better with company.
