Satyendra Pakhalé
Principal / Founder
Satyendra Pakhalé, a ‘Cultural Nomad’, is a multifaceted creator and the founder of Satyendra Pakhalé Associates, a studio-practice established in 1998 in Amsterdam, NL. With a practice spanning over 30 years, his work explores the intersection of design, architecture, art, healthcare and mobility, creating innovative works with clients, galleries, and cultural institutions worldwide.
Trained in both India and Europe, Pakhalé obtained his Master’s degree in Design at IIT Bombay and furthered his education at the ArtCenter (Europe) in Switzerland. Early in his career, he was part of the pioneering ‘new business creation’ team at Philips Design in the Netherlands, where he conceived some of the first product ideas integrating emerging technologies in digital communication, mobility, and healthcare.
Pakhalé’s design philosophy challenges conventional boundaries by uniting seemingly opposing forces: high and low tech, industrial production and traditional crafts, functionality and poetic expression. He explores diverse cultural roots while creating contemporary objects and architectural spaces, with the awareness that being a creator means being socially and culturally responsible. In his view, “Design is a cultural act about justice as much as utility and beauty.” This perspective articulates a vision of ‘social modernity’ grounded in the idea of ‘social cohesion’ — an expression of ways of being.
A central concept in his work, ‘social modernity’ — a modernity not based on industrial efficiency alone, but on human dignity, participation, and plurality. This is seen by Pakhalé as an ongoing process in most societies. Unlike earlier modernist ideals which, while acknowledging social democracy, often overlooked genuine inclusivity, he proposes a broader framework that fosters a deeper understanding of social cohesion in the built environment. In his words: “The project of modernity is still a work in progress in most societies seen from the point of view of social cohesion. Design has to help to bring the disintegrating elements together and unite them under the perspective of this renewed idea of social modernity.”
His approach is informed by a secular humanistic and de-colonial perspective, aligning with a universal, critical view of history that transcends regional or disciplinary boundaries. This cultivates a deeper awareness of the human condition, fueled by intense curiosity and a sharp insight into what it means to be ‘human’. His work embraces cultural specificity while moving beyond strict disciplinary confines.
Often, his creations serve as vessels of poetic analogy—objects and spaces that extend beyond functionality, inviting memory, imagination, and self-identification. This narrative-driven approach is central to his body of work, which ranges from industrially produced objects to unique gallery pieces. While rooted in process driven practice, his creations expand into multi-sensory, emotionally resonant experiences.
At the heart of his work lie two fundamental convictions: that cultural influences matter, and that rational, emotional, and sensory elements must be considered as one. By revisiting and synthesizing these aspects, Pakhalé has built a practice that is both contemporary and forward-looking.
A comprehensive monograph titled ‘Satyendra Pakhalé: Culture of Creation’ published by nai010, Rotterdam, explores the wide spectrum of ideas embedded in his work. The book covers themes such as craftsmanship and technology, sensorial design, poetic analogy, social modernity, plurality of expression, and the atmosphere of objects and spaces—all foundational to his interdisciplinary practice.
‘Culture of Creation’ articulates a critical reimagining the world as an ethical, cohesive, sensorial, and culturally embedded act. Advocating for plural modernities and engaged practices, his work contributes to a decolonial and phenomenological rethinking of design’s role in shaping inclusive and meaningful futures in the 21st century.
Beyond art, design and architecture, Pakhalé has contributed significantly through academia and thought leadership. From 2006 to 2010, he served as the founding dean of the Master of Design for Humanity and Sustainable Living program (now known as Social Design) at the Design Academy Eindhoven. His insights have been shared globally through lectures, exhibitions, and publications.
In 2008, L’Uomo Vogue recognized him as one of the 80 most influential creative people in art, design and architecture worldwide. His works are held in the permanent public collections of major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
Pakhalé continues to create diverse works as a catalyst for connection—between people, cultures, technologies, and time—shaping objects and environments that are at once contemporary, cohesive, and deeply human.
Clients
Alcantara / Italy
Alessi / Italy
Al Sabah Gallery / Villamoda / Kuwait
Bosa / Italy
Ca’lyah / Denmark
Cappellini / Italy
Colombo Design / Italy
Corian / USA
CorUnum / NL
CRAFT / France
C-Sam / USA
C-lection / NL
De Vecchi / Italy
Dupont / USA
Erreti / Italy
FIAM / Italy
Flaminia / Italy
Franke / Switzerland
Hästens / Sweden
Heren2 / NL
Lille 3000 / France
L’Etoile Properties / France
Magis / Italy
Material ConneXion / USA
Messe Frankfurt / Germany
Moon Life Foundation / NL
Moroso / Italy
Museum Grand Hornu / Belgium
Novartis / Switzerland
Offecct / Sweden
Philips / NL
Poltrona Frau / Italy
RSVP / Italy
SCA / TORK / Sweden
Tubes Radiatori / Italy
TOD’s / Italy
Vaghi / Italy
Väveriet / Ludvig Svensson / Sweden
Galleries
ammann//gallery / Cologne, Germany
Rademakers Gallery / Amsterdam, NL
Exhibitions
2024
PAD London – Art + Design, Berkeley Square, London, UK
“Universo Satellite” 25th Anniversary of Salone Satellite, Triennale di Milano, Italy
“Cerámica Contemporánea”, ammann//gallery, Köln, Germany
PAD Paris, Jardin des Tuileries, Paris, France
2023
PAN Amsterdam, RAI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
“Legends and Legacy”, cor unum ceramics, 70th anniversary celebration, Alcova, Salone del mobile, Milano
“The Butterfly Effect”, H+O apartment gallery, Brera Design District, Fuorisalone, Milano
2022
“Design for Healthcare”, World Design Capital Valencia, Valencia, Spain
London Design Festival 2022, London, UK
2020
From Thonet to “Dutch Design” 125 years of living at the Stedelijk, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, The Netherlands
‘Mountain Rains’ by Satyendra Pakhalé Auction, Auction Design Miami
Colours, Gallery Ammann, Cologne, Germany
2019
IN-Possible ALESSI, Museo Alessi & Design / Museum Holon, Israel
2018
Made in Holland: 400 years a global brand, Princessehof Ceramic Museum Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection, Legno Arredo ITS Rosario Messina Foundation Study Centre, Lentate sul Seveso, Italy
2017
Ceci n’est pas une copie, Centre d’innovation et de design, Grand-Hornu, Belgium
Alessi IN-possible, La Triennale di Milano, Italy
SaloneSatellite. 20 Years of New Creativity, Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan, Italy
Ghost Memory – what a joy! 30° Ghost Anniversary, Milan Fair, Italy
The value of design, Red Dot awarded products, Cité du Design Saint-Étienne, France
2016
Time Space Existence, Venice Architecture Biennale, Global Art Affairs, Palazzo Michiel, Venice, Italy
Houselife, Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Bordeaux, France
2015
Looking ahead. 9 stories from Veneto: digital – not only digital, Venice Art Biennale, Italy
Das Bauhaus #itsalldesign, Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany
Wirkkala Revisited, Design Museum Helsinki, Finland
Alessi IN-possible, Design Museum Holon, Israel
2014
Design at Fairchild, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables Miami, USA
Sydney Indesign, Habitus Home Exhibition, Sydney, Australia
Modular system – Add-On Radiator, Paris Designer’s Days, France
100% Tobeus: 100 Designers for 100 New Toy Cars, Canada National Design Museum, Toronto, Canada
Cappellini 2000-2012, ICFF New York, USA
Industry City, New York, USA
Tom Vack. Vanity of Object, Die Neue Sammlung, The Design Museum, Munich, Germany
Modularity – Add-On Radiator, Malta Design Week, Fort St Elmo Valletta, Malta
2013
Outset Design Fund, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, United Kingdom
Meet Design Around the World, Triennale di Milano, Italy
2012
International Design for Children, The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Design & Technology – 15th Anniversary SaloneSatellite, Milan Design Week, Italy
2011
Daily Future, Moon Life Concept Store, Moon Life Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Can you imagine? Alcantara, power of a material, MAXXI Museum, Rome, Italy
2010
Meeting of Minds, Hästens Flagship, Stockholm, Sweden
10 Years of Via Milano, Oude Kerk Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In Progress, CID Grand-Hornu, Belgium
2009
Design Lounge, ammann // gallery, Cologne Fine Art & Antiques, Cologne, Germany
The Clue Design, Gwanju Design Biennale, South Korea
Satyendra Pakhalé – Architecture & Design, MIPIM Le marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier, Cannes, France
2008
Satyendra Pakhalé – OriginS, solo exhibition, ammann // gallery, Cologne, Germany
Urban Compatibility Iittala, Design Boost, Malmö, Sweden
2007
Personal Shopper. We can’t afford to buy CHEAP things, Ambiente Frankfurt Fair, Germany
Satyendra Pakhalé – Selected design works, Design Boost, Stockholm, Sweden
2006
Bombay Maximum City, Co-Curation & Design, Lille3000
European Cultural Capital, Lille, France
Bamboo architectural elements, Transformation: Nature & Beyond, Material ConneXion Flagship, New York, USA
2005
Satyendra Pakhalé – three projects, Future Design Days, Stockholm, Sweden
Ole Palsby Retrospective, The Danish Museum of Art and Design, Copenhagen, Denmark
2003
Satyendra Pakhalé – Design by Heart, solo exhibition, OTTO Gallery, Bologna, Italy
un:Usual – Satyendra Pakhalé, Entrata Libera, Milan, Italy
2002
From Projects to Products, solo exhibition, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Panther Off-Scale – 50 Projects, Moroso Golden Jubilee, Milan, Italy
2001
Work ‘n’ Play by Satyendra Pakhalé, SaloneSatellite, Milan, Italy
World Wide Design, Atelier Renault, Paris, France
2000
Design works, group exhibition, Gallery Arte e Industria, Parma, Italy
1999
Beyond European Design, Abitare il Tempo, Verona, Italy
Young designers in Milano, Alterpoint Milano, Italy
1998
Vision on move, Evoluon Philips, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
1997
Pangéa Concept Car, Geneva International Motor Show, Switzerland
Lectures
Shifting Scale & Sensing Space / Oklahoma University / Norman / OK / USA / 2025
Culture of creation / SCAD – Savannah College of Art and Design / Savannah / Georgia / USA / 2025
Talk at New Parsons School. On invitation of John-Michael Ekeblad, Visiting faculty Industrial Design, Tucker Viemeister, Designer, Assistant Professor / New York / USA / 2022
Aggregates as uncommon senses / Back to early discoveries / Uncommon Senses III: Back to the future of the Senses | Center for Sensory Studies Concordia University / Montreal / Canada / 2021
Primary need of our times: ‘Social Cohesion’ / Keynote at the International Seminar Week /
HfG University of Design / Schwäbisch Gmünd / Germany / 2021
Social Cohesion as a planetary norm / IDEC 2021 Annual Conference / Interior Design Educators Council, Inc. / USA / 2021
Can Design create a Global Impact? / Keynote at Design Fusion / Lille / France / 2021
Continuity of Creation / Need for introspection / IDC School of Design / Industrial Design Centre IIT Bombay / Mumbai / India / 2021
Culture of Creation, The atmosphere of objects / 4th International Congress on Ambiance / University of California Santa Barbara / USA / 2020
Creating meanings with materials / Keynote at Material District / Rotterdam / the Netherlands / 2019
Between Memory and Oblivion – Between Tradition and Innovation / Keynote TraditioNow Chinese Handicrafts / Masters in Residence / Nanjing University of Arts / Nanjing / China / 2018
Four Architectural Design Projects – the Netherlands Switzerland and India / Vos & Partners Developers / Rotterdam / the Netherlands / 2018
Creating Lasting Impact / H2 Shanghai / delegation of various professionals from Shanghai / Amsterdam / The Netherlands / 2017
Culture of Innovation / The new frontiers of the design radiator: aesthetics and functionality at the service of energy efficiency Tubes Workshop / Venice / Italy / October 2016
Culture of Creation / Evoking Senses Sensibilia / Colloquium on Perception and Experience / Museo Hendrik Christian Andersen / Rome / Italy / May 2016
Sensorial Design / Istituto Europeo di Design / Rome / May 2016
Design in Culture of Manufacturing / India Design Forum / Mumbai / India / February 2016
Design Opportunities for one of the largest Rail Networks / Railway & Mass Transit Interiors / Technology and Design Expo / Cologne / Germany / 2013
Future Digital Lifestyles looking at the Past / CeBIT Global Conferences / Design for Digital Lifestyles / CeBIT Hannover / Germany / 2013
Design as Universal Poetry / International Seminar on Creative Economy and Design / Belo Horizonte / Brazil / 2012
Curiosities… / IITB / Indian Institute of Technology Bombay / IDC / Industrial Design Centre / Bombay / India / 2012
Industrial Design with Cultural Content / MCBW / Munich Creative Business Week / Die Neue Sammlung – The International Design Museum Munich / Germany / 2012
Awards
Distinguished Alumnus Award / Industrial Design Centre / India / 2020
Red Dot Award / Red dot Gmbh & Co. KG Essen / Germany / 2016
Green Good Design Award / European Centre for Architecture Art Design Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design /Chicago / USA / 2016
Distinguished Alumnus Award IITB 2013 / Indian Institute of Technology Bombay /Mumbai / India / 2013
Bharat Samman 2013/ New Delhi / NRI Non Resident Indian Institute / London / UK / 2013
NRI Institute Award 2012 / NRI Non Resident Indian Institute / London / UK / 2012
Red Dot Award/ Essen / Red dot Gmbh & Co. KG Essen / Germany / 2008
International Design Award / LA Interiors Los Angeles / Los Angeles / USA / 2007
Editor’s Choice Award / ICFF – International Contemporary Furniture Fair / New York / USA / 2003
National Design Grant / Foundation for Fine Art, Architecture and Design / Netherlands / 2002
International Design Distinction Award / International Design Magazine / New York / USA / 1998
Design Distinction / New Notable Product Design II / USA / 1995 /
GOLDSTAR Design Award / Goldstar Co. Seoul / Seoul / Korea / 1993
Janus De L’Etudiant ’91 / IFDI International Young Industrial Design Talent Promotion Award / French Institute of Industrial Design / Paris / France / 1991
Teaching
2025
“Shifting Scale & Sensing Space workshop”, Oklahoma University, Norman, OK, USA
2023-2024
Innovation in inhalers, AUMC – Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra – Faculty of pulmonology, Amsterdam, NL
2022
“Sustainable Aviation – future of aviation airport, RHIA – Rotterdam, The Hague Innovation Airport foundation”, TUDelft – Technische Universiteit Delft, NL
2021
“Exploring Interactions”, Research and Design Masters Project, TUDelft – Technische Universiteit Delft, NL
“Well-being for urban birds” – Design workshop at Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. On invitation of Prof. Matthias Held, Deputy Chairman of the University
Masterclass at New Parsons School, New York, USA. On invitation of John-Michael Ekeblad, Visiting faculty
Industrial Design, Tucker Viemeister, Designer, Assistant Professor
2014
Guest faculty – Design workshop. On invitation of Mr. Cees de Bont, Dean of School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK, China
2012
Guest faculty – Design workshop. On invitation of Prof. A. G. Rao, IDC – Industrial Design Centre, IIT – Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India
2011
Guest faculty – Design workshop. On invitation of Prof. Kim, Myung-Su, Industrial Design Department, KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea.
2011
Guest faculty – Design workshop. On invitation of Mrs. Cheng Wai Kwan Vivian, International Liaison Manager, Hong Kong Design Institute, HK, China
2006-2010
Founding dean of the Master of Design for Humanity and Sustainable Living, now called ‘Social Design’ at Design Academy Eindhoven, NL. On invitation of Mrs. Li Edelkoort, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Design Academy Eindhoven, NL
2009
Guest faculty – Design workshop. On invitation of Mrs. Liz Davis, Head of the International Studio, Les Ateliers – ENSCi – Ecole Nationale Superieure de Creation Industrielle, France
2008
Guest faculty – Vitra Design workshop. On invitation of
Mr. Alessander van Vegesag, Domaine de Boisbuchet, France
2005-2006
Visiting faculty on invitation of Mr. Gijs Bakker, Head of Man and Living Department, Design Academy Eindhoven, NL
2001-2005
Visiting faculty on invitation of Mr. Oscar Peña, Head of Man and Activity Department, Design Academy Eindhoven, NL
2002
Guest faculty – Design workshop. On invitation of Mrs. Stesuko Nagasawa, Head of Ceramics Department. Haute Ecole d’Arts Appliqués Geneva. Geneva, Switzerland.
2001
Guest faculty – for China project. On invitation of Mr. Norman Tropman, Head of Ceramics Department, Hogeschool Den Bosch, NL
Collections
MoMA / Museum of Modern Art / New York / USA
V&A / Victoria and Albert Museum / London / United Kingdom
Centre Pompidou / The Centre national d’art et de culture Georges Pompidou / Paris / France
Stedelijk Museum / The Museum of Modern Art Amsterdam / Amsterdam / The Netherlands
M+ / Museum of Visual Culture / Hong Kong / China
MAKK / Museum für Angewandte Kunst / Cologne / Germany
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts / The Liliane and David M. Stewart Program for Modern Design / Montreal / Canada
Foundation of the Sparda-Bank / Münster / Germany
Die Neue Sammlung / The International Design Museum / Munich / Germany
F.N.A.C. / Fonds National d’Art Contemporain / Paris / France
Museum het Kruithuis / ‘s-Hertogenbosch / The Netherlands
Sotheby’s London / AJC Designs / London / United Kingdom
gabrielle ammann // gallery / Cologne / Germany
Musée départemental d’art contemporain de Rochechouart / Rochechouart / France