Inspirational Stories #5: Vishakha Tiwari (Architecture Candy)

We’re continuing our journey with the next article in the Inspirational Stories series where we feature architects, illustrators, and content creators who are redefining the way we see and communicate design. Through their unique approaches and creative practices, these individuals not only inspire us with their work but also remind us of the power of storytelling in architecture. Each story is a window into how passion, purpose, and creativity can shape more meaningful spaces and hopefully, spark something in you too.

In this article, we are proud to feature Vishakha Tiwari, an urban designer and the creative force behind Architecture Candy. Vishakha is a visual storyteller who brings community narratives to life through powerful spatial and visual design.

Her process begins with sketches, mood boards, and diagrams that capture the emotional essence of a place, transforming local stories into meaningful, experiential spaces. If you’re not already following @architecture_candy, don’t miss the chance to explore how design can connect deeply with people and place.

How would you describe yourself as an architect and your creative practice?

As an urban designer and founder of Architecture Candy, I’m a visual storyteller who translates community narratives into compelling spatial experiences. My design approach centers on uncovering the unique stories of each place and its people, then expressing these through strong visual language and experiential design. I believe people connect with spaces emotionally first, so every project begins with visual frameworks – sketches, mood boards, and diagrams – that capture authentic community stories and guide the design process. Through this approach, we create places that are immediately engaging and genuinely reflective of the people who inhabit them.

Can you tell us what motivated you to begin sharing your work and thoughts with a wider audience?

I  started creating architecture content in 2020 during the pandemic when I launched Architecture Candy as a simple Instagram page. Like many designers, I wondered how to make an impact in a crowded field, and COVID gave me that pause to reflect. I began sharing my passion for architecture through minimalist diagrams and visual storytelling, and was surprised by the incredible community response, growing to over 190k followers. I realized there was a real hunger for architecture content that was visually clear and accessible, making complex design concepts approachable for everyone from students to professionals.

What aspects of the content creation process push you the most?

The most challenging aspect of content creation is striking the right balance between educational depth and visual simplicity. As someone who works with complex urban design concepts, I’m constantly navigating how to distill technical information into diagrams and visuals that are both accurate and instantly digestible. There’s always the risk of oversimplifying important nuances or, conversely, creating content that’s too dense for the audience to engage with. The pressure to constantly produce fresh, valuable content while staying true to my storytelling approach can be demanding, especially when each post needs to serve both educational and aesthetic purposes.

Through your content, what architectural ideas or values are you most passionate about sharing?

Through Architecture Candy, I want to make architecture education more accessible and visually engaging. I’m passionate about breaking down complex design concepts into clear, minimalist diagrams that anyone can understand, whether you’re a student struggling with site analysis or a professional looking to communicate ideas more effectively. I focus on highlighting the fundamental principles that often get lost in academic jargon: how buildings respond to context, how spaces flow and function, and how design decisions impact user experience. By creating visual learning resources like my “Mastering Site Analysis” and “All About Diagrams” courses, I’m working to democratize architectural knowledge and show that good design thinking can be both beautiful and understandable. Ultimately, I want to bridge the gap between complex architectural theory and practical, visual communication.

Vishakha Tiwari’s journey shows us that architecture is not just about buildings, but about stories, people, and clear communication. She turns complex ideas into simple and beautiful visuals that help others learn and understand design better. Her work makes architecture more open and easier to connect with, especially for students and young designers. Through her creativity, she is helping more people see that good design can be both smart and easy to understand.