Monika Choudhary, Anubha Laroiya Aneja, Priya Tandon Chawla, and Kritika Goswamy Malik channelled their experiences with cancer into creating spaces that promote
wellness and healing. Drawing from their personal journeys, they emphasize the significance of environment in the healing process.
February 4 marks World Cancer Day. On the occasion, The Sunday Guardian spoke to architects – Monika Choudhary, Chief Development Officer, Founder and Growth Strategist at Habitat Architects; and Anubha Laroiya Aneja, Priya Tandon Chawla and Kritika Goswamy Malik, founders of HomeGaatha, who have survived cancer and are channelling their energies into designing homes geared towards prevention and wellness. Excerpts from edited interviews:
Q. How would you summarise your fight with cancer?
Monika Choudhary (MC): My encounter with cancer was more than a medical diagnosis – it was a life-altering shift. I faced both breast cancer and a lung tumour during different phases of life, but instead of focusing on the illness, I chose to focus on healing.
Anubha Laroiya Aneja (ALA): I was diagnosed with Breast Carcinoma (Stage 2B) in January 2011 at the age of 30. My treatment journey was intense. Through five surgeries and more, I’ve learned to navigate the journey with resilience, wielding preventive measures as my shield against an uncertain future. Each step, each surgery, fortifies my resolve to live fully, cherishing each moment as both a victory and a precious gift.
Priya Tandon Chawla (PTC): I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer (Stage 3). Looking back, I wish I had acted sooner. I first felt a small lump in my left breast around the end of July, but I avoided going to the doctor, fearing the worst and behaving like an ostrich, hoping it would go away. It wasn’t until a friend forced me to get checked that I finally went to AIIMS.
Kritika Goswamy Malik (KGM): I was also diagnosed with Breast Cancer. At first, I was in shock but then went into superfast mode, determined to get on with the treatment.
Q. How did you channel what you learned about cancer into your work?
MC: As a designer with personal experience navigating illness, I know the profound impact of the environment on wellbeing. The truth is the future of cancer care hinges on more than medical breakthroughs; it demands spaces that actively promote healing. During my recovery, this realisation led me to the Kushi Institute, a sanctuary of integrative learning and transformation, promoting ancient practices rooted in Japanese, Chinese, Aztec, and Ayurvedic traditions. My collaboration with Mona Schwartz from the institute culminated in our co-authored book, ‘Mona & Mona’, which will be released this year. It will reflect our shared vision of highlighting the untapped power of integrative health practices to help others discover their path to healing, balance, and wellbeing.
ALA: My battle with cancer profoundly reshaped my professional outlook, instilling a deep commitment to wellness and empathy across all facets of my work. Recognising the critical importance of a supportive environment, I broadened my focus to enhancing the overall wellbeing of my team with initiatives that promote work-life balance, like flexible hours and remote work options, ensuring personal and health needs are respected. Further, my personal challenges have fuelled stronger engagement with community initiatives, especially those supporting health and wellbeing, underscoring my commitment to societal contribution.
Q. How do you aim to create restorative spaces that prioritise wellness, sustainability and healing?
PTC: During my treatment, I realised how my surroundings affected my mood, energy, and healing process. Natural light, open spaces, and lots of sunlight became incredibly important to me. At HomeGaatha, we focus on creating restorative environments that feel calm, warm, and healing. I focus on maximising natural light, using soft, diffused lighting in the evenings to create bright yet calming spaces. Also, I always try to bring in elements of nature through indoor plants, wooden textures, or water features. Just like fresh food nourishes the body, natural materials like reclaimed wood, clay, and stone create an environment that feels alive, breathable, and restorative. I love using earthy tones in textured walls, rustic tiles, or warm-hued fabrics to create spaces that feel anchored and deeply personal.
KGM: My focus on creating personalised spaces for homeowners has strengthened since my cancer diagnosis. Supporting clients in incorporating quiet zones, reading nooks, wellness corners, or studies where they can unwind brings a deep sense of satisfaction and comfort, enhancing mental and emotional stability.
Q: What, according to you, is the role of one’s private spaces in the prevention of lifestyle diseases?
MC: Designing for prevention involves creating spaces that instinctively encourage movement and connect strongly to natural environments. Good ventilation, non-toxic materials, and access to greenery help maintain better indoor air quality and reduce exposure to environmental toxins.
Beyond functionality, the psychology of space also matters. Thoughtful spatial planning can reduce stress by incorporating intuitive layouts, warm material palettes, and elements promoting calm and refuge.
PTC: Our homes are like silent caretakers – they can either nurture our wellbeing or slowly wear us down. In today’s fast-paced world, where stress, fatigue, and unhealthy habits are becoming part of daily life, the design of our private spaces plays a crucial role in preventing lifestyle diseases. For me, design is about creating harmony between the space and the person living in it. Imagine waking up in a sunlit room where soft, natural light gradually fills the space, setting the body’s circadian rhythm, regulating energy levels and improving sleep. Contrast that with a dark, cluttered space, which can feel heavy, affecting mood and productivity. Good design works with nature, not against it.
Q: What would you say is the most important thing cancer taught you?
ALA: To anyone navigating this journey, remember: You possess a strength that surpasses your understanding. Healing transcends the realm of medicine; it’s also about embracing the gentle comforts life offers. This includes the warm embrace of sunlight streaming through your window, the caress of soft, natural fabrics against your skin, the cherished presence of loved ones, and the tranquillity of a soothing environment. Allow yourself compassion. Recovery follows no straightforward path and facing challenging days is perfectly natural. Cultivate an environment of positivity by choosing the company of uplifting people, curating spaces that bring you peace, and establishing routines that elevate your spirit. Your body is a steadfast ally in your journey to wellness. Honour it with kindness. Give it rest and nourishment and permit yourself to heal at your own rhythm.
KGM: It taught me to start life afresh. Every day you fight is a victory! There will be tough moments, but they are just moments. Surround yourself with people who uplift you and give yourself time to heal. Take one step at a time, rest when needed, and trust in your resilience. Find someone who inspires you, learn from them, and most importantly, find your tribe!
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.