“Women are going places and are highly regarded in the industry. However, we definitely have a long way to go…”

1. Can you give us a brief insight into your design journey?

Growing up in a family of architects, the excitement of experiencing a holistic profession grew on me gradually, and choosing architecture was, therefore, a natural instinct. My undergraduate degree in architecture in Delhi and master’s degree in Urban Design in New York further propelled that direction and a creative thought process. The built environment and urban challenges in my professional journey also urged me to question the current norms of the practice and how we approach design for people and cities. As an architect and designer, my family, life, and work have always inspired me in this journey, teaching me key lessons, and making me socially aware and sensitive, shaping my life.

2. From design school to a full-fledged professional, what were your high points and low points in this field?

My journey in the architecture and construction industry has been a gradually expanding experience that has taught me new ways of questioning my work. I see myself as an explorer decoding the means and ends of both architecture as a profession and as a responsibility towards the greater good. Heading a design-oriented practice, I consider myself fortunate to be exposed to various social and economic challenges that will gradually shape our future.

In the beginning, the college regime came as a big shock, with never-ending submissions and sleepless nights, but the excitement of creating and ideating is what fuelled my enthusiasm and continues to drive me every day.  While working in both Government and Private sectors, I have learnt the long-term impact our projects have on society at large. The most delightful aspect of my career is playing a pivotal role in reading and revitalising places in our Indian cities and creating spaces where people engage with the users. This keeps me driven towards practising as an architect.

3. Any one turning point in your career that you wish to highlight?

My approach towards architecture, a shift from the traditional building box design, served as a landmark for our practice. Our firm was initially popularly known for commercial, residential and industrial projects. With my knowledge and experience as an Urban Designer, we forayed into the domains of public and infrastructure projects. A conscious effort towards working with the government sector in enabling better urban infrastructure for the country helped us acquire milestone projects such as – the National Institute of Design (NID) Madhya Pradesh, the Redevelopment of colonies in Delhi and the Redevelopment of major Railway stations, among many others.

4. The industry is still largely male-dominated – why do you think that is?

Women are going places and are highly regarded in the industry. However, we definitely have a long way to go, and I feel education and awareness are the keys to driving the change. The last decade definitely marked a shift, not only because of the change in mindset but also because of the widespread awareness, thanks to the media for it. A lot of recognition is being given to female design professionals, which has certainly pushed many women who were initially taking a backseat at work fronts.

Moreover, we need more acceptance in achieving a flexible working environment for women professionals. If given freedom, women can do wonders! Generating awareness about the power of design and harnessing it to bring social change involves addressing the concerns of the public domain by using design as a tool to their advantage instead of turning our back towards them and creating boundaries.

5. With changing times, what would be your advice to upcoming architects on how to navigate the architecture world?

I would like to advise young professionals to work towards their vision and never stop trusting their inner instincts. Give due time to your family and yourself; nobody can take your talent away from you if you are good at your work. Think of yourself as an individual and never compare. Being a woman in architecture, I would like to add that gender should never limit the kind of work you do. There could not be a better time to join the workforce, as the flexibility at the workplace and work culture have proved wonders for many women at our firm and ones I meet regularly. Being digitally available while managing your personal routine has never been so readily acceptable. There has also been a tremendous advancement in the several realms of architecture where professionals can play diverse roles — design conceptualisation, product design, interactive designs, digital presentations, project coordination, and much more.