Women at Work – The ArSHEtect Perspective

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the ability to create, nurture, and transform.”

This International Women’s Day, we at Aludecor celebrate the passion of Women Architects and their dedication to making a change in the world of aesthetics, design and Architecture. The much-celebrated Architects remain sources of inspiration to us and many others for their Imagination, Creation and Innovation. We present to you in this special Women’s Day Edition, the narratives and stories of Women in the world of Architecture.

Twenty-seven years ago, I started my Architecture practice from a tiny nook in my parents’ verandah with the belief that,  “design has the power to appropriate human emotions and connect people to their physical environment”.  My postgraduate thesis at SPA Delhi also revolved around this same perspective and had received prestigious accolades. I also had the fortune of being taught about “Sustainability” at Lund University, Sweden. Besides, a few projects like SVS Vidyalaya and the Institute of Advanced Management fell into my lap. I was living my dream!

It was then that my daughter, just two, was diagnosed with Nephrotic syndrome. The biopsy revealed possibilities of her condition being reversible. For the next decade, I made sure that besides the life-saving drugs she was administered, she felt empowered to live life fully. I too shifted my studio to the house and worked between hospital shifts. The belief that my clients held in me during this phase, is actually, what helped me keep my practice alive and grow. My daughter has successfully battled the condition and is a successful scholar at Leeds.

Today, being the first woman Architect from eastern India and having been selected for the “Asian Paints Masters Gallery” – I really think that I have broken through the glass ceiling. I have also been a part of the Ministerial Conference at the 3rd World Water Forum in Japan, 2003, that prepared the Kyoto declaration on water. It stands to be a noteworthy milestone in my professional life.

Read also: Aum Architects’ Vision towards Creating a Sustainable World

Architecture, for me, has always been a way of life because I grew up in an environment of design. I was born to an Architect father and an equally creative mother who excelled in art and nurtured in me the values of appreciating detail and goodness in everything. To top it all, I grew up in Chandigarh, the epitome of modern Architecture in independent India.

Our conversations at home always subtly centred on art and design, which ingrained in me the ability to seek inspiration from and appreciate the finer things in life. I am blessed to have been surrounded by people who are a constant source of inspiration and motivation throughout my journey – from education to the establishment of Studio K.I.A.

The art of Architecture is storytelling, and the science of it is innovation—design philosophy at K.I.A takes root in this wisdom. Principles of design vary for each project in our studio, but we continue to seek inspiration in everything. I personally believe in a collaborative, communicative and contextual design approach that transcends use, purpose, aesthetics and function to create meaningful Architecture. My designs are people-centric, and the buildings are sensitive and responsive to sustainable and sensible plan. I have also served on several, reputed Design Juries namely A+D Spectrum, JK Cement, COA NIASA Student Thesis Jury, IDAC Intelligence Series, A+D CERA Design Awards, FoAID, Berger Architecture Ideas Awards, JIMS Interior Design, Ace Tech Grand Stand. Returning clients are the most satisfying award for me as they speak volumes for one’s work.

I grew up in a culture where two to three decades ago, women typically didn’t lean in, speak up, challenge or do any of those things that would help young girls gain confidence. To overcome these cultural norms and to easily navigate in a male-dominated architectural profession and Construction Industry, I tried to follow my own gut feeling. I simply stepped out of my comfort zone. My parents were always supportive of whatever I would like to choose as a career path, even against all the cultural odds around women.  The decision of pursuing a Masters degree in Architecture abroad almost two decades ago when women from my community hardly ever did the same was a challenge, and I am glad that my parents let my wings be. The cross-cultural exposure has become an essential part of my personality, and today we constantly merge the pros of both cultures and experiences, into our lives and the way we practice at Studio Osmosis. Today, at Studio Osmosis, we are predominantly women Architects and Designers, which only means that the best talent and most deserving candidates can be strong women too!

Women Architects are capable of going through all phases of design, execution and supervision on-site while giving their best to the practice. I am personally happy to see the change in my own community and culture since the last decade, which has only happened because the women realize, make and follow their own path.

I started my career as a young Architect in Dubai, UAE, at a firm called Dubarch, that was involved in designing the Emirates tower with the NORR group. In the two years as a Designer, I got a chance to design multiple villa residences, schools and commercial buildings. Post completing my Masters At GSAPP Columbia, I have joined Costas Kondylis and Partners, where Costas made me a part of the design team as the only female lead. It instilled in me a sense of confidence, and today my resume boasts of some of the premium towers that dot the Manhattan skyline. After enjoying the status of an Associate and Project Architect and heading a few projects, I decided to move back to India to start my practice and family. I co-founded the r+d Studio, where we believe that the mantra to design is hidden within the design program and the possibility of events that occur within them.

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The formative years of being an Architect were shaped by the many Women Professors who were also practising Architects. They inspired in me a sense of confidence – that women could hold their position and stature in a field traditionally dominated by men. To me, Architecture is a  gender-neutral profession. It has always been a profession where I see both men and women walk side by side. I think so far, I have found respect for my craft and appreciation for my eye for detail. Since I’ve become a mother, I’ve adjusted my role within the firm (r+d Studio) to be able to take time out to spend more time with my son. The work-life balance is something that I strive for and actively address it.

I feel that women should work after marriage, after babies or whatever changes are happening in their lives. Other than financial independence, individuals need to be engaged in activities that increase their self-esteem and provide the satisfaction of having done something for the larger society.

I sincerely believe that all of us owe a debt to the women who had come before us and made the path slightly smoother. In whatever way I can, I see to it that I do my part to help a large number of highly intelligent, dedicated and passionate women who have worked with me for the past so many years.

Over the years, I have realized that there exist stereotypes in the minds of people to accept women in a decision-making position. I generally see to it that I share my experiences in breaking these barriers with the younger women in my office to help them forge ahead not only in their struggles in the professional front but also in the personal front. After my child was born, I was back at work in 2 months, often bringing my child to the office with me. For the women who were expecting babies, we created a makeshift crèche that ensures comfort and flexible working hours. Women by nature are excellent time managers and multi-taskers, all that the world needs to do is see them with a different view rather than comparing them to the same standards that apply to men.

Women Architects is an exasperating term! In the words of Zaha Hadid – ”I used to disapprove of being called a Woman Architect because what is important is that I’m an Architect and woman is background information.” State of women in Architecture and Interior Architecture has made progress, but yet a long way to go. Women are still unjustifiably unnoticed in the world of Architecture. That being said, women have made prodigious gains in Architecture since Zaha Hadid started her practice in the 1970s.

Architecture is about passion, talent and visions and how good one is at what she or he does – regardless of their gender. Our firm, Collaborative Architecture, is co-founded by a woman and we function virtually gender-neutral. ‘Going beyond brief’- is a phrase that portrays the early phase of our practice and my outlook towards Architecture. Good designs are rarely born out of the first thought that flashes in your mind – most often than not, innovative designs are the result of visiting and revisiting creative ideas.

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The Indian National War Museum at New Delhi holds such a spot in our heart, due to the fact that this was not only the very first live large scale International competition where we were one of the finalists, but this was also the very first time we ever designed a museum! The process of designing it took us through loads of challenges, as the project needed multiple narratives and interpretations being inserted in the urban heritage of Lutyne’s Delhi. Despite taking gruelling unearthly hours at the office and loads of research work, the process also enriched us with interesting International collaborations with various specialised Consultants.”