Women Architects in Delhi Changing the City’s Landscape

Delhi’s architectural landscape is a blend of history and modernity, and women architects are at the forefront of this evolution. From conserving heritage monuments to designing futuristic skyscrapers and sustainable luxury homes, these professionals are redefining the capital’s skyline.

Here is a list of the 15 women architects in Delhi changing the city’s landscape:

1. Sonali Rastogi – Morphogenesis

Sonali Rastogi is a founding partner of Morphogenesis, one of India’s most celebrated architectural firms. She is known for her sustainable, eco-friendly designs that reduce energy consumption. Her projects, like the British Council in Delhi, seamlessly blend modern technology with traditional Indian methods to keep buildings cool and naturally lit.

2. Sonali Bhagwati – Designplus Architecture

Sonali Bhagwati is a veteran architect and the President of DPA. Her work spans over 30 years, creating luxurious offices, hotels, and public spaces. She is an activist for urban reform, ensuring that her designs not only look good but also improve the quality of city life for everyone.

3. Sunita Kohli – K2India

Sunita Kohli is a Padma Shri awardee and a legend in heritage conservation. She is famous for restoring the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Hyderabad House. Her work preserves Delhi’s rich history while adapting these grand structures for modern use, ensuring the past remains a living part of the city.

4. Kohelika Kohli – K2India

Kohelika Kohli, an architect and CEO of K2India, brings a youthful, contemporary edge to the firm. She specializes in designing modern luxury homes and commercial spaces. Her style is clean and sophisticated, often mixing the old with the new to create unique, energetic environments.

5. Aishwarya Tipnis – Aishwarya Tipnis Architects

Aishwarya Tipnis is a pioneering conservation architect dedicated to saving India’s neglected heritage. She works on restoring old havelis and monuments in Delhi, transforming them into usable community spaces. Her focus is on “living heritage,” making history relevant and accessible to today’s generation.

6. Mitu Mathur – GPM Architects & Planners

Mitu Mathur is the Director at GPM, where she leads large-scale urban projects. She focuses on designing sustainable townships, malls, and metro stations that impact millions of commuters. Her vision is to create “smart” urban spaces that are efficient, safe, and people-friendly.

7. Suparna Bhalla – Abaxial

Suparna Bhalla is a principal architect known for her conservation work and sustainable modern architecture. She has worked on restoring historic forts and designing contemporary green buildings. Her approach creates a balance between preserving nature and building functional, beautiful structures for the future.

8. Sabeena Khanna – Studio KIA

Sabeena Khanna creates massive developments like residential townships and shopping complexes. She believes that architecture should be about “placemaking” creating spaces where communities can thrive. Her designs are known for being grand yet human-centric, focusing on open spaces and greenery.

9. Rachna Agarwal – Studio IAAD

Rachna Agarwal is the founder of Studio IAAD, known for creating award-winning office and retail spaces. She specializes in “experiential design,” using lighting and textures to make spaces feel welcoming. Her work helps brands like PVR Cinemas create memorable environments for their customers.

10. Asha Sairam – Studio Lotus

Asha Sairam is a Design Principal at Studio Lotus, a firm famous for its contextual designs. She leads projects in hospitality and retail, creating spaces that tell a story about their location. Her work often uses local crafts and materials, celebrating Indian artistry in modern settings.

11. Aparna Kaushik – Aparna Kaushik Design Group

Aparna Kaushik is the go-to architect for ultra-luxury residential properties in Delhi. Her style is a blend of European classicism and modern minimalism. She designs sprawling villas that look like modern palaces, focusing on symmetry, grandeur, and exquisite detailing.

12. Swanzal Kak Kapoor – Saka Studio

Swanzal Kak Kapoor is a design principal who champions “green” architecture. She is deeply involved in community projects, such as the restoration of the Aravalli biodiversity park. Her architecture is sensitive to the environment, using natural materials to create spaces that breathe.

13. Sneha Gurjar – CEM Engineers

Sneha Gurjar is a director at CEM Engineers and a partner at Architecture Discipline. She works on complex infrastructure projects and high-end modern buildings. Her expertise lies in using advanced engineering to create structures that are not only beautiful but also resilient and long-lasting.

14. Aditi Sharma – Aditi Sharma Design Studio

Aditi Sharma is a young designer creating waves with her fresh, minimalist approach. She focuses on residential and commercial interiors that are clean, functional, and artistic. Her work is perfect for modern urbanites looking for clutter-free, serene living spaces.

15. Komal Mittal – Alkove Design

Komal Mittal co-founded Alkove Design, a boutique firm known for its detailed and personalized approach. She works on luxury homes and offices, treating every project like a piece of art. Her designs are warm and texture-rich, focusing on the comfort and personality of the user.