Principal Architect

shefali@architecturebrio.com

Shefali Balwani is the Founder and Principal Architect of Architecture BRIO, operating between Mumbai and Rotterdam. With a robust architectural education from the C.E.P.T. School of Architecture in Ahmedabad and an exchange program at TU Delft in the Netherlands, Shefali brings a unique perspective to her work, seamlessly blending functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Prior to co-founding Architecture BRIO in 2006 with Robert Verrijt, they lived and worked in Sri Lanka. She has since led a diverse portfolio of design projects across India and Europe, specialising in high-end residential and hospitality projects. Her expertise lies in harmonizing architecture and interiors, with a strong emphasis on materiality, ensuring that each project is thoughtfully crafted to meet the needs of its users while responding to its environmental context.

A passionate advocate for design discourse, Shefali is a sought-after speaker at prestigious institutions and conferences worldwide. Her speaking engagements include DLS 2020 at the Malaysian Institute of Architects, Transfer Dialogues at GSAPP, Columbia University, the KVD Forum at CEPT, the Landscape Architecture Conference in Sydney, and the MASA conference in Bangalore.

She appeared in the BBC documentary “Worlds Most Extraordinary Homes” together with Robert Verrijt. The program featured their project the “Riparian House” in Karjat. Through her work at Architecture BRIO, Shefali continues to redefine the relationship between architecture and nature, striving to create spaces that inspire and elevate the human experience.

Principal Architect

robert@architecturebrio.com

Born in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Robert Verrijt received a Master of Science in Architecture at the TUDelft in 2003. His masters thesis was accoladed with the Dutch Archiprix award. Being fascinated by Geoffrey Bawa’s architecture, he moved to Sri Lanka shortly after graduating. He joined the office of Channa Daswatte where he assisted on a retrospective exhibition of Geoffrey Bawa’s work. The office gave him the opportunity to work on various residential and hospitality projects, located in a wide variety of landscapes and contexts, such as the Kurulu Bedda Boutique Resort.

Struck by the increasing disparities in the Indian subcontinent and the opportunities it offered to achieve impact, he decided to move to Mumbai in 2006. Shortly thereafter, he set up the practice Architecture BRIO together with Shefali Balwani. Robert is fascinated with the diversity of the Indian landscape. The diverse climates and geographies of India encourage truly specific architecture with unique experiential qualities.

Robert has taught at various colleges of Architecture in Mumbai and lectures extensively in India and abroad. He is one of the founding members of the Bandra Collective and leads the bB design Studio, dedicated to eradicating homelessness. Robert is a registered architect in The Netherlands.

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Associate Partner

rohit@architecturebrio.com

Rohit Mankar is Associate Partner at Architecture BRIO and Head of Projects with a focus on technical development and the implementation of our projects. Rohit studied architecture from the School of Architecture at CEPT, Ahmedabad. He also holds a masters degree in Advanced Architectural Design from the University of Pennsylvania. Rohit has over two decades of experience, and began his career working across hospitality and residential design with WATG in London and in the US.

He was drawn by the opportunity to contribute to the emerging language of modern Indian architecture, drawing deeply from its traditional roots while also evolving to a vernacular modern future and in 2005 he founded Parallax Design Studio, a multidisciplinary design firm based in Mumbai. Over 15 years, his portfolio has included a variety of projects ranging from hospitality and offices to residences and product design. As a specialist in the hospitality space, he has worked with leading hospitality brands like Four Seasons, ITC and Radisson as well as collaborated with international design icons like Philippe Starck.

Rohit is a visiting Faculty member at Kamla Raheja Vidhyanidhi Institute of Architecture, Mumbai since 2018. He has also been a regular part of design juries in various architecture colleges over the years.

Business Associate

bhakti@architecturebrio.com

Born and raised in Mumbai, Bhakti graduated from Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture, Mumbai, in 2018. Her thesis ‘The Modern Necropolis’ attempts to use urban design strategies to reimagine spaces associated with death in the dense urban context of South Bombay. During her academia, Bhakti interned at Studio XS in Bangalore, where she worked on a private weekend home in Tamil Nadu that used local building materials and techniques. This experience helped propel her into her first full-time role: a two-year stint at Studio Pomegranate in Mumbai. At SPOM, she worked on the design and master plan of an eco-resort located in the Andaman Islands, which furthered her interests in contextually sensitive design approaches that involve using materials in their true form.

At Architecture BRIO, Bhakti has worked on a residential project in Hyderabad, while also being a part of an interior project team, which exposed her to the world of researching materials and coordinating with different agencies. After two years as an architect at BRIO, Bhakti has completed a marketing and business course with STOA, helping her transition into the role of a Business Associate. Bhakti believes that architecture can be a means to create social change and provide solutions to better the world for the less fortunate, and hopes to use her architectural knowledge and business nous to bring that dream to life.

Executive Assistant

admin@architecturebrio.com

Philomena Fernandes has been an Advisor to the Team Leader at BPO for nine years. She also worked as a teacher in a school. Her function as an Executive Assistant at Architecture BRIO is to handle different office activities and to act as a point of contact between the team and management, scheduling and coordinating client meetings and internal team meetings. Her curiosity towards the field of design piqued her interest and encouraged her to join Architecture BRIO.

Senior Architect

grishma@architecturebrio.com

Born and raised in Mumbai, Grishma graduated from Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture, Mumbai in 2016. Her thesis ‘Architecture for waste’ was a focused approach on rethinking waste as a resource for generating clean energy while integrating the community as a step towards a sustainable future. But to explore her diverse interests, she interned at Studio Grid which enabled her to work on a few Residential Interior projects. At The Architect’s Office TAO, she developed her design and aesthetic sensibilities and gained knowledge of technical details while working on various hospitality projects. She also freelanced for a small boutique from design to execution and then joined Parallax Design Studio to continue working on various hospitality projects where she worked on various conceptual building designs and delivered drawings. Since joining Architecture BRIO, she is pursuing her interest in sustainable design practices.

Senior Architect

yash@architecturebrio.com

Driven by curiosity and guided by democratic values, Yash brings with himself a diverse portfolio of multi-disciplinary industry experience. As a Senior Architect/Team leader at Studio Brio, Yash extensively practices within complex project environments which reflect his expanded interests in architecture as an agency for social impact.

Yash grew up in New Zealand/Australia.  He completed his Masters in Architecture with a distinction from RMIT University (Melbourne) and ETSAB (Barcelona). Over his career he has consciously practiced within Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture and Theatre in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

He decided to move across to Mumbai to further explore the dynamic and interactive building environment that India has to offer. His strengths and interests lie in Design, Strategic frameworks and Community relations, which aids toward his advocacy for collaborative design involving artists, craftsmen and other industry professionals to achieve positive design outcomes. In his personal practice, Yash is involved with UIA (International Union of Architects) as the Australian correspondent for Social Housing and Habitat.

Senior Architect

manvi@architecturebrio.com

Born and raised in Agra, Manvi embarked on her architectural journey with a profound appreciation for design and cultural heritage. She relocated to Jaipur to pursue her architecture degree at Jagannath University, where her passion for creating impactful spaces flourished. During her internship at Hoxton and Urban Architects in Noida, Manvi contributed to a villa project on an artificial island in Dubai, an experience that refined her skills in innovative and sustainable design.

Manvi’s professional trajectory extended across India, where she collaborated with several esteemed design studios. Her tenure of two and a half years at The Purple Ink Studio involved contributing to a diverse range of projects, including institutions to clubhouse. These experiences were pivotal in shaping her architectural philosophy, which emphasizes the significance of context, climate, and cultural nuances in design.

She joined Architecture Brio to work on diverse projects and sharpen her skills for the intricate details that make a design truly exceptional.

Senior Architect

divya@architecturebrio.com

Divya graduated with a B.arch degree from TKMCE, Kerala, in 2017, during which her final-year thesis was nominated for the National Student Thesis Awards (NIASA 2017). She then worked with Studio ACIS, gaining hands-on experience as part of a small team, managing projects from inception to completion. She worked in collaboration with the studio of NO architects on project-basis, and also as a consultant with Inspiration Architects, between 2019-2021. Working with these practises exposed her to a more experimental approach to design, using alternative materials and sustainable construction technology.

Along with a team of three, Divya participated in a design competition hosted by KMRL (Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.) and Government of Kerala, to propose a design for the Water Metro Terminal at Fort Kochi. Her team was awarded runner-up in the competition.

Over the years, Divya has nurtured her passion for architectural photography, documenting the works of leading architects across South India. Her photographs have been published in print media, online magazines, and architectural platforms such as AD, Detail, ArchDaily, Dezeen, etc.

Divya has also collaborated closely with educational institutions across Kerala, hosting architectural photography workshops for B.Arch students. She has delivered lectures at various schools of architecture, including the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut, on the topic “Photography as a tool for observing space”

Since 2020, Divya has been running her own architectural studio in Kochi, alongside her partner, primarily focusing on residential projects. She decided to move to Mumbai and join BRIO, believing that working with a studio such as BRIO would provide invaluable experience that would benefit her own practice when she scales up in the future.

Sakshi Ghulati

Senior Architect

sakshi@architecturebrio.com

Sakshi graduated from Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Mumbai, in 2016. Having spent her entire life in Mumbai, she decided to relocate to Bangalore to kick-start her professional career at Khosla Associates. There, she worked on numerous residential projects at various stages, which sparked her interest in exploring different materials and design details. After returning to Mumbai, she joined sP+a, where she led a multidisciplinary team for seven years, contributing to projects of diverse scales. This experience played a pivotal role in shaping her as a professional and deepened her passion for design beyond architecture. She values collaboration and maintains a constant curiosity in her work.

Sarvesh Alshi

Senior Architect

sarvesh@architecturebrio.com

Sarvesh Alshi has completed his bachelor’s in Architecture from L. S. Raheja School of Architecture, Mumbai in 2015 and masters in Architecture (majors in Architectural design and minors in Conservation) from CEPT University 2018. His professional experience after bachelor’s started with working at Parallax Design Studio for a year. Undertaken in collaboration with the National Museum of Denmark’s Serampore Initiative, his master’s thesis was awarded a Gold Medal. Later, he was associated with CEPT University and Center for Heritage Conservation for more than two years as an Architect, Visiting Faculty, Research Associate. Here he worked on the restoration of the CEPT Faculty of Architecture Building which was originally designed by Pritzker prize winning architect B.V. Doshi in 1962.

Being an advocate of a value-based understanding of the built environment, his interest lies in understanding the spatial meanings behind it. This interest coupled with the experience of dealing with heritage environments informs his attitude to strive for a sensitive approach towards design.

Hardik Dedhia

Senior Architect

hardik@architecturebrio.com

Hardik graduated from the KRVIA, Mumbai in 2016. His thesis “The Dense Urbitat” was in itch to explore super-block high-density housing and self-sufficient neighbourhoods as an idea for the future. At KRVIA, he was a part of an international exchange with the Urban Lab+ and attended a resident cluster meeting held in Switzerland.
After interning at Parallax Design Studio, he went ahead to join them full time in 2016 where he worked on a variety of Architectural and Interior design projects from concept to handovers. This enabled him to refine his technical knowledge, resolving complexities, attention to detail and apply organizing skills to set systems to maintain the creativity-efficiency balance.
Hardik has always approached design via the lens of building technology and strives to merge the two sides of the coin otherwise thought separately. He advocates this further
while teaching as an assistant professor at the AOA, Mumbai where he has been guiding design and technology studies since 2018. After 5 years of experience, he now looks forward to evolve with new knowledge & methodologies at the studio.

Prathyuksha Acharya

Senior Architect

prathyuksha@architecturebrio.com

Prathyuksha earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Manipal School of Architecture and Planning and a Master’s degree from RMIT University in Melbourne. Her capstone project at RMIT reflects the underlying significance of embedded narratives endowed with long-lasting resonance. Her master’s degree has improved her understanding of research-led ideation in design through a non-restricted approach, as well as her capacity to think laterally and effectively. She has worked at Interlock Construction and Danny Broe Architect, both in Sydney, during her time in Australia. She also worked as a research assistant with NH architecture in Melbourne, where she helped with the study and analysis of business-as-usual models for mixed-use developments.

Prior to pursuing her master’s degree, she was an integral part of the design team at Arun Nalapat Architects Bangalore, where she worked on a wide range of projects spanning from healthcare to residential.

Her internship at Studio 4a in Bangalore on small scale inexpensive mud block housing projects shaped her views toward housing affordability, accessibility, and materiality, which she later addressed in her master’s capstone project.

She has joined Architecture BRIO in order to extend her expertise and continue researching the specifics and ethos of long-lasting and site-responsive architecture.

Aditi Bajpai

Architect

aditi@architecturebrio.com

Aditi, A recent CEPT University graduate, she is originally from Lucknow. During her undergraduate career, she worked as an intern in Sri Lanka with Team Architrave and in Paris with Renzo Piano Building Workshop. The varying scale of both practices helped elevate her knowledge in contextuality, materials and construction details. During this period, she acquired a strong interest in travelling and interpreting cities with an overlay of their unique contexts, studying the built and unbuilt through the perspective of culture, history, geography and technology. Aditi was also active in theatre throughout college, temporarily working as a set designer and freelancing as an interior designer. She hopes to use her time at Architecture BRIO to further develop a sharp sense of detailing in design, one that is contextually oriented and sustainable in its approach.

Julia Slopnicka

Architect

julia@architecturebrio.com

Julia comes from Poland and is a TU Delft Architecture Master Program graduate with additional education obtained in Architectural Association in London and a Bachelor degree from Silesian University of Technology in Poland. She has international work experience gained in Munich (Germany), Krakow (Poland), Aarhus (Denmark) and Rotterdam (Netherlands).

Julia has interdisciplinary approach and experience in architectural, interior and exhibition design,  but also with furniture and fashion. Her main focus within the design process is research, creative concept development, graphical design and visualization. She believes in a concept-driven design process, where a strong, research-informed idea plays the leading role in the project development. Julia’s personal ambition  within the field of architecture is the implementation of human-oriented research and cross-disciplinary ideologies into design. She actively explores the role of neuroarchitecture and sensory-based design in contemporary architecture.

Julia joined Architecture BRIO in 2023 and is a part of the Rotterdam office. She collaborates remotely with the Mumbai team and actively works on European projects and competitions.

Mahima Bhat

Architect

mahima@architecturebrio.com

Mahima graduated from the Academy of Architecture in 2021. She is dedicated to creating user-centric designs that enhance communities and is a lifelong learner who finds excitement in the journey from design conceptualization to the tangible reality of built structures.

Originally from Shirgaon, a small town near Ratnagiri, the contrast between her native village and her current residence in Mumbai inspired her thesis, “Krishi-kendra: Centralizing the Locale of Agrarian Mindset in Urban Expansion.”

Mahima completed her internship at Parallax Design Studio in Bandra, where she worked on hospitality projects and several competitions. After graduating, she joined Somaya and Kalappa Consultants, where she worked on various institutional projects. The diverse range of projects and clientele at both firms strengthened her foundation in technical knowledge, project planning, coordination, and management.

At Architecture BRIO, she aims to further her architectural knowledge by exploring design detailing, context-specific design, and sustainability in architecture.

Maria Oplatek

Architect

maria@architecturebrio.com

Born and raised in Poland, Maria felt the necessity to learn and absorb the world through foreign art and architecture. Before starting her studies, she traveled across North and South America, from Toronto to Sao Paulo, where she witnessed the stark contrasts in the living conditions of people.

To understand better if and how architects can bridge these gaps, she pursued master’s degree at TUDelft in the Netherlands, graduating with Cum Laude and Honors. After working both in Poland as well as in the Netherlands, her belief of the scarcity of housing and the need for participatory architecture worldwide was reinforced.

Maria believes in a bottom-up approach, where architects step back to give space and support to the communities they design for. In her practice, she aims to be the medium between people and architecture, addressing the needs and desires of those who are less fortunate.

To do so, she joined Architecture BRIO in the Rotterdam office with hope to contribute her knowledge to cultivating user-oriented approach in everyday’s architectural practice.

Kiran Gutte

BIM Architect

kiran@architecturebrio.com

Kiran Gutte graduated from IES College of Architecture, Mumbai, in 2022. Since then, she has focused on continuous learning and professional development, including obtaining a certified BIM professional credential through the NOVATR platform. Her previous role enabled her to apply her technical skills and gain experience in site responsiveness.

At Architecture Brio, Kiran aims to expand her expertise and explore new approaches to contextually appropriate, sustainable design solutions.

Hriday Gandhi

Architect

hriday@architecturebrio.com

Hriday Gandhi completed his bachelor’s in architecture from School of Environmental Design and Architecture, NUV. Soon after finishing his degree, Hriday spent a year in teaching undergrad architecture students. His thesis – “Re-devising Post Industrial Landscape for Public Use” was the runner up for COA National Award For excellence.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Hriday has also spent considerable time in states like Gujarat and Delhi, pursuing opportunities to create & contribute to meaningful architecture. His work tries to explore the ideas of Timeless design through Frugal innovation.

Anirudh Rampuria

Architect

anirudh@architecturebrio.com

Born and raised in Kolkata, Anirudh graduated from the Sushant School of Art and Architecture in 2020. He began his career at Abin Design Studio (ADS), transitioning from a five-month internship to a full-time architect role. Over three years, he gained experience across a variety of projects, including upscale residences, clubhouses, and commercial spaces, blending architectural and interior design to create cohesive and functional environments.

Anirudh has been part of several notable projects, including leading the design and execution of a luxury private estate, and contributing to ADS’s entry in a public seating installation competition for the National Museum of Qatar. Anirudh also explored furniture design at ADS’s Hands and Minds studio, with his pieces showcased at the Maison&Object exhibition in Paris among others.

At Architecture BRIO, Anirudh looks forward to learning from the studio’s focus on sustainability, collaboration, and experimental design. He brings experience in creating site-sensitive designs that integrate architecture, interiors, and furniture, with a focus on innovative, sustainable solutions.

Bhuvanesh

Architect

bhuvanesh@architecturebrio.com

Based out of Vellore, Bhuvanesh graduated from VIT School of Planning and Architecture in 2022. His passion for envisioning new things made him pursue a career in architecture. He believes that atmospheres have a deep impact on people, and he’s oriented towards deducing and creating the same.

His fascination with exploring new cultures took him to Abin design studio in Kolkata, where he learned fresh perspectives and visited new places. Post graduation, he spent two years contributing to large scale institutional and residential projects at studioarchitectureRED in Chennai.

He spends time walking through unknown streets, taking impressions from nook and corner, tasting food from different cultures and being lost in art, music and cinema

Miloni Doshi

Interior & Product Designer

miloni@architecturebrio.com

Born and raised in Mumbai, Miloni graduated from the Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies in 2018. She completed an internship at Sustainable Urbanism International, where she contributed to urban restoration projects in temple towns across Karnataka. This experience provided her with a deep understanding of the impact of community involvement in tourism and its potential to enhance local communities. Her thesis, “Urban Regeneration of Historic Trade Towns,” reflects this insight, using her ancestral home town as the focus for her research.

Following her graduation, she worked at Pooja Shah Architects on two residential projects. During this tenure, she developed a thorough understanding of the project lifecycle, experimented with various materials, and recognized the critical role of technical details and tactility in architecture to elevate the user experience. She then spent two years freelancing to apply her acquired knowledge before joining STaND Design for a year. There, she focused on hospitality and retail projects, which enabled her to delve into the dynamics of human interaction with products and the intricate relationship between branding and interior design.

With five years of diverse industry experience, she joined Brio with the aim of further deepening her expertise in materials, details, and textures. She aspires to translate these insights into products and sophisticated spaces.

Preeti Dubey

Senior Draughtswoman

preeti@architecturebrio.com

Preeti Dubey is a skilled Autocad draftswoman who has dedicated over ten years of experience to the interior design and architecture industry, directly after completing her higher education.

During this time, she worked at Design hex, Ravi Vazirani Design studio and Abhikalpan architects & planners where she has honed her skills in creating technical drawings, plans and designs. She has worked on a large range of projects, which spans from residential, retail to commercial constructions. Her experience in the field has given her an eye for detail and she is committed to deliver projects on time. She is constantly learning and exploring new ideas, materials, and techniques to enhance her skills and bring a fresh perspective to her work. Her expertise and experience in Autocad make her an asset to the firm.

At Brio, she aspires to reinforce her knowledge and understanding of technical drawings and explore new intricate details of different materials.

Zoya Ajani

Junior Architect

zoya@architecturebrio.com

Zoya completed her bachelor’s in architecture from KRVIA, Mumbai in 2023. She has always been intrigued by unconventional materials, developed interests in their tactility, in exploring joinery mechanisms, alongside creating stimulating designs that best suit the context and its inhabitants. An eye for detail, combined with a yearning to explore sustainability as a foundation for all designs, her thesis as well as her other academic work explore socially responsible and climatically sensitive architecture.

Her constant curiosity and thrill in resolving challenges that come with unfamiliar materials has previously pushed her to explore mud, glulam timber and bamboo. She believes that Brio’s design ideologies align with the way she sees herself working in the future and looks forward to bringing an added vigour to the practice. She hopes her time at Brio to enhances her design competence and helps shape her technical knowledge base.

She has previously gained experience as an architectural intern at GRCA, an exclusive practice based in Bangalore that has successfully executed several projects ranging from factories, apartments, and houses all across the country. During this period, she worked on the architectural designing, detailing and interiors of a residential project in Tumkuru, another in Mumbai, and one set against the backdrop of the Nandi Hills. It was the principal’s humble and honest design approach that she respected the most.

Chaitanya Gajbhiye

Junior Architect

chaitanya@architecturebrio.com

Chaitanya Gajbhiye is an Architect, an Artist, an Animator, and a Filmmaker from India.
He is a graduate of the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi after having completed a successful internship at Pt. Biro Benda, Bali, Indonesia under the guidance of Ar. Alexis Dornier. He served as the National Secretary of the National Association of Students of Architecture (NASA India) in the Executive Council of the 65th Year. With an ambition to provide aid to need-based and deserving students, he undertook an initiative to start NISF – NASA India Scholarship Funds during his tenure as the National Treasurer for the 64th year. He has conducted Trophies and has overseen various Programs and Conventions as a part of NASA India and believes that the initiatives aid in students becoming at the forefront of growth in architecture. He strives to advocate for social change through his design practices. He was a silver medallist at the Asian Contest of Architectural Rookies Awards for 2020 and bagged the Popular Choice award at AYDA for the same year.

Chaitanya’s worldview has been enhanced by avid travel experiences, shaping his cultural perspective, and influencing his creative endeavours. As a filmmaker, Chaitanya has highlighted his creative prowess through several animated short films, earning recognition at various events. Proficient in Blender, a 3D animation software, he not only crafts compelling animations but also imparts his knowledge through filmmaking and Blender workshops at zonal and national conventions. His animated short film “2050” received an honorable mention at the Sunhak Peace Prize Award in 2020, reflecting his commitment to impactful storytelling and artistic excellence.

Heet Shah

Junior Architect

heet@architecturebrio.com

Heet, is an optimistic generalist, raised by individuals with strong cultural values. He graduated from Rachana Sansad’s Academy of Architecture, Mumbai University, where he was exposed to diverse roles & learning strategies developing himself into an ‘abled candidate’ for almost every role in the architectural realm.

His interests in decoding human behaviour in a social context, coupled with the study of humanity & its evolutionary origins – intrigued him to design ‘a Modern Museum’ for his thesis. The idea behind this ‘unconventional institution’ was to convey the narrative of ‘non-linear time’ & give back the local community a landmark. He believes that a ‘sense of belongingness’ to a space creates room for ‘personal identity’ & thus he attempts to translate that sense into an elementary spatial organization.

During his Bachelors, Heet had been actively participating in competitions and won accolades in multiple National & International competitions, related to healthcare & contextually sensitive socio-cultural briefs. Alongside that, he had consistently been the Team Lead for documentation, installations and projects in Academy. During his internship at Parallax Design Studio, he was exposed to the Hospitality sector typology. Later, he also assisted as a freelancing Architect on a Resort in Himachal Pradesh, alongside designing products for craft clusters in collaboration with Tisser India using sustainable local material techniques.

Being an advocate of a value-based understanding of the built environment, Heet has joined BRIO with an attitude to get prepared for what may come & develop a practice which strengthens self-belief.

Parvathy Prabhakar

Junior Architect

parvathy@architecturebrio.com

Born and raised in Thrissur, Kerala, Parvathy pursued her Bachelor’s in Architecture from TKM School of Architecture, Kerala. Her strong passion for art and design guided her towards a career in architecture, where she also fostered a keen interest in capturing the essence of spaces and experiences through photography.

Her thesis, “Beyond Transactions,” explored how revitalizing retail spaces through people-centric activities can enhance social value and transform everyday environments into vibrant, inclusive community spaces.

Following her graduation, Parvathy gained valuable experience as a freelance architect, focusing on the renovation and conservation of a temple in Kerala. This project ignited her interest in sustainable architecture and motivated her to join BRIO, where she seeks to deepen her knowledge and expertise in creating environmentally responsible designs.

Aishwarya Balsekar

Junior Architect

aishwaryab@architecturebrio.com

Aishwarya, an architect from Rachana Sansad’s Academy of Architecture, just earned a master’s degree from Spain’s Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities. With a specialization in sustainability and a passion for experiential architecture, she has honed a skill set that enables her to create environments that use a play of materials, culture, spatial design, and utility to both excite and intrigue users.

Aishwarya has always had an artistic flair and combines her knowledge of colors, textures, and perception to help design user-centric spaces. According to her, culture, history, and passive techniques are crucial since they will prevent a community’s identity from being lost due to increased urbanization. Her master’s thesis, “The Inherent Adaptability of Materials in Architecture,” and her bachelor’s thesis, “The Spiritual Transcendence of Sacred Architecture,” both highlight these ideals. While two distinct subjects, each concentrated on user-centric and environmentally conscious designs, local architectural techniques, sensory stimulation, and local adaptability.

Through her love for research, travels and explorations, she continues to learn and grow as a designer. Having freelanced in interior design and furniture design, Aishwarya hopes to bring this attention to detail and her enthusiasm to the Architecture Brio Team while hoping to harness new skills along the way.

Sahil Mascarenhas

Junior Architect

sahil@architecturebrio.com

Sahil is a graduate of Asmita College of Architecture in Mumbai, where he developed a deep passion for design. Originating from Vasai, Sahil has long been committed to expanding his architectural knowledge. His career goal is to practice architecture in a manner that benefits the community, a vision that guided his thesis project, ‘Interpretation Centre for the East Indian Community’. This project aimed to address the needs of marginalized groups by providing an innovative architectural solution that offers a space for voicing opinions and showcasing history and culture.

During his internship at Studio PPBA, a boutique firm in Pune, Sahil gained valuable experience in sustainable and humane architectural practices. He contributed to a range of projects, including private residences and community initiatives.

Following his graduation, Sahil joined ACKM Design Studio in Mumbai, where he spent a year developing his skills in site management and practical application of architectural principles.

Sahil is eager to further refine his expertise in sustainable design, adopt a more contextual approach to architecture, and enhance his attention to detail at Architecture BRIO.

Aakriti Khanna

Junior Architect

aakriti@architecturebrio.com

Aakriti has completed her Architecture from the Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies, Mumbai in 2023. With a keen eye for detail and a research-based approach, she works towards enhancing human experiences at various scales. She offers valuable hands-on experience gained through internships and academic projects. Her strong design sensibility and adaptive nature facilitates effective ideation that contributes to productive design development, documentation, and client interactions in rapidly changing environments.

Her Bachelor’s thesis, titled “Sitopolis: Food and its Production in an Urban Fabric,” aims to rekindle people’s awareness and relationship with food, through architecture. It seeks to re-imagine the food system through efficient and sustainable production, storage and distribution; ensuring quality and nutrition while striving towards food security. The thesis also emphasizes on engaging the community within these greener, softer spaces in our future cities.

She has previously worked with RAD Co + Lab, a Mumbai-based firm, where she contributed to architectural and interior design for residential and commercial projects as well as furniture and product design. Additionally, her experience at KNS Architects on residential projects also provided her with practical insights into site co-ordination and the understanding of various materials.

Aakriti’s perspective has been enriched by her avid travels, where she delights in exploring the art, culture and cuisine of the places she visits. She believes that Brio’s design philosophy aligns perfectly with her professional aspirations and looks forward to enhancing her design capabilities and broadening her technical knowledge while eagerly contributing to the firm’s success.

Saurav Kadam

Junior Architect

saurav@architecturebrio.com

Saurav graduated from Pillai College of Architecture, New Panvel, in 2022. During his studies, he interned with M/s Prabhakar Bhagwat (Landscape India), gaining exposure to master planning projects of significant scale and developing a keen eye for detail within broader project contexts.

Hailing from a diverse cultural background—a Maharashtrian from Southern India raised in Mumbai—Saurav’s upbringing fuelled his curiosity about cultural dynamics, which in turn extended in his thesis, ‘Multiculturalism – Reimagined Through a Public Gathering Lens,’ which explored the integration of cultures in rapidly evolving urban settings. He advocates for architecture that is sensitive to its context and climate.

With these values post-graduation, Saurav continued his learning journey at KSM Architecture, Chennai, as a Junior Architect. KSM’s ethos of sustainable, energy-efficient modern design aligned with his values. Here, he contributed to projects spanning schools, offices, and private residences, engaging in design development, detailing, and on-site execution.

Driven by his passion for context-sensitive design, Saurav joined Architecture Brio, renowned for their innovative approach and contextual sensitivity.

Abhinit Bhoyar

Junior Architect

abhinit@architecturebrio.com

Abhinit, a resident of Nagpur, graduated from Rizvi College of Architecture in Mumbai in 2024. He is passionate about photography and cinematography, often capturing the vibrant essence of urban streets. His love for travel led him to Ahmedabad, where a visit to BV Doshi’s Premabhai Hall sparked a deeper interest in architecture.

For his thesis, Abhinit explored the impact of Brutalism in India, delving into the emergence of modern architecture and the intricate play of materiality within it. During his undergraduate years, he interned with SRM Architects in Udaipur. There, he contributed to a range of projects, from hospitality interiors to architectural design, gaining valuable insights into contemporary uses of vernacular materials and sustainable construction practices in Rajasthan.

His blend of academic expertise and practical experience, especially with his focus on Brutalism, has intensified his curiosity to explore materials beyond concrete. He is now committed to discovering contextually appropriate and sustainable materials for future architectural projects, all while establishing a unique position within the field.

Kanchan Pawar

Junior Architect

kanchan@architecturebrio.com

Born and raised in Mumbai, Kanchan graduated from the Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture, Mumbai. During her undergraduate studies, she developed a strong interest in context-based and sensory architecture, believing that every space should be thoughtfully designed to engage the senses and positively influence human behavior.

Her thesis, “Beneath the Canopy”, explores how architecture can enhance the quality of life for individuals with limited lifespans by creating spaces that prioritize comfort, dignity, and healing through thoughtful design, the integration of nature, and multisensory experiences.

Kanchan gained professional experience as an architectural intern at Collage Architecture Studio, a multidisciplinary practice in Bangalore. During her tenure, she contributed to various projects, including residential, interior, and commercial designs. Following her graduation, she completed the LxS Europe Summer Architecture Program 2024, an intensive 180-hour course analyzing award-winning European architecture projects with a focus on advanced design strategies and critical thinking. Her team project, “Adaptive Reuse Industrial Heritage Architecture Design Solution for Lisbon Fablab Innovation Center”, received an Award of Excellence for its sensitive and practical design approach.

At Architecture BRIO, Kanchan aims to deepen her understanding of sustainability and refine her approach to contextually sensitive and socially responsible architecture.

Mansi Gohil

Junior Architect

mansi@architecturebrio.com

Mansi was born and raised in Bharuch, Gujarat, and later moved to Vadodara to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. During her time at the university, her passion for exploring cultural influences on architecture and creating designs that respond to public needs began to take shape.

Her internship at Samira Rathod Design Atelier provided her with valuable experience, particularly in contributing to the design of the Kochi Biennale Pavilion. This opportunity further honed her interest in the intersection of art and architecture. Additionally, her involvement in designing products for The Kit of Parts Exhibition at an art gallery in Colaba expanded her creative horizons, leading her to explore the field of product design.

Mansi has always been drawn to addressing urban socio-economic and cultural issues through the lens of design. Her thesis, “Forest of Claims,” examines the Aarey Milk Colony, highlighting the impact of urbanization on forests and the need for greater environmental awareness. It proposes a center to foster dialogue and encourage local initiatives, promoting a deeper sense of responsibility toward conservation.

After completing her degree, Mansi worked on several freelance projects before joining Brio, where she aims to further develop her expertise in contextually responsive design and refine her skills in design detailing

Alfiya Shaikh

Junior Architect

alfiya@architecturebrio.com

Driven by a curiosity about the intersection of technology and design, Alfiya approaches architecture as a discipline that harmonizes innovation with cultural and environmental sensitivity. She holds a B.Arch from Pune University and an M.Arch in Architectural Tectonics from CEPT University, where she specialized in structural detailing, as well as parametric and computational design. Her bachelor’s thesis, “Re imagining Gulmarg: A Sustainable Winter Sports and Tourist Destination,” explored computational design strategies for extreme climates, establishing her focus on context-driven design and parametric form exploration.

Balancing academics with freelance projects, she gained practical experience in translating ideas into built form. She is committed to redefining parametric design, often viewed as an isolated or alien addition to architecture, by demonstrating its potential to enhance and innovate the Indian architectural fabric. Currently, she is advancing her skills in BIM technologies to integrate digital tools throughout the design and construction process.

Beyond architecture, she draws inspiration from existential literature, finding in authors like Dostoevsky, Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf, and Edmund Freud a deeper understanding of space, emotion, and narrative in design.

For Alfiya, architecture is a lifelong journey of learning and creation—an opportunity to leave behind a tangible legacy that resonates across generations. Through her role at Architecture BRIO, she aspires to contribute to projects that seamlessly marry technological innovation with contextual sensitivity.