In conversation with Palak Jhunjhunwala, co-founder of Beyonddesign

This month we caught up with Palak Jhunjhunwala, co-founder of Beyonddesign, a forward-thinking architecture and design practice with studios in London and Mumbai.

Palak shares with us her upbringing in Mumbai, from a fulfilling childhood with plenty of opportunities, to her education at Mumbai’s leading architecture school, followed by her Masters in the UK.

She then goes on to tell us the vision behind setting up her own architectural practice, from the initial idea to the execution, which happened none other than during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a focus on some of the most exciting projects in the UK, India, and beyond, Palak is only getting started on her journey.

Despite the planning and development challenges in Indian cities, like Mumbai, she sees these as opportunities to do better. And for Palak, talking about the change isn’t enough, she wants to be that change.

Amongst the inspiring words of wisdom, we close the conversation with some of Palak’s favourite parts about Indian culture.

Grab a chai and dive in!

Discovering a love for architecture

Palak was born and raised in the busyness of the Mumbai city, to a typical set of business-homemaker parents. She was fortunate to live in the South (and more planned) part of the city, with easy access to school and other activities such as dance, music, art and sport that have influenced the person she is today. She was given exposure and opportunity to discover and thrive in the creative space.

“I remember my first month at architecture school and the sense of belonging and content that I felt."

Like many young South Asians, architecture was not on Palak’s radar. Alongside much of the Indian population, she wanted to be a doctor or an engineer, both careers deemed reputable and successful.

When architecture was introduced to her as option, she was instantly drawn in.

“I discovered the harmonious blend architecture offered, between creative expression and science... I remember my first month at architecture school and the sense of belonging and content that I felt. It was a satisfying moment of convergence for me.”

Studying architecture both in India and the UK

“Starting architecture school at first, was a gamble. I knew I had other options if I changed my mind (I had done all the entrance exams!). I went in with an open mind and no expectation, and I was positively surprised.”

Palak started her architectural education at Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture (KRVIA), Mumbai University in 2007. The first couple of years of architecture at her university were more about deconstruction, design and breaking boundaries.

Following five years of architecture at KRVIA, Palak completed a post professional masters at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL a few years later. At the Bartlett, Palak chose to do a research-based masters that focused on innovation using digital design and manufacturing with Ai, robotics, 3D printing and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

Despite a common rhetoric that architectural education is often Eurocentric, with limited discussion about non-male and/or ethnic minority designers, Palak didn’t find this to be an issue in her education in India.

“During my time at KRVIA, I didn’t feel a sense of Eurocentrism. Of course, we learnt about Tschumi, Enric Miralles and Alto but not much more than that of Charles Correa, Laurie Baker and Raj Rewal. At UCL, the context was different as only a handful of universities in London, USA and Germany were working with similar levels of technology and design integration.”

Founding her own architectural practice

“Our first four projects all came together at the perfect moment, the stars aligned and before we knew it, we were open for business." Palak always knew she would start her own architectural practice. She first came close to starting a practice in 2015, just before she moved to London. However, it wasn’t quite the right time, and she revisited the idea a few years later during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“In 2020, a series of lockdowns followed by inactivity due to the spread of the pandemic, gave me the time and mental space to revisit the idea [of starting my own practice]. Luckily, my business partner and I, and our first four projects all came together at the perfect moment, the stars aligned and before we knew it, we were open for business.”

This is when Beyonddesign was created, a forward-thinking architecture and design practice with studios in London and Mumbai. They work with private, public and commercial clients to achieve high-quality, innovative, and sustainable designs.

Palak set up Beyonddesign with Giacomo Calisti, a fellow Architect, with a focus on heritage and inclusive design. He oversees the practice's strategic development in the UK, Europe, and India markets.

Palak with her co-founder, Giacomo Calisti.

Although both Palak and Giacomo are based in London, they work between both the UK and India, as being at the heart of developments is key to their progress.

“Both Giacomo and I are based in London, and shuttle between the UK and India (and other locations). From early on, it was important for us to have part of the team locally in India, to provide the kind of support that our clients expected. Once we started to grow our team in both locations, due to difference in business cultures, mindsets and logistics, we saw the growing complexities that came alongside this. The two contexts are starkly different, and working continually in both contexts keeps us on our toes, but it simultaneously provides endless opportunity to be adaptable and versatile unlike others. It helps us to understand people more holistically, transfer knowledge seamlessly and be aware of a world that is global.”

Ultimately, though, running one’s practice is about being the change.

“Running a practice provides the opportunity to change the ‘can be’ to making it happen.”

Projects across continents and cultures

Palak and Giacomo have an exciting pipeline of projects on the go. Currently, they are working on a new research and development centre and offices for a tyre manufacturer in India alongside a mix of private residential extensions and retrofits, and mixed-use developments in the UK. Over the last year they have also established a few collaborations through which they are working on a high-end commercial scheme in Ahmedabad, a set of permanent art installations in Frankfurt, design of concrete cladding panels with a company based in Udaipur and exploring versatility of form using highly sustainable MMC systems in UK.

The Beyonddesign team.

How growing up in India has influenced Palak’s career

“Moving to the UK after living in India has revealed a way of existing and co-existing that is different.”

Palak describes India as a land of opportunities – if you want it to be.

“Growing up in India exposes you to as much as you want to be exposed to. It’s a highly segregated society, which can form a complex setting. Simultaneously, there is great energy, tremendous drive, momentum, and vision. We (Indians) are fairly peaceful and helpful but carry a level of scepticism and distrust for others. One tends to develop instinctive caution."

Being raised in an incredibly diverse culture and country has had a huge impact on Palak’s ways of working.

“Personally, I think growing up in India has given me a go-getter attitude and put things into perspective. Moving to the UK after living in India has revealed a way of existing and co-existing that is different. It has helped me develop new instincts and new attitudes. It has helped me to appreciate diversity in thought, preferences and being.”

Biggest architectural opportunities in Mumbai

“We’re still not building sustainable cities or inclusive cities [in India]. The cost of living and buying property is disproportionate to one’s earnings.”

Despite the challenges of uncontrolled, unsustainable planning and development in Mumbai, coupled with huge disparities in one’s income and purchasing parity, Palak is hopeful that a new generation of creatives can help transform the city with a more positive outlook.

“Mumbai is a city of dreams... It’s very densely populated due to the limited space in the city owing to its landform and uncontrolled unplanned development. Currently, the city is seeing the emergence of two multibillion £ infrastructure projects which will have a significant impact on the daily lives of a large part of the population. However, I think some of the important conversations and implementation of those conversations are yet to be had. We’re still not building sustainable cities or inclusive cities. The cost of living and buying property is disproportionate to one’s earnings. However, there is a fantastic new generation of architects, artists and intellectuals emerging, forming a great community. It all feels very hopeful.”

Biggest challenges in architecture

As with many others, Palak echoes the challenges of policy, regulations and long working hours in hindering the progress of architects.

“Although fees have remained the same, expectations are increasing and as a result, the quality of the architecture often suffers.”

However, Palak is positive about the development of Ai.

“Contrary to what a lot of people believe, automation of some of the mechanical functions that architects currently undertake, using Ai (and other) tools might help to bring back the focus of architects to space, experience, and human relationships.”

“The good and bad news is that we have a long, long way to go. It’s good because it offers opportunity to do better and bad for obvious reasons.”

The fun stuff

We couldn’t close this interview without asking Palak her best parts about Indian culture.

• Favourite architectural masterpiece in India or South Asia more broadly? “I love stepwells. The Chand Baori in Rajasthan is a masterpiece. It was commissioned by King Chanda, but unfortunately, the architect is unknown.”

• Favourite South Asian food? “Pani puri and pav bhaji are my favourites!”

• Favourite Bollywood film? “I’m currently obsessed with Bollywood sport films like 83 and Chak de India.”

• What does South Asian Heritage Month mean to you in three words. “Filling-in the gaps.”

An absolute delight to chat with Palak and learn more about her life, her vision and her favourite food, which happens to be our founder, Priya’s too! Learn more about Beyonddesign here: https://beyondd.studio/about/