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/

The silent taboo – later living in South Asian communities

By Priya Aggarwal-Shah, PREACH Inclusion® (formerly BAME in Property Ltd) and Bhavini Shah Montagu Evans)

Please note that this article was published prior to the new brand name of PREACH Inclusion® on 25 April 2024, so you will notice references to BAME in Property.

Why has multigenerational living remained the preferred option in South Asian communities? And why is there such a taboo with exploring later living housing options in these communities?

These were some of the questions asked during a panel discussion with thought leaders at a BAME in Property and NLA event in London on Wednesday 19th July. The event was part of South Asian Heritage Month, which runs from 18th July to 17th August. Our esteemed panel included:

• Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Founder and Director of BAME in Property Ltd (Chair)
• Vinesh Pomal, Senior Architect at Butcher Bayley Architects
• Tahera Rouf, Project Leader at RCKa
• Lucy Hales, Head of Co-housing at Housing 21
• Dipa Joshi, Partner (Residential Lead) at Fletcher Priest Architects

From left to right: Tahera Rouf, Dipa Joshi, Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Vinesh Pomal and Lucy Hales.

'The need for a broader range of later living options for South Asian communities is becoming increasingly apparent.'

In the UK, we have an ageing population and increasingly ethnically diverse population. In some towns and cities, the South Asian population is in the majority, including in places like Leicester and Kirklees, and in London, areas like Harrow, Hounslow, Ealing and Brent.

However, current later living options are not always culturally appropriate, with fewer vegetarian or halal etc. catering options, language barriers between residents and carers, and little to no, religious, and cultural amenities located near developments.

With limited later living options for the South Asian community, multigenerational living has remained the preferred option.

Although multigenerational living is more common in South Asian communities; with new developments generally being smaller in size, and younger generations assimilating to western cultures, the need for a broader range of later living options for South Asian communities is becoming increasingly apparent.

The discussion explored the following themes:

Multigenerational living

"Having my [late] grandfather in the family home was not only an important part of Gujarati culture, but it was also essential to prevent loneliness..." - Vinesh

There’s no secret that multigenerational living is the preferred option in many South Asian communities. Vinesh shared his experience of co-caring for his late grandfather, a decision that was a no-brainer in his family, despite his deteriorating health. He explained how having his late grandfather in the family home was not only an important part of Gujarati culture, but it was also essential to prevent loneliness and provide a sense of familiarity for him.

Tahera talked of the exchange of knowledge, skills and languages across generations within multigenerational families, sharing how her nieces and nephews have picked up the Bangla language through regular communication with their grandparents, who live with them. There was also the added benefit of grandparents helping with childcare, which is a necessity as much as it is a blessing. This can often determine where grandparents live, either within a multigenerational arrangement itself, or where they move to in the future, if considering a later living option.

'You just don’t put your grandparents into a care home!'

Dipa continued by also sharing her experience of looking after her late grandmother. When the Council refused to provide a lift within her home to help with mobility challenges, Dipa used her architectural background to retrofit the home herself, providing a chair lift and extending the time her grandmother could remain in her own home. During this time, she had a Gujarati carer to provide home care in a familiar language and cook authentic Gujarati food, which was essential for her wellbeing.

She later moved to a care home for South Asian older people, meaning specific social and religious activities were planned around the residents’ needs.

Although Vinesh, Tahera and Dipa shared different experiences, there was a consensus that 'you just don’t put your grandparents into a care home!’ With many enthusiastic nods in the audience, this was clearly a sentiment felt by many.

The importance of listening and codesigning with communities

Lucy talked about the development of cohousing, a concept by Housing21 in Birmingham, where homes are designed in conjunction with the local South Asian community for social rent. The consultation with the community flagged the need for independence and a community feeling, leading to the design of spaces such as gardens to be maintained by residents and communal cooking. This highlights the importance of engagement and design in creating spaces people can, and want to, live in.

Vinesh also talked about specific design features which are common within many South Asian homes, including a porch as you enter, to remove shoes and any other outdoor clothing, alongside a toilet and/or washbasin, to immediately wash hands. While these design features may seem specific to South Asian communities, they are clearly beneficial and usable by many others.

Location, location, location

'A central location [for later living developments] is key to reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation and maintaining a link to community and culture.'

While there is often this romanticised idea of where later living homes should be, usually in the suburbs or countryside, there was agreement amongst the panellists about options within town centres. On the one hand, a central location is key to reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation and maintaining a link to community and culture (e.g., proximity to a gurdwara, temple or mosque). On the other hand, it’s about remembering the spending power of this group, often referred to as "the grey pound", and the impact they can have on the local economy, particularly if later living schemes are located in town centres to diversify housing options.

Ensuring affordable options to reflect a diversity of wealth

"Planning policy needs to reflect a diversity of needs." - Lucy

Finally, we talked about the importance of planning policy to reflect the needs of those requiring affordable later living options and not just a luxury offer. There was an acknowledgement that many ethnic minority communities are outpriced from later living options for this very reason, forcing them into overcrowded homes, rather than a positive multigenerational experience.

Networking and follow up

The discussion continued well into the evening over networking, where it was clear that we’d only scratched the surface on this topic. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more content about later living in ethnic minority communities, so look out for this on our social media channels.

Thanks to everyone who joined us and shared their experiences too.

South Asian Heritage Month Special, In conversation with Roma the Engineer

Please note that this article was published prior to the new brand name of PREACH Inclusion® on 25 April 2024, so you will notice references to BAME in Property.

To mark South Asian Heritage Month 2021, BAME in Property is delighted to bring you a fascinating and personal interview with Roma Agrawal, aka 'Roma the Engineer'. Roma is an award-winning engineer, author and broadcaster. From footbridges and sculptures, to train stations and skyscrapers – including The Shard – she has left an indelible mark on London’s landscape. Born in India, Roma has been inspired by Bombay's apartment blocks and colourful heritage in her own life and work. She has made her mark across Science and Engineering through her advocacy and diversity work, inspiring the next generation of female and BAME engineers. The author of several books, we are also thrilled to share some key insights on her latest children's book, How was that built. Grab a chai and dive in!

1. Let's start from the beginning; tell us about you, your upbringing and education.

I was born in Bombay (as it was called at the time) then shortly left to live in the USA on the East Coast. My family moved back to Bombay when I was 7, and then I came to the UK for my A levels when I was 16. I always loved maths and science and knew I wanted a career somewhere in these fields but I didn't know what I wanted to do until I was about 20! So I came into engineering circuitously.

2. What inspired you to study physics, a subject dominated by men, and subsequently pursue a career in structural engineering? Tell us about some of the high-profile projects you've worked on.

"I didn't really think about the fact that physics would be male dominated, I just went along with it, but I definitely had a crisis of confidence when I started at Oxford."

Not knowing what career I wanted, I decided to do physics at university because I liked it, and because I knew that I could do a wide range of jobs from there - physics kept my options open. I didn't really think about the fact it would be male dominated, I just went along with it, but I definitely had a crisis of confidence when I started at Oxford. One summer during my undergraduate degree, I had a job to earn some extra cash, and I was lucky enough to be sitting in an office with engineers (although my job didn't entail engineering). I watched them work and realised that they were using maths and physics to solve problems, and I was hooked. I chose structural engineering because I had wanted to be an architect when I was a teenager so I thought this would also satisfy my curiosity of building. I was lucky to have worked on some amazing projects during my career. I'm best known for my work on The Shard, on which I spent six years, and I also worked on the design of a footbridge in Newcastle, a train station in South London, and a few residential buildings in central London.

3. What influence has growing up in India had on your career?

"Our preferences for how we live are strongly influenced by culture."

I lived in a concrete apartment block which was seven stories tall next to the beach and loved it. We had communal space and lots of friends to play with. That upbringing made me realise how our preferences for how we live are strongly influenced by culture, and that I was very happy living in a flat in London because that's how I'd grown up, whereas most people I know here aspire to buy a house with a garden. It means that I believe there are lots of different ways that people can live and be comfortable and happy. My diverse background and associated life experiences also makes me more attuned to where I feel spaces aren't working for everyone.

4. You're the author of several books, tell us about these and your latest children's book, 'How was that built'?

"I wanted to inspire young people and show them what an exciting opportunity becoming an engineer can be."

I followed the usual career path of working on projects, taking on growing responsibility, and honing my technical and communication skills for the early years of my career. While working on The Shard, I began receiving loads of invites to speak at school and universities because I don't look like the typical engineer. I realised I was good at breaking down complex technical principles and explaining engineering in an exciting way, so I wanted to inspire young people and show them what an exciting opportunity becoming an engineer can be. After years of doing dozens of talks a year for many years, I decided to write Built: The Hidden Stories Behind our Structures. It's written for the layperson and has loads of interesting anecdotes and fascinating stories from history. After receiving glowing reviews in outlets such as The Observer, The Financial Times, The Guardian and our industry trade press, I decided that a children's version was needed, and How Was That Built? was born. The book has structures from all seven continents, underwater and space, with lots of wonderful, diverse role models. It's being published on 16 September this year, and I'm really excited about it!

5. Tell us more about the diversity initiatives you're involved in? What has been your greatest achievement in this space? Why is levelling the playing field so important in structural engineering?

I've been involved in many initiatives including being part of the CIC Diversity Panel. I engage with most of the major engineering institutions on their campaigns and also with all my employers. My greatest achievement is actually slightly outside the engineering world -- it's the mentoring scheme I've launched to support underrepresented science writers, called ScienceWrite The publishing world in the UK also has a major diversity problem, and I want to empower writers from different backgrounds to be able to write and make a name for themselves. It's in its first year and we're hoping to expand in the future (funding dependent!).

6. As this is a South Asian Heritage Month special interview, here's some quickfire questions!

Favourite city or place in South Asia? Bombay, there is a buzz in that city that cannot be rivalled.

Favourite South Asian food or cuisine? Chaat, always chaat!

Favourite Bollywood film. Hmm, I'm a huge Aamir Khan fan, so most of his work really! If I had to pick, I'd say Lagaan had a lasting impact on me.

What does South Asian Heritage Month mean to you in three words. Learning our history.

Thank you, Roma for sharing your fascinating career and life with us, we wish you all the best in the publication of your upcoming book.

Celebrating the contributions of Ugandan Indians arriving in the UK in the early 1970s

Please note that this article was published prior to the new brand name of PREACH Inclusion® on 25 April 2024, so you will notice references to BAME in Property.

This #SouthAsianHeritageMonth we celebrate the courage and tenacity of the Ugandan Asians who came to the UK in the toughest of circumstances but who thrived – not just for themselves but for their community too. BAME in Property committee member and Associate at Montagu Evans, Bhavini Shah shares her story of Ugandan Indians and their influence in the UK, especially Leicester.

On 4 August 1972, Idi Amin who was President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979, ordered the expulsion of Uganda’s South Asian minority, giving them 90 days to leave the country, accusing them of “sabotaging Uganda’s economy and encouraging corruption”. Although they formed the minority of the country’s population, it is important to note that official figures suggest that the Ugandan-Asians contributed to circa 90% of Uganda’s tax receipts in 1972.

Official figures suggest that the Ugandan-Asians contributed to circa 90% of Uganda’s tax receipts in 1972.

Estimates of the total number of Ugandan-Asians expelled from Uganda varies but range between 55,000 – 80,000 people with the number of people coming to the UK around 28,000. Ugandan-Asians were pretty-much stripped of their assets and possessions with people even reported being held at gun point by officers before leaving the country to take valuable personal possessions.

A BBC article from 18 September 1972 reports on the first 193 Ugandan-Asians arriving into Stansted Airport that very morning. Some had made their own arrangements with family and friends whilst others were taken to an RAF camp at Stradishall in Suffolk, which was organised by the UK Ugandan Resettlement Board. The families who arrived mostly settled in already established communities in areas such as London and the East Midlands with most Ugandan Asians (around 20,000) settling in Leicester.

It is in business that Ugandan Asians have made the biggest impact because that is where most of their success in Uganda lay. They were highly educated and familiar with British customs. Though Amin took their possessions, they had not lost their skills, university degrees or network of community contacts that would see many of their businesses rise from the ashes. They helped each other to help themselves.

‘you can take someone's money, but you cannot take their know-how.'

Arriving with nothing, they quickly set about trying to rebuild the luxurious lives many had lived in East Africa. Industrialist Manubhai Madhvani, who died in 2011 aged 81, was a regular in the annual Rich Lists. He lost everything in 1972 but his business empire had interests in sugar, brewing and tourism. He once said ‘you can take someone's money, but you cannot take their know-how.'

But it wasn’t easy in the early years. Those with professional skills in teaching or medicine, for example, found that their skills were not transferrable or needed to be topped up. One man, Vinod Kotecha, was a pharmacist in Uganda, but his diploma was not recognised in the UK. He was told by the pharmacy association that he would have to study again from A-levels upwards to get the required qualifications recognised in the UK and he really tried to get these qualifications but he ended up working as filing clerk in the local health authority in Leicester.

School-age Ugandan Asians who finished off their school studies in the UK were less likely to get a job compared to their white counterparts so many young people continued their studies. When young Ugandan Asians did get a job, it was after having to attend more interviews that their white counterparts.

Ugandan Asians had taken over 4,000 grocery stores, 1,000 newsagents, 500 sub-post offices and 300 pharmacies with young Ugandan Asians forming a ‘rising generation’ who were winning a substantial amount of university places and figuring prominently in GCSE results.

One theory from M. H. Freeman’s thesis Asian enterprise in Leicester is that ‘[Ugandan] Asian businessmen have frequently limited themselves to markets where they cannot be perceived as a threat by white people. Significant penetration into the white market has only been achieved in spheres considered undesirable by white traders. Grocery shops, newsagents, taxi-hire, of licences predominate for Asians; areas in which white entrepreneurs have long been in retreat.’ In fact, a Daily Mail article from 11 February 1976, titled ‘Service with a smile back in Britain’, estimated that Ugandan Asians had taken over 4,000 grocery stores, 1,000 newsagents, 500 sub-post offices and 300 pharmacies with young Ugandan Asians forming a ‘rising generation’ who were winning a substantial amount of university places and figuring prominently in GCSE results.

Furthermore, an article by the Loughborough Echo newspaper, dated 10 January 1974, found that 90% of Ugandan Asians in the area were already working. The remaining 10% were either elderly or were unskilled.

‘…we can learn a lot from the Asians living here especially when it comes to family loyalties, respect of children to parents and sheer hard work to gain better standards from a poorer background.'

In Leicester, Ugandan Asians’ presence has transformed the city from a depressed and deprived East Midlands town through the establishment of businesses, creation of community groups, entering politics and reinforcing the importance of education to future generations which has supported the strong communities in Belgrave, Melton Road and Rushey Mead and perhaps even further afield outside of their immediate community: in the opinions page of the Leicester Mercury newspaper from 30 August 1972, a reader noted that ‘…we can learn a lot from the Asians living here especially when it comes to family loyalties, respect of children to parents and sheer hard work to gain better standards from a poorer background.'

It is almost 50 years since Ugandan Asians were expelled from Uganda. Many have since returned but just as many have stayed and had families. The impact of this community is strong and continues today with some high profile success stories:

• Lata Patel who was mayor of Brent from 1996-97;
• Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, MBE, is one of Britain's most distinguished columnists (we note she left Uganda shortly before the official expulsion);
• Asif Din was an accomplished Warwickshire cricketer from 1981 to 1995, whose family arrived in the UK in 1972 with £50 to their name; and
• Tarique Ghaffur, CBE, was promoted to Assisstant Commissioner within the Metroppilitan Police and headed three of the Met’s Operational Command Units: the Directorate of Performance, Review and Standards in 2001; the Specialist Crime Directorate from November 2002; and Central Operations from 2006.

Do you have roots in Uganda too? Share your story in the comments below.

Image: Thousands of Ugandan Asians fled to the UK after Idi Amin ordered their expulsion, Getty Images, posted on the BBC.