--- title: "SJK Architects: Our Philosophy, Design Ethos and Recognitions" description: "Discover the design philosophy of SJK Architects. We blend heritage with modernity to craft spaces that tell stories. Explore our recognition and awards." canonical: https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential/our-voice-philosophy-recognition last_updated: 2025-09-04 --- # Our Design Philosophy and Recognition Tribe Verified · 30 years of crafting iconic Indian spaces. By [SJK Architects](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects) · Based in Colaba, Mumbai; Projects across India · ₹550 per sq. ft. (estimate) Part of [Architectural Design - Residential](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential/gallery) Architecture is a conversation between tradition and modernity. Here is the spirit behind our practice, the team we work with, and the milestones that mark our journey. ## Photos and videos - ![We are a practice led by four female partners, a fact we are proud of. This image, part of a feature for the INDE Awards, captures our collaborative spirit.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eac4eb01-f6b7-4b36-9256-43892333b956) - ![The entire SJK Architects team. We believe architecture is a team sport, and our studio is an orchestra of diverse talents working in harmony to create thoughtful, impactful spaces.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/50141abc-5b6c-4067-981a-f56cfb57e360) - ![Featured on the cover of Commercial Design magazine. The story delves into our journey of crafting cultural narratives through architecture and leading a practice in India for over three decades.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f67ff31e-9ae6-40d4-84d4-c83e60bad51b) - ![A quote from our founding partner, Shimul Javeri Kadri: "Beyond celebrating their inherent beauty, our work seeks to employ crafts as a tool for problem-solving." This is central to our design ethos.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e2ab9a4a-191e-48c9-ba77-74e9aca26c0f) - ![Partner Sarika Shetty shares our aspiration: "We aspire to refine our practice through research, innovation, cultural context, and local techniques that have stood the test of time."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9c5ca16b-0707-486e-b9f9-3fa3c8a15613) - ![Partner Vaishali Mangalvedhekar on our creative process: "We advocate for the practice of pause, emphasizing the importance of being present, listening to one's thoughts, and fostering creativity."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c7a8a475-4271-43c3-9495-76b9617ebc97) - ![Partner Roshni Kshirsagar on our approach: "We work with the seen and the unseen, relooking at conventional paradigms at every opportunity."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3497ad8a-199f-414f-82a7-19b4c97344ac) - ![We are honored that our Founding Partner, Shimul Javeri Kadri, was recognized as a Luminary at the 2024 INDE Awards for her contribution to architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/03a16bee-5696-4664-b0a8-ca15a2ca831e) - ![We are proud to be included once again in the prestigious AD100 list by Architectural Digest India, a recognition of the most influential architects and designers in the country.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cd2da7a1-c91e-4f75-ac44-3b222b2637a8) - ![A spread from Livingetc India magazine featuring our partners and our work. The article discusses our journeys in architecture and the experience of leading an empowered, women-led practice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/55820694-c49f-48ff-9b20-6547c0d7d910) - ![Principal Architects Sarika Shetty and Shimul Javeri Kadri featured in The Architect's Diary for their work on the Boat Club Apartments, a project that combines communal living with privacy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ec07d2d9-1b26-4638-aa1f-90aae887f750) - ![Our founder, Shimul Javeri Kadri, with the renowned architect Peter Zumthor at the 'Samatva' exhibition, which celebrated the work of women in architecture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a563bfd4-7b15-4ff4-8f12-c949de7e45c9) - ![This image of our studio captures our design philosophy of finding beauty in simplicity and the quality of light. The brass pendant lights, some sourced from markets and others custom-made, reflect our love for research and refined details.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f3be4b37-17e8-41d3-bb06-b51853da1013) - ![Text explaining the inspiration behind 'The Light House': the family's nostalgia for traditional 'havelis' with their communal courtyards ('chows'), projecting balconies ('jharokhas'), and lattice screens ('jaalis').](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3213d564-9ae6-403e-9c53-6d50249d4587) - ![A quote from the INDE Awards about our founder's ethos and ethics, recognizing her as a force for great design, for women, and for sustainable living.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/60e30ac8-790d-45ac-8a40-e0a330661f71) - ![A quote from Livingetc magazine: "SJK Architects isn’t just about design; it’s a thought-forward journey of empowered women."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6a2ca51c-82f6-4e80-a7df-3a74b07c946c) - [Video: A tribute by Architecture+Design magazine to our founder as one of 'The OG Women in Design', showcasing some of her seminal work and her impact on Indian aesthetics.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6acfc836-6bb5-49a6-824a-f8540dbad1e1) - ![Discussing our work at the 'Samatva' exhibition at the Red Fort. We believe in engaging with the larger architectural community and sharing our knowledge and experiences.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0215d13b-1a78-47cb-8f4b-8ed983cbf594) - ![The 'Samatva' exhibition wall, featuring the portraits of 80 women architects from across India, celebrating their diverse and meaningful contributions to the built environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d862ccea-b6e4-45fc-8c35-d8c3046eede0) - ![Our partners in a candid moment at the office. Our practice is built on collaboration, friendship, and a shared passion for design.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f71d308-935c-45b4-a5a9-5e9d44f98410) - ![Our founder at the World Architecture Festival (WAF), where she served as a judge. We actively participate in global architectural discourse to stay inspired and share our perspective.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/668e3091-7ba5-46a3-9a8a-79222d2056b9) - ![A view from the jury panel at the World Architecture Festival. Engaging with and evaluating global projects helps us sharpen our own critical thinking and design approach.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4e6f2c46-eea5-42bc-ac14-ac540f4cc9b6) - ![The Editor's Note from The Architect's Diary on our Boat Club Apartments, highlighting the project's success in addressing climatic responsibilities and its sublime coupling of concrete and wood.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a50fc404-4084-43b3-82d6-55473734cfde) - ![Partner Roshni Kshirsagar on our approach: "We work with the seen and the unseen, relooking at conventional paradigms at every opportunity."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/38b16012-1717-4749-a11b-e806b2f8875d) - ![A quote from our founding partner, Shimul Javeri Kadri: "Beyond celebrating their inherent beauty, our work seeks to employ crafts as a tool for problem-solving." This is central to our design ethos.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/558a768e-b94b-4d28-ba6c-2693b687494a) - ![Partner Vaishali Mangalvedhekar on our creative process: "We advocate for the practice of pause, emphasizing the importance of being present, listening to one's thoughts, and fostering creativity."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9d9879ae-b445-4f50-9ad5-ba63ddef5198) - ![Featured on the cover of Commercial Design magazine. The story delves into our journey of crafting cultural narratives through architecture and leading a practice in India for over three decades.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9698c8a0-34f4-4828-984e-6acd028f9757) - ![Partner Sarika Shetty shares our aspiration: "We aspire to refine our practice through research, innovation, cultural context, and local techniques that have stood the test of time."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/df558f6d-dffe-46df-b996-c8dcedd4a2dc) - ![The cover of the March issue of Livingetc India, which featured an in-depth article on our practice and philosophy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e9e32946-3978-4bcb-92c2-79029372619b) - ![A spread from Livingetc India magazine featuring our partners and our work. The article discusses our journeys in architecture and the experience of leading an empowered, women-led practice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1cf9c04e-1d92-4103-ace6-ee8566c846a8) - ![The cover of the March issue of Livingetc India, which featured an in-depth article on our practice and philosophy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/298d760c-1e4a-4063-9380-0fd26fb438b1) - ![A quote from Livingetc magazine: "SJK Architects isn’t just about design; it’s a thought-forward journey of empowered women."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/258e6a76-bfd9-4b63-8f24-4b5a6eea9656) ## About Our Voice: Philosophy & Recognition We do not design in a vacuum. Before a single line is drawn, we spend months researching regional materials—from banana fibre weaving to black pottery—ensuring every choice serves both the structural integrity of the home and the local craft communities we partner with. For over three decades, our practice has been rooted in a single belief: a building is an organism, not just a structure. We advocate for a 'practice of pause'—the deliberate choice to listen to the site, the client, and the history of the land before imposing a design. Our work relies on a blend of climatic research and historical reference. We reinterpret traditional Indian typologies like the 'wada' (courtyard home) and 'jharokha' (projected balcony) not to replicate the past, but to create climate-responsive spaces that handle modern heat and urban density effectively. This approach has led to recognition in publications like Architectural Digest India (AD100) and international platforms like the INDE Awards. ### Our Core Beliefs - **Buildings as Orgaisms:** We design with wind flow and sun-path analysis as our primary tools, ensuring every room feels light-filled and thermally comfortable. - **Collaboration:** We view architecture as a team sport. Whether it is our female-led partner group, our in-house architects, or the masons at the quarry, we rely on collective expertise to bring concepts to life. - **Ethics of Design:** Our founder, Shimul Javeri Kadri, has built a practice that prioritizes ethics over trends. We believe in using materials that age gracefully, minimizing our concrete footprint, and building spaces where families can truly connect. Whether we are designing a private villa in the countryside or a dense apartment complex in the city, the goal remains the same: to create architecture that lets you think clearly, breathe deeply, and live fully. We invite you to explore our work and understand how we can bring this philosophy to your project. ## About SJK Architects We are a team of architects, storytellers, and thinkers who believe a building is a living organism. Our practice is built on the belief that meaningful architecture arises when we pause to listen, research, and truly understand the stories of the people and places we design for. [See all of SJK Architects's services](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects) ## More from Architectural Design - Residential by SJK Architects - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential/featured) - [The Light House: A Multi-Generational Home](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential/the-light-house-a-multi-generational-home) - [Urban Living Reimagined](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential/urban-living-reimagined) - [Weekend Retreats & Homes in Nature](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential/weekend-retreats-homes-in-nature) - [Our Process: From Concept to Craft](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential/our-process-from-concept-to-craft) - [Inspirations & Explorations](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential/inspirations-explorations) ## More services by SJK Architects - [Institutional & Campus Design](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/institutional-campus-design) - [Commercial & Workspace Design](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design) - [Hospitality Design](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/hospitality-design) ## Similar work from other experts - [Our Design Philosophy and People](https://mytribe.in/ltdfstudio/architectural-design/our-philosophy-people) by LTDF · Architectural Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Mehrauli, New Delhi - [Our Design Studio: Philosophy, Process, and Recognition](https://mytribe.in/sdeg__/architectural-design/our-studio-recognition) by SDeG · Architectural Design · Takes projects across India; Visit Architecture Studio in Kasturi Nagar - [The Story Behind Our Design Process](https://mytribe.in/compartment_s4/architectural-design/our-journey-philosophy) by Compartment S4 · Architectural Design · Studios in Ahmedabad & Bengaluru; Architectural projects across India - [Our Studio and Design Ethos](https://mytribe.in/sianarchitects/facade-design-material-innovation/our-studio-recognition) by SIAN Architects · Facade Design & Material Innovation · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Derawal Nagar, Delhi - [Our Team & Design Philosophy](https://mytribe.in/anagramarchitects/architectural-design/our-team-voice) by Anagram Architects · Architectural Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studios in New Delhi and Panaji, Goa - [Our Award-Winning Architectural and Interior Projects](https://mytribe.in/gayathriandnamith.architects/architectural-design-urban-planning/award-winning-projects) by Gayathri & Namith Architects · Architectural Design & Urban Planning · Projects across India; Visit Design Studio in Koramangala ## Book To book SJK Architects, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Architectural%20Design%20-%20Residential%20by%20SJK%20Architects.) 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