--- title: "SJK Architects: Our Design Philosophy and Studio Approach" description: "Discover the design philosophy behind SJK Architects. We blend heritage with modern innovation to craft human-centric workspaces and sustainable architecture." canonical: https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design/our-studio-people-philosophy last_updated: 2025-09-04 --- # Our Studio Culture and Design Philosophy Tribe Verified · AD100 2024 winners with 30 years experience. By [SJK Architects](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects) · Based in Colaba, Mumbai; Projects across India · ₹4,800 per sq. ft. (estimate) Part of [Commercial & Workspace Design](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design/gallery) Architecture is more than just construction. Explore the space where we research, co-create, and redefine how design shapes our daily lives. ## Photos and videos - ![Our office is a space for co-creation. We follow a hybrid model with no designated desks, encouraging a shared sense of ownership. The long central table serves as a hub for team discussions, material exploration, and collaborative work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/36d7ee0d-2e64-437f-b68c-f1dc0e43e2f6) - ![We are proud to be featured in Commercial Design magazine for our work in crafting cultural narratives through architecture. Our leadership team, comprised of four women partners, is dedicated to refining our practice through research, innovation, and cultural context.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9698c8a0-34f4-4828-984e-6acd028f9757) - ![We are honored to be included in the prestigious Architectural Digest AD100 list for 2024. This group photo celebrates our entire team, the talented individuals who collectively contribute to our success and our thought-forward design journey.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/50141abc-5b6c-4067-981a-f56cfb57e360) - ![Our office is designed to connect with its surroundings. The dining area opens onto a balcony overlooking the trees, providing a space for our team to pause, connect, and draw inspiration from the natural light and energy of the city.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c472aade-3237-41a1-822b-8d6a1730a02d) - ![As recognized by the INDE Awards, SJK Architects is stronger than ever, with three female partners joining our founder to explore and showcase our practice. We are proud to be an inspiration in what is often a patriarchal environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eac4eb01-f6b7-4b36-9256-43892333b956) - ![Our Founding Partner, Shimul Javeri Kadri, explains our ethos: "Beyond celebrating their inherent beauty, our work seeks to employ crafts as a tool for problem-solving." This philosophy guides every project we undertake.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e2ab9a4a-191e-48c9-ba77-74e9aca26c0f) - ![Beauty matters. In our own office, we stripped away the excess to reveal beauty in the way natural light shifts through the day. The space transforms from the bright morning light to the warm glow of custom brass pendants in the evening.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3456b1ae-b8d9-4e62-85eb-c7a7b5e01fd5) - ![We were featured in Livingetc magazine, discussing our journeys in architecture and the experience of leading a women-led practice. The feature highlights our commitment to creating work that is both personally and professionally meaningful.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/55820694-c49f-48ff-9b20-6547c0d7d910) - ![Our studio is filled with light and inspiration. A large bookshelf displays our library of architectural books and material samples, while a hammock chair by the window offers a place for quiet thought, reflecting our belief in the importance of pause and reflection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c27c0646-601d-42c4-8825-6fbc56cd2725) - ![Details in our office reflect our design philosophy. Custom and sourced brass elements, like these pendant lights and side tables, cast a soft, diffused glow, quietly shaping how the space is experienced and adding a layer of timeless elegance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f3be4b37-17e8-41d3-bb06-b51853da1013) - ![The main collaborative table in our studio, surrounded by bookshelves and bathed in sunlight. This space is the heart of our office, where we come together to develop ideas, review projects, and share knowledge.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0182b2b9-3eea-465b-8b06-e2a43a15a2c8) - ![A testimonial from the editor of Indesign Live, recognizing our founder's ethos and ethics. This acknowledgment affirms our status as a force for great design, for women, and for sustainable living in the architectural world.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/60e30ac8-790d-45ac-8a40-e0a330661f71) - !["We work with the seen and the unseen, relooking at conventional paradigms at every opportunity." This quote from Partner Vaishali Mangalvedhekar captures our commitment to questioning norms and finding innovative solutions in our design work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3497ad8a-199f-414f-82a7-19b4c97344ac) - !["We aspire to refine our practice through research, innovation, cultural context, and local techniques that have stood the test of time." Partner Roshni Kshirsagar articulates our dedication to a deeply thoughtful and context-driven design process.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9c5ca16b-0707-486e-b9f9-3fa3c8a15613) - !["We advocate for the practice of pause, emphasizing the importance of being present, listening to one's thoughts, and fostering creativity." Partner Sarika Shetty shares a core value of our studio culture, which we believe is essential for creative work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9d9879ae-b445-4f50-9ad5-ba63ddef5198) - ![Our partners were featured in the March issue of Livingetc India, sharing their journeys and insights on leading a design practice. This coverage highlights our role as thought leaders in the industry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e9e32946-3978-4bcb-92c2-79029372619b) - ![A quote from our feature in Livingetc magazine: "SJK Architects isn’t just about design; it’s a thought-forward journey of empowered women." This perfectly encapsulates the ethos and spirit of our practice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6a2ca51c-82f6-4e80-a7df-3a74b07c946c) - ![Our founder Shimul Javeri Kadri with the renowned architect Peter Zumthor at the 'Samatva - Women in Architecture' exhibition. Engaging with global masters and participating in such events is part of our ongoing dialogue with the architectural community.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a563bfd4-7b15-4ff4-8f12-c949de7e45c9) - ![Our practice was featured in the 'Samatva' exhibition at the Red Fort, which celebrated the work of 80 women architects in India. We are honored to be recognized among such talented peers who are shaping the built environment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d862ccea-b6e4-45fc-8c35-d8c3046eede0) - ![Discussing our work at the 'Samatva' exhibition. These events provide a valuable platform to share our design philosophy and engage in meaningful conversations about the role of architecture in society.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0215d13b-1a78-47cb-8f4b-8ed983cbf594) - ![A candid moment with our four partners, celebrating our inclusion in the AD100 list. This image captures the collaborative spirit and shared vision that drives our practice forward.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f71d308-935c-45b4-a5a9-5e9d44f98410) - ![Our founder at the World Architecture Festival, where she shared her thoughts on inspiring global projects. We are active participants in the international design discourse, constantly learning and contributing to the field.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/668e3091-7ba5-46a3-9a8a-79222d2056b9) - ![Featured in The Architect's Diary, this image highlights the partnership between Shimul Javeri Kadri and Sarika Shetty. Our practice is built on such meaningful collaborations, which are the foundation of our creative success.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ec07d2d9-1b26-4638-aa1f-90aae887f750) ## About Our Studio: People & Philosophy Our office in Colaba acts as a living prototype of our hybrid design philosophy. We stripped back the interiors to focus on shifting daylight patterns, using brass pendants sourced from Chor Bazaar to ground the space in history. It is the exact kind of intentional, light-filled environment we create for our clients, inviting you to think clearly and collaborate freely. ### A Laboratory for Living Architecture We believe a building must make friends with its neighbours and invite conversation. Our own studio is the first project where we test this ethos. By removing unnecessary layers, we allow natural light to become the primary material, shifting through the day to change the energy of the space. This is not about aesthetics alone; it is about performance. When the light hits the terrazzo floor at a certain angle, it tells us how to orient a window in a client's home. When we gather at our central table, we are practicing the same collaborative workspace solutions we propose for our corporate projects. ### Designing with Purpose Architecture is a tool for problem-solving. We bring a research-driven approach to every commission, whether it is a textile factory or a luxury retail flagship. Our process involves digging into heritage—Hampi, banana fibres, black pottery—and blending it with contemporary climate-responsive techniques. We do not work in isolation; our partners and team members are deeply involved in every decision, from selecting the right quarry for the stone to refining the final texture on a wall. ### Recognition and Responsibility Our journey over the past 30 years, from a small wooden setup to our current practice, has been about refining our craft. Being recognised by the AD100 list and receiving international honours like the INDE Awards validates our direction, but our real measure of success remains the comfort and joy of the people who inhabit our spaces. We are a women-led practice committed to sustainable living, questioning conventional paradigms, and ensuring that every project we undertake is a meaningful chapter in the stories our clients live. ## About SJK Architects Led by Shimul Javeri Kadri and our team of partners, we see architecture as a deeply human endeavour. We do not just build structures; we craft stories where traditional Indian wisdom meets contemporary life, creating spaces that feel as good as they function. [See all of SJK Architects's services](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects) ## More from Commercial & Workspace Design by SJK Architects - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design/featured) - [Creative & Media Workspaces](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design/creative-media-workspaces) - [Industrial & Automotive Design](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design/industrial-automotive-design) - [Modern Corporate Environments](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design/modern-corporate-environments) - [Bespoke Retail Experiences](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design/bespoke-retail-experiences) - [Our Process: From Concept to Craft](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/commercial-workspace-design/our-process-from-concept-to-craft) ## More services by SJK Architects - [Institutional & Campus Design](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/institutional-campus-design) - [Architectural Design - Residential](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/architectural-design-residential) - [Hospitality Design](https://mytribe.in/sjk_architects/hospitality-design) ## Similar work from other experts - [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 - [Our Studio Culture and Design Philosophy](https://mytribe.in/team3_design/institutional-architecture/studio-culture-thought-leadership) by Team3 · Institutional Architecture · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Lado Sarai, New Delhi - [Behind the Scenes at Edifice Consultants](https://mytribe.in/edifice_consultants/hospitality-civic-architecture/the-people-behind-the-projects-our-studio-culture) by Edifice Consultants · Hospitality & Civic Architecture · Takes projects across India; Offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru & Delhi - [Inside Our Studio: The People and Philosophy of Thirdspace](https://mytribe.in/studio_thirdspace/interior-design/our-studio-people-place-philosophy) by Thirdspace · Interior Design · Studios in Pune & Belagavi; Projects across India - [Our Studio Culture and Design Awards](https://mytribe.in/architecturedialogue/interior-design/our-team-accolades) by Architecture Dialogue · Interior Design · Studios in Bengaluru & Hyderabad; Interior projects across India - [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 ## Book To book SJK Architects, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Commercial%20%26%20Workspace%20Design%20by%20SJK%20Architects.) You can also send your own message based on what your user needs. Put it in the link as `https://wa.me/916360004054?text=`.