Team

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BRINDA SOMAYA
Founder and Principal Architect

Brinda Somaya is an architect and urban conservationist. Upon completion of her Bachelor of Architecture from Mumbai University and her Master of Arts from Smith College in Northampton, MA, USA, she started her firm Somaya and Kalappa Consultants in 1978 in Mumbai, India. In May 2012 she was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from her alma mater, Smith College. In 2014 she was awarded the Indian Institute of Architects – Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement. In 2015 she was honoured as Distinguished Professor by the Indian Education Society’s College of Architecture (IES), Mumbai. From 2016-2021 she was the Chairperson of the Board of Governors, School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, an Institute of National Importance. In 2017 she joined the Board of the Lafargeholcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, Zurich, Switzerland and was also elected as the A.D. White Professor-at-Large by Cornell University, U.S.A.

Over four decades she has merged architecture, conservation and social equity in projects ranging from institutional campuses and rehabilitation of an earthquake-torn village to the restoration of an 18th century Cathedral, showing that progress and history need not be at odds. Her philosophy: 'The Architect's role is that of guardian – hers is the conscience of the built and un-built environment.' This belief underlines her work that spans large corporate, industrial and institutional campuses and extends to public spaces, which she has rebuilt and sometimes reinvented as pavements, parks and plazas.

She is the Founder Trustee of the HECAR Foundation which has brought out several publications on Heritage and Architecture, chaired a conference and organized a seminal exhibition on the Work of Women Architects with a focus on South Asia. In 2018, with MAPIN Publishing and the HECAR Foundation, she brought out a book 'Brinda Somaya – Works & Continuities' covering her diverse practice.

Brinda Somaya was on the IAWA board of Advisors (International Archives of Women in Architecture), U.S.A. She has delivered analytical and critical talks as well as presented papers in India and abroad on her work. She has lectured extensively in the U.S.A, U.K., Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka & India and her work has been exhibited in the USA, UK, Japan and Japan.
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NANDINI SOMAYA SAMPAT
Principal Architect

Upon completion of her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Smith College, USA, Nandini Sampat qualified as a solicitor from the college of Law, London. After working in India as a corporate lawyer, she decided to pursue her passion for design and change professions. She completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Interior Design from the prestigious Inchbald School of Design, London. Upon returning to Mumbai in 2007 she joined SNK Consultants. Thereafter, she completed her Bachelor of Architecture from Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai.

Commencing with the internal restructuring of business and management Nandini introduced strategy and technological and systems to the firm. Simultaneously she began heading the architectural interior design team while gaining experience in other areas of design.

Nandini is involved in all aspects of the design, coordination and execution of projects. She continues to work closely with Brinda Somaya to ensure the continuity of the integrity and high quality of design and services offered by SNK. Her involvement includes master planning of projects ranging from institutional campuses and hotels to detailed design of museums and luxury homes. Her expertise in research and concept design contributes in the development of original and innovative solutions that had been the hallmark of SNK over the past four decades. The inclusion of local Indian arts and crafts into contemporary works is another important aspect that Nandini continues to support and encourage within the firm. Continuing of public, community and pro bono projects remains a high priority for Nandini as it was when Brinda Somaya started the practice.

Nandini represents the next generation that carries forward the work of SNK into the future. She has also been coordinating varying international collaborations of SNK with reputed foreign firms for various projects. Together with Brinda Somaya, Nandini believes that developing expertise from across the globe and integrating these standards of design in projects in India has become an important aspect of work done by SNK.

Nandini had been on several competition and academic juries and panels. She has written for various magazines and journals on architecture and design, use of public spaces and other varied topics. Nandini is the award recipient of the IGEN (Innovation Generation) 50 award in June 2013, that felicitated the top 50 next generation architects and interior designers.
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HOMEYAR GOIPORIA
Vice President

After graduating from Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture with a B.Arch., Homeyar Goiporia gained experience with well-known Mumbai based architectural practices, particularly in hospitality and commercial projects, prior to joining SNK in 1992.

Over the years Homeyar has spearheaded green field projects such as campuses, educational institutions, complex conservation, retrofitting and expansion projects and a large variety of interior works. His extensive experience in conservation and expansion projects has given him experience with the technical aspects of these jobs as they demand a deep rooted understanding of structures, building technologies and services. Besides architectural projects, he has successfully completed corporate interiors for several multinational companies which have enabled him to work with different materials.

As Vice President – Projects, Homeyar continuously utilizes his expertise of integrating architectural and interior elements seamlessly while anticipating and overcoming hurdles leading to the successful completion of projects.

Most recently he has been involved with Restoration and Upgradation of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), Kensington Club in Nashik, B. D. Petit Parsee Hospital in Mumbai, Garden House in Lonavala, Cathedral and John Connon IB School Mumbai, as well as completed the restoration of Mumbai University Library and Rajabai Clock Tower, Mumbai.