SANJANA PATIL
Sanjana is a Vancouver-based Architect and Urban Designer. She is also a self-taught Photographer, Filmmaker and Digital Artist and has recently graduated from the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA) at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC Canada with her Master’s Degree. She holds a bachelor’s from K.R.V.I.A Mumbai, India. She is passionate about promoting the use of creative mediums like Photography and Film as lenses to study and share design solutions to urban issues through strategic and innovative measures. She believes that only through inclusivity and dialogue can we truly create Happy and Sustainable places.
Where are you from?
Born and raised in the City of Mumbai, India then moved to Vancouver BC Canada 2 years ago
What is your favorite dish?
Thin Crust Pizza
Three additional fun facts
One thing on my bucket list is to go visit Capri Island in Italy.
My favorite comfort food is a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich.
If I won a lottery, the first thing I’d buy would be a Full Body Massage Chair!
Advocating Inclusivity Through Design
What inspired you to study architecture?
The thing that directed me to pursue architecture was Traveling. I think I didn’t know what architecture was until I had gotten out of my bubble and visited buildings and places that were on the other side of the world. This truly helped me learn how different people lived and interacted with their environments. Besides, growing up, I always loved making things, indulging in craft, drawing, and painting.
Class Picture post Studio Review at UBC SALA. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
Name a woman architect (preferably Asian or Pacific Islander) who most influenced you as an emerging professional? Why or How did they?
The Women Architect who has influenced me the most is Anupama Kundoo. I admire her because she focuses on experimenting with locally sourced materials that have a low environmental impact and includes the neighboring communities in the entire process, right from designing to construction, which makes her designs environmentally safe and sustainable. This pushed me into advocating inclusivity and by that, I mean the people, the community, the demands, the issues, the effects and ultimately the design itself.
Wall House by Anupama Kundoo, Auroville India. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
Name a favorite project completed by a Woman Architect (preferably Asian or Pacific Islander). Why is it your favorite?
I would pick the “Wall House” designed by Anupama Kundoo, located in the township of Auroville in Southern India. The Wall House although, is modern in concept, adopts to the vernacular/local (the materials, unskilled labor and local communities.) The reason why I love this humble structure even more is because I had gotten the opportunity to experience it in-person 3 years ago. I mean, how awesome is THAT!?
Part Concept Plan for Gorai Village, Mumbai India.(Architectural Thesis Project) at KRVIA. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
An inclusive Block created using a Housing Toolkit (Final Thesis Project) at UBC SALA. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
How does your culture/ethnicity affect your studies and the way you design?
Well, India has a diverse culture, which ethically is about inter-generational living and this is something that has influenced me in the way I think and design. It’s always about understanding and including everyone.
Thesis Model at KRVIA. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
Thesis Model at KRVIA. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
What is your favorite memory in architecture school or work? Why?
My favorite memory in architecture school would be meeting my friends every day, having lunch together and working on our design projects together after school hours. Because we would learn so much from one another and each of us brought some value to the table and I think that is something I truly am grateful for; we literally grew from teenagers to young adults together.
Studio Work in progress at UBC SALA. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
Are there any organizations that helped you grow in architecture? How did they help you grow?
The biggest hand would be my Architecture school’s, Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies in Mumbai, India. Because it helped me grow in ways, I never thought I would. KRVIA truly helped me to express my creativity through design. Moreover, the additional annual workshops that ranged from a diverse set of categories such as cinematography, visual studies, reading, craft and debates helped me recognize and discover my hidden talents.
Thesis Model at KRVIA. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
If you were able to talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I would tell her I Love You for who you are, you are unique, you are worthy, and I am here for you. The world is bigger than you think it is and your worries aren't as important as you think they are, just be you. We are living in a world that benefits from our insecurities so loving yourself is the most liberating thing you can do. Don’t ever judge, just be kind and keep loving.
Early travels that sparked a curiosity about architecture. My Dad and Me at Ajanta and Ellora Caves - Aurangabad, Maharashtra India. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
What would you want to say to the next generation of aspiring Asian and Pacific Islander women architects/designers?
It’s overwhelming being in an industry that doesn’t see your demographic enough to correlate it with the occupation you love. We will face obstacles and you might not necessarily be white, wearing black, funky glasses, tall or male but that should never make you feel any less of a professional, an Architect/Designer. Never let anyone else’s opinion become your reality, you do you and let your work speak. Always speak up for yourself without being off-putting and give back to the community.
Vancouver Pride Parade 2019. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
In terms of rising concerns and problems (in the architectural profession) over the past year, what is one change that you wish would happen and it did not? This can be in an educational or work atmosphere.
Well, I feel that women in our field need flexibility, in education, in licensing, and in the first 5 to 10 years of professional work. This is something that still lacks till date. Moreover, there seems to be a huge gap in the ratio of women to men architects at the senior level in any given firm. While on the contrary, countless studies show how women are multitaskers and can more effectively create, solve problems, innovate, serve clients, and administer building projects and therefore I feel they must be hired for more senior roles. I strongly hope to see a change in both educational as well as professional atmospheres in the coming years.
Final Studio Midterm Review at UBC SALA. Image courtesy of Sanjana Patil.
