Studio KIA

Company Name

Studio KIA

The roots
Ever since she’s known it, the environment at Sabeena Khanna’s home was conducive to design and creativity, owing largely to father, architect VN Shah, who served as chief architect to the states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Throughout her growing years, their conversations centred around the appreciation of the fine arts and discussing the nuances of built forms. Having been born in Chandigarh, the exposure to Le Corbusier was natural, as was an introduction to Pierre Jeanerette and Jane Drew during the Capitol project years.

The nurturing
Khanna stepped into the professional world three decades ago with a Bachelor’s (Honors) degree in Architecture from the Chandigarh College of Architecture. The recipient of the Le Corbusier gold medal as also the University gold medal in 1987 calls the years of learning at her alma mater most memorable, enjoyable and fun. “The environment was challenging, yet stimulating and inspiring. As I look back, I feel that the learnings in college infused a new breath of life and prepared me to step into the professional world as a more confident, 20-something individual. Till date, those lessons are holding me in good stead.” But inspiration also comes from everyday life, the people she meets, the places she travels to – and her husband. “My architect husband, professional partner and mentor, Rajiv Khanna, keeps my inspiration continually fuelled and alive.”

The fruits
Studio KIA was established by Rajiv Khanna, himself a graduate from the Chandigarh College of Architecture in 1981, which Sabeena joined after marriage. The multi-disciplinary firm with over three-and-a-half decades of experience in design consultancy, real estate development and project management within India and globally, has handled a variety of projects transcending scale and use – viz, master planning and urban design, retail and hospitality, recreational and amusement, institutional and educational, commercial and mixed-use planning to residential environments, which forms its current focus. “As generic as the term ’design philosophy’ may sound, it is equally specific and personal too. I believe that ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ and our works resonate this design philosophy,” says the architect. Immense thought is given to detailing and creating meaningful spaces. Understanding the roots of timelessness as a universal quality in architecture, I try and extract the essence from global learnings and relate them to local experience.”

The turning points
While each project undertaken at Studio KIA has had its share of challenges and enjoyment, with a multitude of learning experiences, some projects are highlights of the architectural studio. District headquarters for South Goa Collectorate, Margao, Goa is one such project which will always hold a place of pride for Team KIA. Spread over eight acres of prime site flanking the national highway, this building was to be the landmark and face of Goa, an international tourist destination. Team KIA envisioned the design to be a state-of-the-art Collectorate which would be rooted in its past, firmly stand in the present and be futuristic in its planning. Timber Trail Resort, Parwanoo, with which the studio made its debut, soon became the most-sought-after uphill getaway for the people of Chandigarh and Punjab, and continues to be so till date.

The destination
Sabeena and Studio KIA are lucky to be living their dream project currently. Away from the urban metropolis and its rampant construction, Studio KIA is soul searching in the serene and pristine hill locales of Kasauli hills in the lower Himalayas, to create an abode that is like none other. In this project, the studio will be its own client, and meeting self-set challenges satisfactorily will be the greatest milestone achieved. “Living by inspiration and creating meaningful architecture which the world will appreciate and talk about, is my idea of remembrance – and that’s the goal I strive for every day,” says the creative director of Studio KIA.