Shimul Javeri Kadri was born and reared in Mumbai, where she was surrounded by a diverse range of cultures, which eventually served as the basis for her architectural principles. She returned to India with a strong conviction that design must be firmly anchored in the local climate, culture, and community after completing her studies at the Rachana Sansad Academy of design and receiving her master’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
In 1990, she founded SJK Architects, a Mumbai-based practice that would go on to redefine Indian modernism—balancing tradition with innovation, and aesthetics with ethics.
Architecture of Light and Porosity
Kadri is widely recognized for her climate-responsive architecture, with a strong emphasis on natural light, ventilation, and environmental sensitivity. Her designs are never about surface embellishments—they focus on how spaces breathe, how shadows fall, and how people feel.
One of her most iconic projects, the Dasavatara Hotel in Tirupati, showcases her signature use of jaalis, courtyards, and indigenous materials to create a sustainable yet spiritually resonant experience. Other acclaimed works include the Goa Institute of Management, Hindustan Unilever campus, and Marasa Sarovar Hotel.
Feminism in the Studio and in the Field
Shimul is not only an architect but also a vocal feminist and social reformer. She advocates for gender equity both within architectural practice and the built environment. Her leadership style at SJK Architects fosters a collaborative studio culture, where women designers are empowered to lead, design, and speak up.
Her advocacy extends into civic life too—she’s served on numerous urban commissions and heritage panels, pushing for sensitive city development in India’s chaotic urban sprawl.
 Awards, Influence & Global Recognition
Kadri has received awards like as the Indian Institute of Architects Award, the NDTV Design & Architecture Award, and the World Architecture Festival Award for her work, which has also been featured in prestigious magazines like Domus, Dezeen, and Architectural Digest.
Her biggest influence, though, might be found in the way she has motivated a new generation of architects to be more inclusive, locally rooted, and climate concerned.
 A Philosophy Rooted in Responsibility
For Shimul Javeri Kadri, architecture is never just about buildings—it’s about social equity, environmental justice, and cultural continuity. Whether designing a factory in a dusty town or a luxury hotel in a coastal paradise, she holds true to the belief that good architecture must respond, not impose.
Her legacy is growing not through concrete and steel, but through the values she weaves into her spaces—light, openness, and dignity.
