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  1. Intelligence
  2. Rising Stars

Sahiba Chadha

Nurturer of people and the planet with an impressive breadth of commitment

Partner, Cullinan Studio
Part 1: 2009 Part 2: 2013

‘She understands the urgency of nurturing people and the planet,’ says Sahiba Chadha’s referee at Cullinan’s, practice leader Carol Costello. This theme pervades her work in the practice, from early consultation with Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors and Warwick Manufacturing Group at the inception of the National Automotive Innovation Centre project (from which she took lessons for her MPhil) to her curation of an internal programme to draw out the creativity in the practice.

Chadha was obviously keen to play her part in the cooperative spirit of the studio right from the start when, as a newly qualified architect, she helped develop the pitch for the BFI Mediatheque in London into a more immersive one. 

The judges spent some time debating how significant her role of sustainability manager might be in effecting change in a practice already committed to going green, but inheriting it means that the increased uptake in cycling and more accurate and accessible carbon footprinting for the studio are notable achievements. ‘It is harder to make quick wins in that situation,’ said judge Eleanor Young.

 

Chadha helped develop a more immersive winning pitch for the BFI Mediatheque bid, London by Cullinan Studio.
Chadha helped develop a more immersive winning pitch for the BFI Mediatheque bid, London by Cullinan Studio.

I would like to see a profession and an industry that is truly representative of the people for whom it is trying to create a built environment

Chadha’s impressive breadth of commitment is shown in her outreach work of writing on sustainability and taking increasing responsibility for mentoring young people on architecture – she is currently delivering Open City’s Accelerate into University programme for 35 students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

What would you most like to improve about the industry?

I would like to see an architectural profession and a construction industry that is truly representative of the people for whom it is trying to create a built environment. I believe this would help us shift toward an ego-free design culture, producing a healthy environment and human experience.

See more members of the 2018 Rising Stars winning cohort here

RIBAJ Rising Stars is produced in association with Origin Doors & Windows

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