Speakers
This panel brings together diverse practitioners to reflect on their professional journeys and the evolving roles as women in architecture. Extending the central idea of the exhibition, the discussion intends to challenge the conventional perceptions about architectural practice in India by examining how women, educators, workers, conservationists, and other overlooked groups shape the built environment.
The conversation will focus on the lived experiences of practitioners: entering the profession, establishing practices, negotiating authority, building leadership, creating opportunities, and responding to changing professional cultures. Gender is an important dimension of the discussion, but not the sole lens through which the panellists are understood. The conversation seeks to recognise them as architects and practitioners while exploring moments when gender has influenced or shaped their professional experiences.
The discussion will also address professional identity, gender and bias, leadership, mentorship, collaboration, recognition, entrepreneurship, and the changing culture of architectural practice. It will also consider what has changed for women entering architecture today and what challenges continue to persist.
Ultimately, the panel asks: How have individual practitioners shaped not only architecture, but the profession itself?
In collaboration with:
Venue: Seminar Halls
Speakers
Ujjwala Khot-Palsuley
Dr. Ujjwala Khot-Palsuley is a Conservation Architect, researcher, and academician with over 24 years of experience in architectural heritage and Traditional Knowledge Systems. An alumna of SPA Delhi and Lund University, Sweden, she holds a doctorate in Southeast Asian Architectural History, focusing on Khmer and Dravidian temple architecture. She has contributed to UNESCO World Heritage Site nominations and undertaken research and projects across 16 countries. Former Principal of a premier architecture college in Pune, she founded Samrachanā – Heritage Conservation & Research Initiative. Her acclaimed book Cambodia: India Outside India and numerous international presentations reflect her significant contribution to architectural heritage research and conservation.
Gita Balakrishnan
Ar. Gita Balakrishnan is an architect, educator, and the Founder & Advisor of Ethos, an initiative established in 2002 to bridge the gap between architectural education and professional practice. An alumna of the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, she has undertaken professional training at Carnegie Mellon University, USA, and training in alternative construction methods at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Through Ethos, ACEDGE, and the Ethos Foundation, she has worked extensively to empower young architects and promote socially responsible, inclusive, sustainable, and empathetic design. Her initiatives, including Walk for Arcause, advocate for architectural social responsibility and greater awareness of the role of design in transforming lives and communities.
Akshara Verma
Ar. Akshara Verma is a Partner and Architect at ACE Group Architects, Bengaluru, with a diverse professional background spanning architecture, interiors, graphic design, and design research. An alumna of RV School of Architecture, Bengaluru, and the Berlage Center for Advanced Architecture and Urban Design, TU Delft, she has gained international experience through collaborations and practices in Colombo, Mumbai, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam. Since joining ACE Group Architects as a partner in 2017, she has worked extensively on education and institutional architecture. Her practice combines contextual design, research, and innovative approaches to learning environments, while her engagement with academia and design collaborations enriches her professional perspective.
Williams
Ar. Williams is an architect, conservation professional, and academic with expertise in heritage conservation, historic environments, and architectural education. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Master’s degree in Architectural Conservation from SPA Vijayawada. Currently an Assistant Professor at VIT Vellore and Consultant Conservation Architect with DRONAH, he has worked on significant heritage projects including Mahabalipuram, Kailasanathar Temple, Srikalahasteswara Temple, Kanipakam Temple Town, and Gingee Fort. His experience spans conservation planning, museum development, heritage documentation, digital techniques, GIS, and historic settlement studies. His academic and professional work reflects a strong interest in understanding cultural heritage through research, documentation, and context-sensitive conservation strategies. He has been an active academician, teaching across various institutions in VTU Karnataka, SPA Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh and in Tamil Nadu.
You might also like
