[100 Emerging Women Leaders] Meet the Lucknow woman redesigning the male-dominated field of architecture

Vipul B Varshneya had her first brush with architecture and design as a young child since her father was a town planner.

While it piqued her interest, pursuing a career in architecture didn't cross her mind until after she completed school. Vipul was good in creative arts and pursued science and maths in high school, and her father supported her decision to get into architecture.

The eventuality of this decision led her to start her own company, STHAPATI, in 1989. Now, she runs the Lucknow-headquartered architectural company, along with her husband, Anuj Varshneya. 

The firm has built individual dwellings to large-scale urban developments like airport terminals and public transportation infrastructure. It is also well known for its heritage conservation efforts.

Vipul was very clear from the beginning that she wanted to start her own company, and her husband and co-founder of the firm, Anuj—a structural engineer from IIT Roorkee—shared this dream.

“I had the plan chalked out, and the idea to start the business was clear from the college itself,” she says, adding, “Although our company does all kinds of projects, recently, we have been more inclined towards aviation, academic buildings, transportation systems, and more.”

The journey

The duo started their journey by building a house for a family in Lucknow’s Khurramnagar, and since then, they have designed about 1,000 structures within and outside India.

Among the many projects designed by STHAPATI, Vipul says the Bhuj resettlement and Leh airport have been very special.

In 2001, a massive earthquake in Bhuj destroyed about 90% of the buildings, including critical infrastructure such as the main hospital. The disaster also left around 600,000 people homeless, affecting nearly three million children under the age of 14 across Gujarat.

“While designing, I aimed to understand the topography, climate, and the local community to design spaces that are both disaster-resilient and future-proof. Given the extensive redevelopment required, our focus was on creating environments that felt comfortable and familiar to the residents, minimising disruption during such a fragile time,” she says. 

Over two years, the firm completed the resettlement project, constructing nearly 1,000 houses across various categories and providing homes for the affected families.

Vipul adds that even the Leh airport came with its set of challenges, especially because of the uneven topography and harsh climate of the place.

“By studying and drawing inspiration from other cold-climate airports, notably those in Russia, we were able to devise innovative methods that capitalise on the region's unique conditions,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post.

She added, “Utilising frozen water to generate geothermal energy emerged as a pivotal breakthrough. Leveraging this technology enabled us to achieve the remarkable feat of attaining carbon neutrality—an unprecedented accomplishment within India.”

STHAPATI has also undertaken the redevelopment of the National School of Drama in New Delhi. It was also involved in designing the Exhibition Centre, Delhi; Leisure Park, Noida; and the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya.

Challenges

Vipul, like many women entrepreneurs, has not had an easy journey. She recalls that initially, the firm faced turbulent times, where it operated hand to mouth and had to reduce staff. It took on small projects and interior design work to sustain the business.

“We used to take up small and private projects, along with the usual government work, to fill in the gap at times. But it all worked out because of our consistent efforts,” she adds. 

In the same vein, she addresses that being a woman in the architecture field has also been a challenge.

When she started her business with her husband, many people initially considered him the only boss. However, she notes that things fell into place over time. 

"This gender bias was present in a very subtle manner, but it eventually evaporated," she adds.

Facing her fair share of challenges, Vipul hopes other women entrepreneurs understand that hardships are inevitable but temporary.

"You need to believe in yourself. The journey won't be smooth, but you must stand firm and be prepared for roadblocks to reach your goal," she says.