The story profiles architect Simran Boparai, whose Chandigarh-based Archtelier crafts neoclassical, French colonial and European-inspired homes designed as multigenerational legacies. A Pune estate on five acres exemplifies her approach: U-shaped main residence, separate pavilion, central courtyard, formal gardens and double-height volumes, all planned to serve joint families, resist trends and age with grace across generations.
The joint family system is deeply rooted in India’s social fabric. Therefore, maximising space to accommodate the needs of different generations living under one roof is a priority for architects. Most residential design firms, however, seem ill-equipped to address this concern, which is where Simran Boparai steps in.
Over the past decade, Simran Boparai and Dilsher Sandhu have expanded the reach of Simran Boparai Archtelier, their Chandigarh-based design office, creating private residences and estates across India, North America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Her clients include entrepreneurs, industrialists, business families, and political families all looking to leave behind a legacy. Her architectural language is rooted in neoclassical, French colonial, and European traditions with a focus on proportion, symmetry, and permanence.
Recently, a client wanted a home built on a five-acre property on the outskirts of Pune. The built-up area was 35,000 square feet, spread across two principal structures: a main residence planned along a U-shaped configuration drawn from European chateaux and aristocratic homes, and a separate pavilion for entertainment, wellness, and large social gatherings. One of the key design objectives was to build a home that catered to the needs of family members across generations.
Boparai created landscaped pathways and visual axes connecting the two structures while also maintaining division. She also designed a central courtyard that doubles as a primary gathering space, with two wings that can be cordoned off for formal entertaining and private family gatherings. The facade is organised around classic aesthetics. Think cornices, pilasters, and detailed stonework. Inside, the entrance hall runs along the building’s central axis, with sight lines that extend through the architecture and into the landscape. Double-height volumes ensure that natural light flows in through the day. The landscape includes formal gardens, arrival courts, expansive lawns, and recreational zones.
The project is, in terms of scale and complexity, representative of the work Boparai’s studio takes on. It is also representative of what she means when she says her philosophy is about legacy rather than trends.
Simran Boparai Archtelier offers architecture, interior design, landscape design, architectural lighting, bespoke furniture, and decor as integrated services. The practice undertakes private residences, estates, hospitality environments, and select commercial projects across India and internationally.
Beyond residential work, the studio also designs high end retail environments and exclusive hospitality destinations. Each residential project begins with an in-depth investigation into the client’s lifestyle, family structure, cultural values, and long-term aspirations. The resulting architecture is site-specific and, more importantly, deeply personal to the homeowner.
The design principles employed by the practice—axes to organise movement, symmetry to calibrate scale, and grand entrance halls to manage natural light throughout the day—carry significant architectural implications. When executed with precision, they create buildings that age gracefully because they are conceived beyond the trends of a particular moment.
Alongside professional practice, the studio contributes to architectural discourse through speaking engagements, academic affiliations, and mentorship initiatives, helping shape the next generation of designers. For the practice, the foundation has always been the long view: creating architecture that serves not only the present but future generations as well.