Women at the Helm: Aparna Kaushik on Carving Her Own Path in Architecture

Women in India have long been scrutinised for anything and everything. Over the past few decades, the architecture industry has undergone a shift, opening doors for women. Now, even though the percentage is lower, many women have carved out leadership in male-dominated industries.

Being recognised among one of the top five architects in India brings in a certain weight of expectation, and Aparna Kaushik wears that hat quite steadily. A multidisciplinary designer, Kaushik is known for developing some of the most luxurious private estates in India.

Design director of the Aparna Kaushik Design Group, established in 2008 in Delhi, Kaushik comes with an intent to build spaces inspired by the psychology of how humans inhabit spaces. Here, she crafts multidisciplinary spaces integrating a mix of European classicism with a dash of modern planning, including architecture, interiors, furniture, lighting, product design, and landscaping. Each of her projects offers end-to-end design-to-build services. 

During an exclusive conversation with Robb Report India, Kaushik reflects on building a design practice in a patriarchal field and how she brings together creative authority and emotional intelligence for her projects as a founder. 

Robb Report India: What led you to carve your own path in architecture?

Aparna Kaushik: I have always found myself drawn to the worlds of fashion and design. I feel these industries are where proportion, detail, and craftsmanship come together to create something that stays. Earlier in my career, I realised that meaningful work emerges when one has the freedom to pursue an independent design philosophy. Over the years, that sensibility gradually shaped my interest in designing spaces and environments that are thoughtfully composed and continue to resonate with those who inhabit them.

RR: How do you think your perspective influences the way homes are conceived and experienced?  

AK: Designing a home is fundamentally about understanding life as it unfolds over time. My perspective perhaps focuses on a heightened sensitivity to how spaces are inhabited, how light moves through a home at different hours, how privacy and openness coexist, and how architecture and interior design support the rhythms of family life. I have always ensured to approach residential design as an ecosystem. When architecture is conceived with this level of attentiveness, it naturally acquires longevity because it responds not only to aesthetics, but to the lived experience of those who inhabit it.

RR: What does leadership mean to you today? Especially in the context of mentoring and creating opportunities for other women in the industry?  

AK: Leadership is about building an environment that allows talent to flourish. At Aparna Kaushik Design Group, I place great emphasis on mentorship and knowledge-sharing. When women see pathways to leadership within the profession, it helps broaden the narrative of what is possible in architecture. For me, supporting that shift is both a responsibility and a privilege.

RR: Did a woman, within or outside architecture, whose journey influenced how you built your own career?  

AK: I have always been inspired by women who lead with conviction and resilience, whether in design, business, or the arts. Their journeys act as living proof that excellence is built through discipline, perseverance, and a deep sense of intent. That said, rather than following a single model, I drew inspiration from many such examples of leadership.

RR: What does ambition look like for you now? 

AK: Ambition evolves with time. In the early years, I used to think that ambition was all about building a practice and establishing credibility. Cut to today, ambition for me is more about depth, creating designs that endure, expanding thoughtfully into global contexts, and continuously refining the language of our work. I feel it is also equally important to maintain balance and perspective. After all, architecture is a long journey, and the most fulfilling achievements are those that contribute meaningfully to both the built environment and the lives of the people who inhabit these spaces.