Founder Magazine Team
Ar. Deepali Meni, along with Ar. Kunal Meni, co-founded KDA Architects in Ahmedabad in 1998. With a rich background in architecture and interior design, Deepali Meni’s journey has been marked by a dedication to creating timeless architectural masterpieces that resonate with her clients’ unique personalities. Her career spans nearly three decades, during which she honed her skills working with renowned firms like HCP-DPM and RSP Bangalore, learning under luminaries such as Dr. Bimal Patel, Ar. Hasmukh C Patel, and Ar. Gurjit Singh Matharoo.
KDA Architects specializes in residential, corporate, and healthcare spaces, focusing on optimizing space, resources, and user experience. Their approach is client-centered, providing single-point consultancy services that ensure comprehensive satisfaction. Their commitment extends beyond functional design to creating sustainable and harmonious environments that positively impact society.
Starting KDA Architects was motivated by a vision to redefine architecture towards a greener future. Deepali Meni draws inspiration from Architect Hasmukh C. Patel and her experiences at HCP-DPM, shaping her approach to design and business. Despite challenges faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, she leverages creativity and resilience to overcome obstacles, viewing diversity as an advantage in fostering innovation.
For Deepali Meni, understanding client psychology is paramount, guiding her team to create spaces that reflect and enhance the lives of those who inhabit them. Their current project, a farmhouse promoting organic farming and sustainability, exemplifies their ethos of eco-friendly construction and energy efficiency.
In response to the global shift towards sustainable architecture, Deepali emphasizes the importance of green buildings in conserving resources and enhancing human comfort. She believes deeply in the need for architects to prioritize client needs alongside technical expertise, viewing design as a collaborative endeavor rooted in trust and understanding.
Reflecting on her journey, Deepali underscores the importance of perseverance and teamwork in achieving design excellence. Her advice to aspiring architects and designers is to prioritize relationships and collaboration, as these are foundational to successful design projects.
Under Deepali Meni’s leadership, KDA Architects has received accolades such as the Wade Asia Award and Global Business Reconnect recognition, underscoring their impact and innovation in the architectural landscape. Looking ahead, Deepali envisions KDA Architects continuing to set benchmarks in sustainable design, contributing positively to both the built environment and society at large.
