Husna Rahaman, Founder and Principal Designer of Fulcrum Studio, describes herself as an adventurer who uses the world to inform her insatiable spirit. Since its inception two decades ago the firm has grown into a multi award winning practice providing architectural, interior design, landscape design, and product design services.

“Architecture is an amalgam of arts and science, philosophy and structure, literature and culture.” Living alone and studying design in London, she realized that art is inseparable from life. It was an uncharted realm without a handbook with limitless possibilities. She further enhanced her skills in New York before returning to India to establish her own firm.

At the heart of Rahaman’s creative process lies an unwavering focus on experience creating functional and technology driven spaces. The intent is to craft spaces that uplift human behaviour, foster surprise and ignite curiosity – intangible moments that leave lasting impressions.

Among many distinguished projects, ‘Hira’ is a deeply personal project for Rahaman. She conceived this project as a journey of self-discovery, to strip away preconceived notions and embrace new perspectives. This project creates a nexus between the architecture and interior, the sky and earth, the vertical and horizontal axis, the trees and the bridges to them, the angular geometry between rectangular structures, the layers stacked and spun and making the finite mostly infinite. It is not merely a space, it is where Rahaman lives, works, and creates a reflection of her essence.

As industry evolves, AI (Artificial Intelligence) presents an intriguing horizon. While it accelerates processes and drives systems and innovations, it cannot replicate instinct and intuition, or the originality of human creativity. Rahaman stresses the indispensable need for human touch – mind, body and soul. While AI may assist, architecture will always need human connection to resonate deeply with people.

Rahaman envisions the future of architecture to be intertwined with humanity’s broader challenges. With buildings contributing 37% toward greenhouse gases, the industry needs intent to innovate and take vigorous action. As the unambiguous and divisive times test us, architecture must embrace the entire spectrum of challenges. While it seeks new technologies to combat climate change and urbanization, places must be conceived as inclusive spaces, of personal and intimate comfort that create belonging. Rahaman advises the next generation of architects to embrace creativity, act with purpose, and remember that cities are built not of stone, but of spirit. “Our actions today shape the legacy we leave behind.”