Sharon Jutla pursued a career in interior architecture because she was fascinated by large buildings and spaces from a young age. Both her grandfathers worked in construction. She enjoyed building with blocks and using her imagination. Her father wanted her to be a pharmacist but she decided to study interior architecture instead. Some of Jutla's notable projects include airports, sports facilities, and shopping centers in locations like Moscow, Abu Dhabi, Sweden, London, and India. She is passionate about all of her projects and sees each one as an opportunity. Jutla is working in India to bring opportunities to talented people and inspire a change in India's sporting culture by establishing training facilities and a system for athletes from

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ALM: How did you decide to pursue a career in Interior
Architecture?
SJ: It is not an easy profession to get into and you need to be
strong. I was always
fascinated by large buildings; the scale how people moved
about within these spaces, the image, function and colour.
Maybe architecture was there in my blood right from the
time I was born. Both my grandfathers were into construction
and the gene was evident inside me as a youngster. When
I was a toddler, I was good with building blocks. This was
my first lesson in architecture I guess. I enjoyed, making
and demolishing buildings more than anything else. I
loved painting, art, colour, shapes and most of all using my
imagination.
Typically the Asian parent thinks and wants their children
to do medicine. This was something my father wanted me
to pursue ... he wanted me to be a pharmacist. But I was not
content and the thought of me putting tablets and liquids
into containers over a counter for the rest of my life made
me restless. I decided to ignore my father and not to follow
the trend of my many cousins / relatives and I went off to
university to start my degree in interior architecture, and
This page:
Sharon Jutla
Top opposite page:
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Football Club
Bottom opposite page:
Shanghai Tower
SHARON
JUTLA
BLENDING WESTERN EDUCATION
WITH EASTERN AESTHETICS.
Sharon Jutla, a leading British architect of
Indian origin (Punjab). Pursued a BA in Interior
Architecture from Middlesex University followed
by a MA in Design Architecture. She has worked
with 4 of UK’s Top 10 architects in various
international locations; Abu Dhabi, UAE, Italy,
Brazil, Sweden, Russia and India over the years.
hoping to fulfil my dreams.
My ambitious approaches, dreams and love of beauty, form
and function are the fuel that keep me going and working with
nature is a source without limit. Technology is never going
to replace the architect who is first an artist....I am always
looking to the future and dreaming of what to build next.
ALM: Would you say you have a competitive streak?
SJ: Who does not have a competitive streak in today’s
ambitious age, where opportunity is all what an individual is
looking for? To me, the operative line would be “Challenging
Competition in Adversity. I understand the importance of
pushing the limits in order to attain an efficient, effective
and result-oriented product, but the method involved in the
MY AMBITIOUS APPROACHES,
DREAMS AND LOVE OF BEAUTY,
FORM AND FUNCTION ARE THE
FUEL THAT KEEP ME GOING
madness describes one’s attitude which ultimately decides
the approach. Being competitive is the basic credential any
working professional should possess in today’s demanding
set-up. But at the same time, I believe there is more to it
than just being competitive; it’s about respecting the work
environment, fitting into a situation and not dictating it that
makes competition a playground where I would decide my
pace in this mad race!
ALM: What projects have you worked on?
SJ: My career has been fruitful and rewarding, giving me the
opportunity and chance to work on projects in every sector
worldwide
Some of my portfolio consists of Moscow Terminal 3
Airport, Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi Sports City, Taby Centrum
shopping centre Sweden, PWC head office London, Noor al
Ain shopping centre Abu Dhabi, Bratislava shopping centre,
Edgbaston Cricket Stadium, Barcelona stadium, gabala
stadium and academy, Chelsea stadium and many more.
ALM: Have you been more passionate about any
particular project? If so why?
SJ: Being passionate, at work makes for a very sensitive
question. What I am doing today is largely because of my
passion and interest. A passionate worker is a sensitive
worker, which is important to a certain extent. I have never
really been overtly passionate for one project and felt less
passionate for another. Great achievement is usually born of
great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness. I have
channelled all my energies and focus to each and every project
unconditionally, and embraced every assignment with very
high degree of acceptance.
ALM: What inspired you to work in India?
SJ: Most people in India and around the world tell me, “India
is a land of opportunities”, I differ, that’s because I believe,
“India is a land of missed opportunities”. let me elaborate
further, I have come across people, who have been deprived
of the basic facilities and amenities, because of which, they
find themselves languishing in the crossroad of life, where
they are unable to lift themselves. For a few who are doing
well today - well, they have had the luxury of being with the
right people at the right time. “Someone is sitting in the shade
today, because someone planted a tree long time ago”. That’s
what I am here for. As a professional with the backing of my
company, I want to plant the right idea and opportunities. All
this only to ensure that each and everyone talented individual
is a worthy recipient of what he/she truly deserves. Make no
mistake “talent without opportunity is nothing” and I believe
with the advent of infrastructure at the grass root level, we

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GREAT ACHIEVEMENT IS USUALLY BORN
OF GREAT SACRIFICE
can bring about a refreshing and encouraging change in the
mind-set and approach of everyone who is seeking for a much
needed Philip in his/her career.
ALM: How does every design of yours narrate a story?
SJ: My work in India is based on a “Concept and Story”
model, where I include the historical and geographical
meaning of that location into our designs. I believe, it’s very
important to add significance to each of our establishments.
For example in
RAIPUR CHHATTISGARH HOCKEY
ACADEMY
the concept evolution
The Site is located in the area of Raipur,
which sometimes is referred as “rice
bowl of India”, where hundreds of
varieties of rice are grown.
The inspiration for site morphology
derives from a simple rice grain stem
seen under microscope. Central cell or
circle embrace two main elements of
the master plan - field hockey stadium
and athletics track. The circle itself
is an ancient and universal symbol of
unity, wholeness and infinity. The main
procession route crosses the circle, going
past the main plaza and finally meets
housing cluster of the master plan.
On either ends of the main route are
landmark structures to provide a vital
visual connection and to create points
of interest.
LOTUS TOWER
(52 story residential tower)
Mumbai
The concept and name has been derived
from the national flower of India,
the lotus. Symbolizing spirituality,
fullfillness, wealth, knowledge
and illumination. I have taken the
overlapping pattern of the Lotus flower
petals as inspiration to create a unique
and beautiful facade. The structure
is a fluid, sinuous and elegant form,
reaching up to the sky. The tower
thus emerges organically from its
complex site condition to become a
LANDMARK in the regional skyline.
The petals are made of linear mesh that creates a beautiful
texture whilst reflecting the sunlight. These screens also serve
the dual purpose of providing shading to terraces, balconies
and glazed areas behind.
KALWA SPORTS ACADEMY
Mumbai
The concept for the Kalwa Sports Academy master plan has
derived from a historical fact about the City of Mumbai.
It is known that Mumbai was formed over time from seven
islands. In the proposed master plan different sporting
disciplines are clustered into seven groups which represent
the Mumbai islands. Each Island reflecting its rich culture and
bright colours of India in its architectural forms as well as
landscapes.
ALM: I understand that you are eager to bring about a
change in the sporting culture of India, how do you intend
to do this?
SJ: Well, I have a few ideas in place, I have a great deal of
intent, I am not short of inspiration at the moment and it’s
only about implementation. India is rich in heritage, culture
and diversity. At the same time, it is rich in talent. Cricket
has touched an unprecedented high in the nation and I see
no reason why, other sporting disciplines cannot create the
same hype and hysteria. The 2008 Beijing Olympics were an
indication of India’s growing stature in the world of sports.
Why is China today a force at the Olympics, because of their
structure and the system they have in place for an individual,
from his/hers very early age. It’s a pyramid like structure
where at the base they are very strong with their facilities and
training, and as the progress to the next levels they peak at the
top when it matters the most. I feel, there is a system error in
the very early stage of an individual’s progress in India. I am
here to change that and give them the best of all sides.
ALM: Do you have a dream design you could share with us?
SJ: Well, every design is a dream to start off with. Once
it’s turned into reality I tell myself, here turns another dream
into reality :). There is no such high and fulfilment in the
completion of a project much to the satisfaction of everyone.
At the moment, all I can say is dreams unlimited.
ALM: You have said, “The soul is not where it lives, but
where it loves”. Where does this leave you and how does
this translate into your vision for the future?
SJ: I am a British Indian who always wanted to come back
to India and contribute in its development in my own way.
Everything about India gives me a sense of pride. I am just
another working individual who is eager to make a better
tomorrow for every Indian.
Success and Happiness is what people look to achieve in their
life. To me it is this way, “Success is getting what you want
and Happiness is wanting what you get”. At the moment, it’s
about giving my best in my field, and I would like to end by
saying, “Between yesterdays regret and tomorrows hope,
I would like to look at today’s opportunity.”
EVERYTHING ABOUT INDIA GIVES ME A SENSE
OF PRIDE. I AM JUST ANOTHER WORKING
INDIVIDUAL WHO IS EAGER TO MAKE A
BETTER TOMORROW FOR EVERY INDIAN.
Opposite page:
Lotus Tower, Mumbai
Above:
Shanghai Tower
Below:
Under the bridge
Chelsea football club
Stamford bridge
stadium