At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Roopa Roy for an exclusive interview with us. Roopa is an Entrepreneur and Founder, Principal Architect & CEO at Sthapati Kalp. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Roopa:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
If you know Ranchi, or have watched MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, you may be familiar with the MECON township — that is where my father began his career in extremely modest circumstances.
His early life, shaped by the aftermath of Partition, was marked by displacement, hardship, and extraordinary resilience. As a child, he studied under streetlights and went on to pursue civil engineering through sheer grit and determination. MECON became an important chapter in his success story.
A few years later, his move to Bengaluru felt, for our family, like stepping into a world of new possibilities. He worked tirelessly — often double shifts — to support us. My mother, too, comes from a deeply traditional and conservative background, where discipline, structure, and clarity of values were central to life.
Growing up, resources were limited, and aspirations like studying abroad or attending expensive private institutions were simply beyond reach. At the same time, there were strong societal beliefs about what was considered “appropriate” for a girl’s education and career.
While the IT industry was booming, my heart was set on Architecture — a choice that required both conviction and courage. I earned a scholarship through competitive exams and began teaching art and painting at a young age to partially support my expenses. Even during college, I actively explored small projects to understand the practical side of design.
After graduation, I had the opportunity to work with reputed firms, but I quickly realized that the financial rewards were modest, the hours were grueling, and the roles often restrictive. Very early in my career, I made what many considered a bold decision — I resigned and returned home to start my own practice.
The decision was initially met with silence and concern. Entrepreneurship was not the obvious or comfortable path. Yet, I moved forward with determination, focusing on building something of my own.
Fortuitously, I began attracting meaningful projects and wonderful clients. About six months into my journey, my father became my strongest advocate and promoter — a moment of immense pride and emotion for me. My mother, too, extended her support in her own ways.
What began as a challenging step into the unknown gradually evolved into a deeply fulfilling journey defined by resilience, learning, and growth. Looking back today, I feel immense gratitude for the path I chose and the experiences that shaped me.
‘Sthapati Kalp’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please.
Sthapati Kalp is derived from two Sanskrit roots: Sthapati and Kalpana.
Sthapati refers to a master architect — one who possesses deep knowledge of design, engineering, and traditional architectural wisdom.
Kalpana means imagination or dreams.
Together, the name represents the foundation of architectural dreams built upon knowledge, experience, and thoughtful creativity. I must credit my mother for giving the firm this meaningful and beautiful name.
What differentiates your work?
I consider versatility central to my practice. Rather than adhering to a fixed stylistic identity, I remain responsive to context, culture, client needs, and functional demands. This fluidity allows each project to evolve authentically.
What kind of problems are you solving through your work?
Our practice works across diverse sectors, including residential, commercial, corporate, institutional, industrial, and government projects. Each project presents a unique challenge, requiring solutions that balance functionality, context, regulations, aesthetics, and user experience.
We also specialise in complex refurbishment and adaptive reuse projects, which demand sensitivity, innovation, and technical precision. At its core, our work is about creating spaces that are not only efficient and compliant but also emotionally resonant and human-centric.
What challenges has life thrown at you? What keeps you going when things get tough?
Challenges are universal — though they often appear invisible from the outside.
On a personal level, navigating societal expectations — particularly around marriage — was a recurring theme. I consider myself fortunate to have had a father who believed in guidance rather than imposition.
He allowed me the freedom to explore, make mistakes, and grow, while always grounding me in the realities of life. Those lessons became invaluable anchors.
Professionally, the challenges have ranged from common industry struggles to broader social biases. Gender stereotypes, pay disparities, and misconceptions about the profession are realities many architects encounter.
Yet, alongside these difficulties, I have been equally fortunate to experience extraordinary support and respect from clients and collaborators.
Some clients have demonstrated remarkable empathy — from patiently accommodating life milestones to extending professional trust in deeply meaningful ways. Over the decades, many professional relationships have transformed into enduring bonds of mutual respect and goodwill.
Like most entrepreneurs, practical challenges such as payment cycles and client expectations remain constant. Architecture, being an intangible and deeply intellectual discipline, is often misunderstood. Part of our journey has involved educating clients about the rigour, science, regulations, and expertise that underpin good design.
When difficulties arise, I return to a simple mindset: count blessings, reset each day, and move forward with a “never give up” attitude. Equally important is celebrating life’s small joys — they provide perspective, balance, and renewed energy.
What are the most important lessons you have learned in life?
Several ideas have deeply shaped my worldview:
a) We ultimately walk our own path. While many accompany us for parts of the journey, purpose and direction must come from within.
b) Self-reliance is essential. No one is more responsible for your growth and stability than you.
c) Loving oneself is not selfish. It is foundational to resilience and wellbeing.
d) We are intrinsically connected to nature. Design, life, and human experience are inseparable from the natural world.
e) Love, in all its forms, is transformative. Whether directed toward work, people, or passions, it is a powerful source of meaning and joy.
How do you define leadership today?
Leadership is the ability to combine clarity and stability with empathy and collaboration. It involves listening, aligning diverse perspectives, and making thoughtful decisions without disrupting harmony or balance — qualities that resonate strongly with both leadership and architecture.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Resilience and perseverance stand above everything else. Beyond that, deep knowledge of one’s craft, continuous learning, and — inevitably — a measure of timing and luck play important roles.
What advice would you give students and young professionals?
Architecture is a profoundly layered discipline that demands patience, curiosity, and long-term commitment. Early years may feel chaotic or under-rewarded, yet they are critical for building judgment, skill, and confidence.
Design is not merely drawing — it is an integration of science, mathematics, psychology, regulations, culture, and creativity. The more deeply one engages with the profession, the more meaningful and rewarding it becomes.
Dedication, resilience, and a genuine love for the craft are indispensable.
What makes your journey exciting and satisfying?
Architecture offers constant intellectual stimulation. Every project, context, and client introduces new puzzles to solve. For me, design is deeply meditative — a process that blends logic and creativity.
The greatest satisfaction comes from seeing people live, work, and create memories in spaces we have designed — spaces that positively influence their emotions and experiences.
What legacy do you hope to create?
Architecture is a field where impact often matures over decades. I hope to leave behind a body of work that stands the test of time and contributes meaningfully to the profession.
Given the relatively small global representation of women in architecture, I would be deeply fulfilled if my journey and work inspire even one young architect to pursue their ambitions with confidence.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
