Breaking Silos, Building Futures

Introduction: SUNAYANA SUBBIAH., Principal Architect and Director at Dius Design Consultants has carved a name for herself by leading large-scale industrial and commercial projects, advocating for sustainable architecture, and mentoring the next generation of women in design. A recipient of Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, industry recognition from USGKnauf and a respected voice in workplace trends and green practices, she blends technical excellence with human empathy.
In this Womantecture feature, Sunayana shares the moments that shaped her, from childhood site visits to launching her firm during a national lockdown, and why the next decade of architecture belongs to those who can bridge imagination with responsibility.

Snapshot | Sunayana Subbiah

• • Title: Principal Architect & Director
  • Firm: Dius Design Consultants, Chennai
  • Years in Practice: 20+
  • Core Strengths: Commercial Interiors, Industrial Architecture, Sustainable Design
  • Mentor: Padma Shrishree Ar. C.N. Raghavendran of CRN Architects

• Advocate and Anchor: Subbiah Sivasubramaniam (Life Partner & BussinessBusiness Partner)

• Superpower: Simplifying complexity in mega-projects
• Passion: Mentoring young women architects

You have had an extensive career spanning over two decades in architecture and interior design. What initially inspired you to pursue this field?  

I have been exposed to architecture and civil engineering from a young age, as my father was a civil engineer. Ever since I was 10, I would accompany him to construction sites. I especially enjoyed the Sunday visits, when things were relatively quiet and he would go to inspect the site. That was often when the architect would visit, and I was fascinated by how everyone prepared to present their work and align themselves for the architect’s feedback. At that age, I believed the architect was the most important person in the entire building process. Over time, I have learned how complex and collaborative the process truly is. While the journey has been challenging, I ha’ve never regretted choosing this path, it has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.

 Having worked on diverse projects how do you approach designing for different typologies?

When I started my career around 20 years ago, I observed that many firms tended to specialise in a single building typology or design approach. I knew early on that I didn’t want to be typecast into just one category. Although I began primarily with office interior design, which has remained a strong area of expertise for me over the years, I was always keen to diversify my experience. That is why I chose to work with CRN Architects for a significant part of my journey. Being mentored by Mr. Raghavendran was a transformative experience in itself, offering deep exposure to the design process and invaluable insights into architectural thinking.

You have led the design of some major projects. Which of these projects challenged you the most, and why?   

One of the most challenging projects I have worked on was the Amazon Campus, which I was involved in during my time at CRN Architects. It was a massive undertaking, essentially a combination of multiple projects brought together. I served as the single point of contact from the master planning stage to coordinating with various consultants. At one point, we were working with nearly 20+ consultants, and our team was responsible for streamlining communication between all of them. At the same time, we had to ensure that every design detail met the desired aesthetic standards. This involved extensive discussions with consultants from both India and abroad. The knowledge and experience I gained from this project were truly invaluable.

Your work emphasises contextual and sustainable design. Can you share an example where sustainability was a key driver in your project’s success?  

This is something I constantly remind myself and my team: pursuing LEED or green building certification is no longer just an optional add-on or a means to earn an extra label. Sustainable measures are now an essential part of every project, regardless of its type. As architects, the responsibility lies with us to embed sustainability into the design from day one, especially in terms of reducing the building’s overall energy consumption.

A recent example is a factory project where the client, who is a global leader in garment manufacturing, had a clear vision for a net-zero industrial campus. While various consultants were brought on board to ensure the viability of this ambitious goal, it was our role as architects to lead the process. We coordinated closely with the MEP and landscape consultants, integrating their inputs to ensure the design evolved holistically with sustainability at its core.

What motivated you to start Dius Design Consultants and what challenges did you face in building the firm, especially launching operations in the middle of the pandemic?

The thought of starting our own firm had been on our minds for a while. Both Subbiah Sivasubramaniam and I had handled large-scale projects at CRN, and at some point, we felt it was time to branch out on our own. Although we officially registered our firm in 2018, ongoing commitments to existing projects delayed our actual launch until early 2020, just before the nationwide lockdown.

That timing was quite unnerving. Just as we began operations, we had to shut down, with no clear end in sight. A month into the lockdown, uncertainty loomed large. However, an unexpected twist occurred, despite the circumstances, we started receiving a number of inquiries, particularly for industrial projects. Interestingly, we had initially begun with a hotel and an IT campus project, both of which were put on hold by March 2020.

As the lockdown progressed, we also started getting queries from government agencies looking to renovate office interiors, aiming to utilise the downtime to enhance the customer experience in the spaces they served. The project not only reinvigorated the firm’s trajectory, but also positioned it at the forefront of government interface design in Tamil Nadu. These turned out to be quite meaningful projects during the pandemic. 

Fortunately, we had set up our office fully, including video conferencing infrastructure, before the lockdown hit. While we did face challenges, especially the inability to meet clients in person and longer project timelines, we managed to navigate them effectively. Our prior experience in handling large-scale assignments gave us the confidence to build a solid portfolio during those two years of uncertainty.

“We believed that if we could survive such a low point right at the start, we can face anything,”

How has running your own practice changed your perspective on architecture compared to working in large firms?  

That is quite an interesting question. One of the biggest learnings for me, beyond architecture itself, has been everything else involved in running a firm. In fact, I often joke that I have learned more about GST in the past few years than I did about architecture over the last two decades.

Managing the firm brings its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to team management and motivation. We work with a lot of young talent and keeping them engaged is crucial. It is a fine balance, giving them enough responsibility to handle clients independently, while also mentoring them to understand and respond to client expectations effectively.

This has been a continuous challenge over the years. As we aim to grow into one of the larger firms, we are aware that the journey ahead will come with its own hurdles, but we are prepared to face them head-on.

With your experience in large commercial and industrial projects, how do you see the evolution of steel usage in contemporary architecture?  

Over the years, both client expectations and their understanding of design and construction have evolved significantly. There is a growing awareness and acceptance of new technologies, not just among designers but also clients. Today, everyone wants their building to stand out and be innovative in some way. This is where materials like steel and glass come into play, offering immense versatility. They give us the freedom to push design boundaries beyond the conventional.

In terms of construction speed, that’s another major factor every client wants their project completed and operational as quickly as possible. Steel, with its flexibility and rapid assembly capabilities, allows us to meet these expectations effectively.

In industrial projects, using steel and PEB systems has been the norm. The challenge lies in how creatively we use it and how we evolve the typology. However, in commercial buildings, the bigger challenge is the cost, especially when it comes to achieving the required stipulated by the Indian codes  fire rating . These fire safety requirements, often dictated by code or client needs, add to the project cost, and many clients struggle to see the value in these additional expenses.

That said, with advancements in technology, especially in composite structural systems, we are seeing a gradual shift. These solutions are evolving and are likely to become more widely adopted in the near future.

With rapid advancements in technology, AI-driven design, and smart materials, how do you see the future of architecture evolving in the next decade?  

Many people, especially students often ask me whether AI will take over by the time they complete their architecture studies. While AI may handle a lot, it will only know what we teach it. What your mind can conceive as a designer, your original, creative thought, AI cannot replicate unless it has already been programmed to do so.

The key lies in how we use AI as a tool. It is up to us to harness it in the most effective way. AI and smart building technologies offer tremendous advantages, especially in providing measurable and tangible insights. They allow us to pinpoint what is not working in a building’s performance early on, enabling clients to take corrective action right from the beginning. Ultimately, this supports our broader goal of designing sustainable buildings and enhancing long-term performance.

Looking ahead, what kind of projects excite you the most, and what is your long-term vision?  

At Dius Design, we are energiszed by projects that demand innovation, scale, and a deep understanding of context. Whether it i’s industrial facilities, commercial buildings, office interiors, or large-scale residential developments, we are drawn to projects that challenge conventions and push us to think beyond the obvious.

What excites us most are opportunities where design can be both imaginative and purposeful— spaces that not only meet functional needs but also create lasting experiences for the people who use them. Staying relevant is critical, and we constantly strive to evolve with emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and shifting user expectations. For us, design is never static; its i’s a dynamic response to the world around us.

Our long-term vision is to be a one-stop design partner for our clients, —offering a holistic blend of architecture, engineering, interiors, spatial strategy, and user experience design. We believe in delivering cohesive, end-to-end solutions that align with our clients’ goals while enhancing the lives of the end users. Every project is an opportunity to reimagine what’s possible, and we see ourselves continuing to grow as a future-focused studio that blends creativity with practicality, beauty with performance, and vision with execution.

“Whether you are drawing a campus or a cabin, the real foundation of design is clarity of thought and courage of conviction. Everything else is just detail.”

What advice would you give to young architects or students entering the profession today, especially in terms of mindset, learning, and career growth?

Give your best in everything you do. Enjoy the experience of working at big firms, it’ is a great learning ground. Younger professionals often have shorter attention spans, so allow yourself more time to truly absorb and grow from each experience. Keep challenging yourself and make it a habit to introduce a new thought or idea to your mind every day.