Bio:

Tejasi has 13+ years of experience delivering public, institutional, retail, and; mixed-use projects. A Job Captain at Petroff Partnership Architects, she leads retail projects while pursuing architectural licensure in Canada. She holds degrees in Architecture and; Building Science and has completed continuing education at MITx and TMU. A three-time University Gold Medalist, she has received several awards and scholarships. As Co-founder of SOSA Canada, she advocates for South Asian architects.

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How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

My interest in architecture began during childhood travels across India with my father, an Indian Air Force officer passionate about exploration. Experiencing historic monuments and; regional architecture sparked my curiosity about the built environment

 

What do you do?

I am a Co-founder and Director of Outreach at SOSA Canada, supporting South Asian architects and newcomers through advocacy, mentorship, and community initiatives. Also a Job Captain at Petroff Partnership Architects, I specialize in retail projects.

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What excites you in the work you do?

Creating spaces that positively impact people's lives excites me most. Architecture gives me purpose by shaping communities, and seeing ideas evolve into spaces people experience and connect with is deeply rewarding.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

Laurie Baker’s buildings in Kerala, India inspired me through his use of vernacular traditions, sustainability, and craftsmanship. His approach to modernism, rooted in context, affordability, and human needs, continues to influence my work.

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What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

Co-founding SOSA, Canada’s first not-for-profit platform representing South Asian designers, is my proudest achievement. Reaching its 5-year milestone in 2026 and creating opportunities for connection and belonging has been deeply rewarding.

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Featured Project Name: 

National Salt Satyagraha Memorial

 

Featured Project Location: 

Dandi, Gujarat, India

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2019

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Role in Featured Project: 

Assistant Architect

 

Featured Project Description:

The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial was the first professional project Tejasi worked on at SSA Architects, Mumbai. Spread across 16 acres along the Arabian Sea, the memorial commemorates Gandhi’s 1930 Salt March through an immersive landscape experience. Inspired by India’s vernacular architecture, the design integrates climate-responsive strategies, natural ventilation, sustainable systems, sculptural installations, and public art to create a meaningful civic space.

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Photography Credit:

Monika Sathe