Aashna Bajaj | Architecture, Spatial Design and Research

Aashna Bajaj is a multidisciplinary architectural designer and researcher based in New York, originally from Kolkata, India. Having moved to New York as a teenager, Aashna Bajaj developed a deep interest in exploring how built environments intersect with cultural visions and psychological needs. A graduate of the Pratt Institute with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Psychology, her work is driven by the philosophy that architecture should offer dignity to its users, adding the concept of "dignitas" to the traditional Vitruvian triad of firmness, commodity, and delight. Throughout her academic and professional journey, Aashna Bajaj has been involved in a wide array of projects that prioritize the human experience and wellness. Notable works in her portfolio include the Commuter Community live/work housing complex in Bedford Stuyvesant, the Canopy Shelter emergency flood intervention in Far Rockaway, and the Hovering Lightwell library extension in the Bronx. Her research-heavy approach is evident in projects like the Spice Garden, which addresses the sensory experience of food for astronauts in space, and Terra, a study on massive customization and habitat creation using robotic fabrication. Beyond traditional architecture, Aashna Bajaj possesses a robust skill set in digital media and design technology, utilizing tools such as Rhinoceros 3D, Revit, Grasshopper, and the Adobe Creative Suite. She has served as the Student Advisor to the Dean at the Pratt Institute School of Architecture, where she facilitated dialogue on issues of labor, decolonization, and student voice. Her diverse background as an equestrian and a fundraiser curator for initiatives like the Helping Hand Fundraiser further informs her creative perspective, allowing her to approach design with empathy and a multifaceted understanding of community and culture.