A crowded, noisy street in Calcutta. At fifteen, I first walked into the white ornate temple next door. I experienced a profound silence within. I felt a deep connection to the space, the people around me, and myself. Finally, a connection to something much larger than myself.

That day I dreamed of designing everyday secular spaces as “outer temples” of beauty, connection and dignity to create in each inhabitant an “inner temple” of interconnectedness, belonging and wonder.

Hi there!  I’m Sarika Bajoria, founder of Contemplative Designer, and that’s where my story begins!

As a graduate student, a practicing architect in large and small firms including Skidmore Owings & Merrill and Perkins & Will and Principal of my own design practice Sarika Bajoria Unlimited in New York City, I tried to imbue my projects with qualities of “outer temples” using the tools of form, light, void, and materials. But I knew something important was missing. In reality, I was caught up in a reactive stream of anxiety, self-doubt, fear of judgment and failure. How could I listen to what design was telling me? As a fellow designer and architect I deeply understand your world and the design and mental health challenges and you navigate every day.

As a student and teacher of contemplative practices I discovered through experience that the exterior world of design and my interior world were not separate but deeply interdependent. And that transformed everything. I was excited to build an “inner space” charged with deeper self-awareness, resilience, wonder, empathy and intention. Flow, focus, creativity and productivity in my daily design practice increased but it also became almost natural to imagine and create spaces that I felt were touched with so much more life, felt senses and wholeness.

Now, through synthesizing 21 years of practicing architecture and 15 years of teaching contemplative practice, and research in the science of human flourishing, neuroaesthetics and diverse contemplative practices, I have developed practical evidence-based design tools that empower designers and leaders to authentically transform our built environment from the “inside-out”.

I present my framework and research through experiential keynotes and workshops at design firms, academic institutions, and conferences and through organizational coaching and consultancy. As Adjunct Professor at Parsons School of Design I bring my professional experience and unique contemplative design approach to the classroom.

Thank you for being here! I look forward to engaging with you at our workshops and keynotes.