2022 Women in Professional Services: Nandini Sengupta, Urbahn Architects

In the last 12 months, what was your TOP career highlight? Two of my ongoing projects for MTA/NYCT subway stations in Manhattan are particularly rewarding: the $75 million Grand Central Subway Station’s mezzanine improvements and escalator replacements, for which Urbahn Architects is the designer of record, and the $102 million ADA accessibility upgrade at the 68^th St./Hunter College Station, for which Urbahn is the criteria architect. Both projects will result in significant improvements at major transportation hubs.

In the last 12 months, what ONE award were you most proud to receive? My team’s Flood Mitigation and Resiliency design for the MTA/NYC Transit’s 155^th St. station in Manhattan received the AIA New York State 2022 Excelsior Award. This was a very satisfying recognition of our work to protect one of the busiest subway stations in Harlem from future superstorms and flooding, while improving the area with attractive architectural design.

What advice would you give the next generation of women in your industry? I instill in younger architects the understanding of their role and responsibilities in the community. They are tasked with providing the public and individuals with thoughtful architecture that opens up opportunities to enjoy the physical environment and succeed in their professional and private lives through its use. Accessibility, functionality, and attractive design should be the focus of young architects of all genders.

In the last 12 months how have you helped your industry grow through professional creativity, innovation and leadership? Many of my recent design projects have focused on providing accessibility to public transportation hubs and surrounding areas. I feel that opening the urban environment to disabled citizens, parents with strollers, and other passengers with limited mobility is one of the critical responsibilities of the profession of architecture.