Legacy is not built in concrete and steel. It is etched into the ethos of a practice, shaped by values, and carried forward through people, projects, and purpose. The story of INI Design Studio is one of such a legacy — built over time, strengthened by its people, and guided by a timeless belief: that good design is a vehicle for meaningful transformation.
Project Name: BUILDING A LEGACY THE INI DESIGN STUDIO STORY
Studio Name: INI Design Studio
The Origins of a Philosophy
INI stands for INtegrated Ideas — a name that is both an ethos and a commitment. Founded on the belief that collaboration across disciplines results in more holistic outcomes, INI Design Studio has woven integration into every strand of its DNA. What began as a vision rooted in empathy, responsibility, and creativity has evolved into a global design practice that remains grounded in purpose.
INI’s design ethos revolves around collaboration, research, and sustainability, underpinned by the ten enduring “Design Drivers” or the “10 Matrix” — Context, Humanism, Performance, Sustainability, Beauty, Togetherness, Design Excellence, Innovation, Technology, and Questioning-Learning-Researching. These principles are not merely tools; they are part of a common language spoken across all INI studios.
Credit: INI Design Studio
From Vision to Movement: An Evolving Timeline
Founding Years
The founding of INI Design Studio traces back to the formative years of its principal, Jayesh Hariyani. Educated at CEPT University under the mentorship of design luminaries such as B.V. Doshi, Piraji Sagara, and Anant Raje, Jayesh was shaped by a foundation of architectural excellence. An exchange program at ETH Zurich exposed him to the teachings of Mario Botta, Luigi Snozzi, Santiago Calatrava, and Aldo Rossi, and an early professional stint with Hassig Architecten further deepened his international exposure.
In 1989, he established Hariyani Architects in Bhavnagar, growing a team of 25 and delivering award-winning residential work. Yet, driven by a desire to engage with more complex urban challenges, he returned to Zurich before moving to the United States to pursue a Master’s in Urban Design and Planning at Syracuse University, where he contributed to “New Urbanism” research.
INI Design Studio’s direct lineage begins in 1998, when Jayesh Hariyani — after honing his practice in India, the UAE, and Switzerland — joined the USA-based legacy firm Burt Hill. Over the next decade, Burt Hill grew rapidly, becoming an international design practice with offices across the United States and beyond. Jayesh soon became a partner and was appointed to Burt Hill’s Board of Directors, shaping global design strategies.
In 2007, Jayesh and Bindu Hariyani brought this vision to India, establishing Burt Hill’s India/South Asia practice. With Bindu as Director of Operations and mentorship from Burt Hill’s leadership—Dick Rittelmann, Pete Moriarty, and Harry Gordon—the Studio blended global expertise with local insight. A collaborative ethos took root.
Growth and Diversification
By 2010, the India/South Asia studio grew from a small team to a robust, multidisciplinary group of more than fifty professionals. Its portfolio diversified across city planning, urban design, master planning, residential, healthcare, education, hospitality, and commercial sectors.
A major transition came in 2010–2011, when Burt Hill’s international practice merged with Stantec, expanding the team’s reach and enabling larger, more complex projects, across the globe.
From 2011 to 2015, the practice expanded both in size and scope, growing to over 100 professionals and extending into newer sectors — including transportation, airports, civic and cultural projects, industrial facilities, and infrastructure planning.
Rebranding as INI Design Studio
In 2016, the studio restructured, emerging as INI Design Studio—a new name carrying forward decades of values. That year, INI acquired Sheth Techno Consulting, forming the INI Infrastructure & Engineering vertical, bolstering its engineering capabilities. The team grew to 150 members, and the INI Workshare model took shape— an agile, collaborative framework enabling partnerships with global practices such as SOM, Woods Bagot, Kling Consult, Gresham Smith, Labella-Odell, AECOM, Gensler, and others. With a growing presence in London and New Jersey, INI continued to build its reputation through award-winning, contextually sensitive, and future-ready design.
Projects such as Shiv Nadar University in Greater Noida, the Signature City in Bangalore, the Kedarnath Redevelopment Master Plan, the Aquatic Gallery at Science City, the Rajkot Smart City Master Plan, Gujarat Technological University, Belvedere Country Club in Shantigram, and Nasik Airport exemplified this trajectory.
Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida
Credit: INI Design Studio
A campus shaped by thoughtful integration of design, sustainability, and pedagogy, it creates an environment where the pursuit of knowledge is deeply embedded in space and structure. Its architecture fosters a culture of innovation and inquiry, to influence generations of learners and thinkers.
Aquatic Gallery, Science City, Ahmedabad
Credit: Vinay Panjwani, India
An immersive space that inspires curiosity and environmental consciousness, the gallery is a dynamic portal into the underwater world. Through education and engagement, it cultivates a sense of responsibility toward biodiversity in the minds of millions.
Recognition and accolades followed. INI Design Studio was honored with the “Firm of the Year” award and several national and international accolades. In 2021, Ar. Jayesh Hariyani was awarded the prestigious FAIA (Fellow of the American Institute of Architects) — the highest honour conferred by the AIA. That same year, the Visakhapatnam Beachfront Redevelopment Project earned the top global award for Best Waterfront Design from Waterfront Excellence in Washington, D.C.
Visakhapatnam Beachfront Redevelopment
Credit: INI Design Studio
This project transforms a neglected stretch of coastline into a vibrant, accessible public realm that reclaims the relationship between people and place. It becomes a space where memory, leisure, and identity converge to shape a renewed coastal experience.
In parallel with the studio’s growth, Ar. Jayesh Hariyani has played a key role in advancing sustainable design at both national and international levels. He has been serving as Chairman of the CII – Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Ahmedabad- Gujarat Chapter and as a member of the IGBC’s national executive board. He has contributed to the development of India’s green building ratings (standards) through active involvement in IGBC’s national rating committees as a Chair or Co-chair, including Green Village, Green Hill Habitat, Green Campus, Green cities, and Net Zero Energy Buildings, focused on typology-based sustainability frameworks. Internationally, he has been on the Advisory Board of the CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), providing strategic input on global green initiatives.
2022 marked INI Design Studio’s 15th anniversary — a celebration of Integrated Ideas and collaborative design thinking. The Studio continued its legacy with projects such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Campus in Hyderabad, Navratna Corporate Business Park In Ahmedabad, the Badrinath Redevelopment Master Plan, and a high-rise hospital campus in South Mumbai.
Badrinath Redevelopment Masterplan
Credit: INI Design Studio
Through sensitive planning that respects both sacred geography and modern needs, this project revitalizes a revered pilgrimage town. It carries forward a timeless spiritual narrative, while improving infrastructure and visitor experience for years to come.
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad
Credit: INI Design Studio
A thoughtfully designed research campus where design nurtures both scientific ambition and collaborative spirit. The spaces within are shaped to enable discovery, becoming part of a continuum of India’s scientific advancement.
A Global Presence
By 2024, INI had grown to a team of over 400 professionals, marking a series of new milestones. Landmark projects such as the Secretariat and Directorate Development and the Unity Cultural Mall in Shillong, the Extended Temple Precinct Area Development in Ambaji, iconic tall architecture additions to the GIFT City skyline, Ahmedabad City Square, Bengaluru Football Stadium, and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Sports Enclave in Ahmedabad, further amplified INI’s design footprint across the nation. The Studio is also collaborating with global firm BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) on the Ahmedabad GA Terminal building.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Sports Enclave
Credit: INI Design Studio
Envisioned as a world-class sports ecosystem, the SVP Sports Enclave supports India’s ambitious bid for hosting the 2036 Olympics. More than infrastructure, it is a catalyst for cultivating national sports consciousness and nurturing future champions.
INI continued to gain national and international acclaim, earning over 200 awards that recognize design excellence across diverse sectors like the Architecture MasterPrize, LOOP Awards, BLT Awards, World Architecture (WA) Awards, HUDCO Awards, MUSE Awards, Construction World & Builder (CWAB) Awards, JK Architect of the Year Awards, and many more. Its work is widely published across leading platforms including ArchDaily, Designboom, Archello, RTF, and Architizer.
A Culture of Meaningful Growth
Central to INI Design Studio’s legacy is meaningful growth—not just expansion, but a purposeful evolution guided by the Meaningful Growth Formula (MGF): Purpose × Leadership Quality × Belonging × Personal Growth. Purpose drives projects like the many educational campuses like Shiv Nadar University, Tata institute of Fundamental Research, Gujarat Technical University, and others, creating spaces where education and inquiry flourish. Leadership, rooted in mentorship, empowers teams through a culture of collaboration, trust, and continuous learning. Belonging is fostered through emotional connection and shared purpose — as in the Kedarnath and Badrinath Redevelopment Master Plans, where the team worked with cultural sensitivity, respecting sacred contexts and vernacular traditions. Personal growth ensures that all team members — regardless of background or role — are empowered to advance, contribute meaningfully, and grow into leaders. This formula has built 400+ strong family, delivering globally recognized designs with lasting impact.
Virtues in Action
INI Design Studio’s legacy is rooted in virtues that guide every decision. By putting people and planet first, the Studio prioritizes sustainability through projects like the Rajkot Smart City Masterplan and Kedarnath Redevelopment Master Plan, among others. Doing what is right meant prioritizing community and stakeholders’ voices in projects like the Development of Iconic Tourist sites in Mahabalipuram, Somnath and Kumarakom. Being better together is exemplified by collaborations, like the one with BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), SOM and many more. Staying driven to achieve fuelled the Studio’s 15-year journey to over 400 professionals, while designing with integrity and purpose ensures every project uplifts lives and society.
Rajkot Smart City Master Plan
Credit: INI Design Studio
By reimagining urban infrastructure through a people-first and green lens, the plan sets a new trajectory for sustainable and inclusive city-making. It lays the foundation for a civic environment that adapts, evolves, and serves as a reference for future urban development.
Beyond Buildings: A Broader and Living Legacy
INI’s legacy extends beyond buildings to the lives it transforms. For instance, the Aquatic Gallery at Science City educates millions on biodiversity, fostering environmental stewardship. Atal Sarovar, a part of Rajkot Smart City Masterplan, rejuvenates a neglected waterbody into a vibrant community space, proving design can drive equity, as well as sustainability. The Waste-to-Energy Campus at Jamnagar reduces CO2 emissions by 37,317 MT annually, through renewable energy and MSW landfill avoidance., addressing climate change head-on. Looking ahead, the Studio aims to pioneer net-zero projects and inclusive public spaces, ensuring its work endures for generations.
Atal Sarovar, Rajkot
Credit: Vinay Panjwani, India
Once a neglected waterbody, this rejuvenated lake now pulses with community life and ecological vitality, transforming into a space that strengthens local identity and restores balance between nature and city.
Waste-to-Energy Campus, Jamnagar
Credit: INI Design Studio
By transforming waste into renewable energy, this campus is a model of regenerative infrastructure rooted in long-term environmental responsibility. Its sustained impact on carbon reduction demonstrates how design can shape a cleaner, more conscious future.
For INI, legacy is not an outcome. It is a way of being.
