The author, KalavatiSomvanshi-FAIA, RA, AIA, B.Arch. Degree with first class first and e design excellence award, G.D.Arch, AAJJA ( maiden name: Kala Parab)- graduated in S Sir JJ College of Architecture in Bombay (Mumbai), India - and achieved B.Arch and G.D.Arch degrees. Kala worked with two architectural firms until 1965 in India. In a career spanning forty-seven years, Kala has worked in various countries-England, Canada, and the United States- gaining experience in architecture and interior design with a significant escapade in the United States working for forty-three years; of which she spent thirty-four years working in New York City. Kala is a Registered Architect, FAIA; as has been elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and, a life member of the Alumni Association of Sir JJ College of Architecture (AAJJA). Her extensive projects with the prominent firms in the United States are public libraries, museums, planetarium, public high schools, high-rise condominium, City-Hall, site/urban planning & office buildings (all worth $90-$214 million, and variable costs). She also self-practiced many private houses designed and were built using her practice, individually. Working through all phases of architecture practice Kala has innovated some specific suggestions to work with and usable for initially practicing architects. She worked with the following firms: PherozeKudianawala& Associates, and Gregson, Batley& King Architects, Bombay, India, for three years. Chamberlin, Powell & Bonn, Architects, London, UK., for one and a half years. Gaboury, Lussier, Sigurdson, Venables Architects, Manitoba, Canada, for one year. Setter Leach and Lindstrom, Architects & Engineers, Minneapolis, Minn., for nine years. Edward Durrell Stone Associates, New York, for six years Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, New York, NY., and Los Angeles, CA., entirely for ten years. Misra& Associates, New York, NY., for fifteen months. Ennead Architects / Polshek Partnership Architects, LLP, New York, NY., for almost fifteen years.
