Architecture has long been perceived as a male-dominated profession. However, there are women who are changing the business and striving to motivate young female architects to pursue their dreams and not be scared to make their own paths in the field of architecture. Priya Daniel, the Founder and Principal Architect of Five Scale Design, is one such woman leader who began her career in an offbeat way as an urban conservationist.  This very early on instilled in her the importance of history and culture and their impact on design. Priya then chose to work on construction sites with Atkins in Dubai, where she was likely the only female architect on site. This stint provided her invaluable exposure-being exposed to the unglamorous, yet vital, aspect of design which helped form her practical grasp of the subject from the ground up. Along with impactful design, Priya has since been actively involved in what happens on-site and how spaces and buildings are developed.

Priya has worked on multiple award-winning projects with firms like Atkins, Aedas, and Surbana-Jurong where she has built a portfolio with distinct identities spanning mixed-use, industrial, infrastructure, urban design, residential, and hospitality. Some notable ones are the Kempinski Hotel & Residences on Palm Jumeirah, skyscrapers such as the Sama Tower and Conrad Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Metro as well as other iconic structures such as the Trump International Hotel, Colombo City Centre, Marina Bay Sands and Integrated Resort, and CleanTech Singapore. After gaining several years of experience internationally, she founded her own practice Five Scale Design. Being a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional), she practices with a focus on green building principles.

Priya was raised in Muscat, Oman, where she chose engineering drawing as her subject of higher learning in school following on from her passion for geometry and details. After receiving an architectural honours degree from the famed Sir JJ College of Architecture, Priya went on to specialize as an urban designer at the renowned Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL in London.

These experiences made her more tuned to a variety of cultural nuances which furthered her appreciation and understanding of the urban fabric of the cities she resided in and of the people therein.

She is also an artist, whose works have been commissioned by distinguished clients and showcased at galleries like Mercedes Benz and high-end restaurants.

Priya speaks exclusively to WE Magazine about her inspirational career trajectory and her business, which is bringing about a creative transformation in the field of architecture through its drive to convey a unique story.

Give us a brief overview of Five Scale Design.

Five Scale Design is a Singapore-based architectural and interior design firm that designs and delivers projects in Asia and beyond across scales and sectors (mixed-use, commercial, retail, residential, hotel, and urban). At FSD, we are committed to designing buildings and spaces that are timeless, environmentally conscious, culturally inspired and balanced, and uniquely representative of our clients' values and personalities.

Can you shed some light on the numerous design theories and styles that you apply in your work?

We have a solution-driven, research-based, and innovative approach to design. Much of the firm's ethosand services are reflected in the nomenclature of the FIVE SCALES; Urban - the cities we live in; Architectural - the buildings we use; Interiors - the spaces we inhabit; Human - the constant of all scales; and Emotional - the glue that connects them all. The word Scale also denotes 'balance' - creating meaningful environments that work in harmony with their setting.

We value beauty, efficiency, and logic through the honest expression of materials, clear lines, and forms that enable its users to thrive. At FSD, we believe that an artistic and empathic touch is essential to create something unique and delightful.

We focus on developing long term relationships with our clients by going above and beyond the brief in helping them realize their project vision through economical solutions and innovative thinking. This allows us to be viewed as partners and as a value add rather than just as a price or cost of doing business.

While we pride ourselves in being boutique and in our ability to provide personalized service, our clients have also greatly benefitted from our multidisciplinary approach to projects, which allows us to transfer skillsets and best practices from one project to the next, regardless of scale or purpose.

We aim to design for the long termand be part of the solution for social concerns such as urbanization, population ageing, and climate change.

As a creative person, where do you draw inspiration from?

Often in the most unexpected ways, times, and places - my trips, commuting, daily things, nature, people's stories, the status of the world, and so on. Each project's location or history also aids in creating a strong narrative and uniqueness.

What are your varied roles and responsibilities at Five Scale Design as the Founder & Principal Architect? What are some of the most difficult aspects of your current role, and how do you overcome them?

As an entrepreneur/business owner, multitasking and wearing several hats at the same time is a constant. In the beginning I had to do a lot of work on both the front and back-end part of the business. Progressively, I put together a dependable team to manage, digitalize, and automate as much of the back end and production work as possible. Today, I am able to focus on conceptualizing and developing design briefs while also being in charge of business development, building strategic partnerships, hiring and design coordination.

What steps do you take to stay on top of the many evolutions and changes that occur in the industry and the realm of technology?

We make every effort to design with the future in mind. We must be futurists since everything we create now is often meant to last and takes an average of three to five years to build. However, the future is shifting quicker than ever. Since we work across scales, I communicate extensively with people across the entire value chain- from door frame/ tile/ bathroom fittings manufacturers to glassmakers/ lighting design consultants to MEP/ structural engineers and so on. These individuals are domain experts and excellent sources of knowledge on the most recent production capabilities and technologies.

“Priya has worked on multiple award winning projects with firms like atkins, aedas, and surbana-jurong where she has built a portfolio with distinct identities spanning mixed use industrial, infrastructure, urban design, residential, and hospitality”

I also routinely attend think tanks, conferences, and award celebrations on an international level, and engage with people from many disciplines; it's a wonderful learning experience. In addition, I have a collection of bookmarked websites and applications that provide great insights, and it's a ritual for me to spend some time on these before I go to bed.

Some of the most valuable learning opportunities have come when I have been invited to serve as a guest critic on design jury panels for architecture students at schools such as the National University of Singapore.

My team has also been set up as an in-house innovation and experience lab, where we are studying new forms of culture, techniques, materials, and technology that are transforming the world. The outcomes add to our aim of creating user-centric designs that are flexible, robust, and future-proof. We span a wide range of disciplines with a team that includes architects, computational designers, fabricators, creative strategists, VR/AR professionals, and sustainability consultants.

Given the demands of your current position at Five Scale Design, how do you balance your work and personal lives?

Finding a balance is something I'm still working on every day. On the professional side, I have a reliable and efficient team, stable roster of clients, and business processes which are either automated or outsourced, These help in scheduling, prioritizing, and time management.

Because of the firm's simplified structure, I can spend less time organizing and more time designing and collaborating with our clients. We can work efficiently and successfully remotely since I have simultaneously expanded our network to include consultants and representatives at the locations of our projects.

On a personal level, running my own company has many advantages, the most important of which is the opportunity to manage my own schedule and time. This freedom enabled me to give back to the community while still pursuing my other interests, which include music, painting, and eco-fashion. It also helps that I have domestic help and a respectful child at home.

As a successful leader, what advice would you provide to young girls and women who want to be business leaders and entrepreneurs?

I've never thought of myself as a female architect, or founder, or a woman in construction. I just think of myself as someone who's passionate. Do what you love and success will follow.

Growth and comfort rarely coexist. Be bold to dive in to challenge- they all invariably appear daunting at first. Be willing to question the status quo along the way.

Practicing empathy allows you to develop better working relationships, make better predictions, and communicate clearly.

Networking is your currency; use every chance to network and build a network of mentors and individuals you can rely on for honest comments and guidance. You can only get better from here. Persevere and enjoy the journey!

Key Management, Priya Daniel, Founder & Principal Architect, Five Scale Design

Priya is a multi-award-winning architect, artist, and green building expert whose work has appeared in numerous periodicals and journals. She has 15 years of industry experience. She has previously worked for well-known companies such as Atkins, Aedas, and Surbana Jurong. Her first-hand experience on building sites honed her practical understanding from the ground up.