‘Criticism makes designs stronger’

Over the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to work with reputed organisations like Satish Khanna Associates, Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), and the Shiv Nadar Foundation, where she gained experience on a wide range of prestigious projects. She has over 15 years of experience in landscape design across hospitality, residential, commercial, institutional, and public sector projects. Today, she runs her landscape design consultancy based in Greater Noida, where she focuses on creating functional, sustainable, and user-centric outdoor spaces that balance aesthetics with practicality.

Meet Neha Yadav, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Apeejay Institute of Technology-School of Architecture (AIT-SAP) and a master’s in Landscape Architecture. In a candid interview, she talks about how AIT-SAP memories or lessons still guide her work, among other things.

What drew you to landscape architecture?

When I started working with reputed organisations like ATS, I realised that every site has its own character and story, and landscape design is what brings that identity to life. While working with different landscape consultants, I became fascinated by how outdoor spaces could transform the overall experience of a project. That inspired me to specialise in landscape architecture by pursuing my master’s.

How do you balance design, ecology, and people’s needs?

For me, a successful landscape balances aesthetics, ecology, and user experience. I start by understanding the site’s climate, context, and the needs of the people who will use it. Based on that, I create spaces that are functional, sustainable, and visually appealing by using appropriate materials, native planting wherever possible, and designs that are easy to maintain. My goal is to create landscapes that not only look good but also perform well over time.

Which AIT-SAP memories or lessons still guide your work?

One of my best memories from AIT-SAP is the design studio culture. We used to spend hours discussing our concepts with classmates and faculty, and every discussion would bring a new perspective. I learnt that there is never just one solution to a design problem; every critique and every conversation can make a design better.

I still follow the same approach in my professional work. I believe that the more you discuss, review, and question a design, the stronger it becomes. That habit of being open to feedback and continuously refining a project is one of the most valuable lessons I took from AIT-SAP.

What has been your most memorable project so far? Why?

In my 10-plus years of professional journey, the most memorable project has been the Ram Mandir project, which I worked on while I was with TCE for about eight to 10 months. It was a prestigious project with very high expectations and multiple reviews by senior officials. Balancing different perspectives while maintaining the design vision was challenging, but it taught me the importance of collaboration, patience, and continuous design refinement.

What advice would you give today’s architecture students?

My advice to architecture students would be to enjoy the learning process and not worry about being perfect from day one. Architecture is a field where you learn something new with every project. Be curious, visit sites, travel, sketch, observe how people use spaces, and ask questions. Don’t be afraid of criticism; studio discussions and feedback are what make your designs stronger.