Since 2013, POD has worked relentlessly to push the boundaries of urban design in the global context. The POD team has worked in multiple roles roles for projects in India, UAE & USA.
CO-FOUNDER | URBAN DESIGNER
Sarfaraz Momin is a Mumbai based Urban Designer who co-founded StudioPOD in 2013. Sarfaraz specialises in balancing landscape design with detailed land use programme development in community master plans. Sarfaraz also specialises in streetscape design and integration of transit projects with the surrounding areas. He has been a member of the Technical Expert team to United States Trade and Development Authority (USTDA), to support development of three smart cities in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
As part of StudioPOD, Sarfaraz has led several urban design and master planning initiatives including Open Space Master Plan for Gurgaon, Industrial Master Plans, Development plans for Smart Villages in Rajasthan, Public outreach program for development of Port Lands in Mumbai, and an award-winning master plan of Masdar City Phase 2 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Sarfaraz has extensive experience of working on international projects in countries like USA, Russia, UAE, Vietnam, Hong Kong,China, and India. He has also presented worldwide at seminars, summits and workshops on topics mainly focusing on contextual city planning and urban design in Indian cities. He is also an avid cyclist and a Biryani connoisseur
CO-FOUNDER | URBAN DESIGNER
Mansi Sahu is a Co-Founder of StudioPOD, with over 12 years experience. She leads its Sustainable Urbanism practice in a diverse range of projects. Mansi’s strength lies in working collaboratively with different cultures, local communities, city governments, public agencies and stakeholders to create innovative and sustainable planning strategies for complex urban issues.
At StudioPOD, her dynamic leadership has led to the firm’s growth in multiple large scale urban projects from retrofitting/redevelopment in existing cities, mixed-use urban areas, institutional campuses, eco-sensitive new developments, and implementation of waterfront developments. Mansi was an integral member of the Technical Expert team to United States Trade and Development Authority (USTDA), to support development of three smart cities in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, with focus on Uttar Pradesh. She has successfully started the “Bridge” Initiative at StudioPOD, a programme that brings crucial planning and urban design ideas to kids at municipal and private schools.
Mansi has travelled extensively and has work experience in countries like USA, Ghana, UAE and India. She was one of the international leaders selected for Vanguard(Next City), 2018, held in New Orleans, USA and is an active member of multiple workshops, NGO’s and citizen initiatives. She has been a state-level badminton and carrom player, loves to bake, is a board game enthusiast, theatre patron and an amateur potter.
CO-FOUNDER | URBAN DESIGNER
Mahesh Waghdhare is a Co-Founder of StudioPOD, with over 16 years of architectural, urban design and city planning experience in both public and private sector. Mahesh’s focus lies in creating uniquely innovative, sustainable and dynamic urban places for people, while developing creative collaborations with individuals, local communities, organizations, and governments. His work includes a wide range of urban projects dealing with city center redevelopment, large mixed-use urban districts, transit-oriented developments, universities and institutional campuses, infrastructure and water front developments across the globe.
Mahesh has been instrumental in leading StudioPOD’s international practice in the Middle East in collaboration with CBT Architects. In Abu Dhabi, he has successfully managed and delivered large-scale master planning projects including the award-winning Masdar City Phase 2 and Phase 4 Detailed Master Plans and the Hudayriyat Island Master Plan. As a Principal at StudioPOD, he has led large-scale master plans in Mumbai, Pune, Gurgaon, and Bangalore Metropolitan regions; a futuristic and sustainable Village Development Vision Plan for the coastal town of Guhagar, Maharashtra; Shree Jagannath Temple Precinct Plan for the Heritage City of Puri, Odhissa, amongst several others.
Mahesh has been an Urban Planning Technical Expert to United States Trade and Development Authority (USTDA) to support development of the city of Ajmer, Rajasthan. Mahesh has presented n several workshops and seminars in the USA, UAE and academic institutions in India. Mahesh loves to sing, travel and try new cuisines.
DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION
Rahul Dalal is a transportation engineer withover 10 years of experience and is currently managing the design and implementation of large scale infrastructure projects at StudioPOD.
Rahul was associated with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as a transportation engineer on mass rail transit projects. He has worked extensively on the 32.5 km fully underground Metro Line 3 project and was involved with the planning and design of the alignment and stations.
Rahul has executed several transportation related projects at StudioPOD like Wadala Smart City Transport Plan, Non Farebox revenue plans for Metro Line 3 and Redevelopment of Monorail Depot Land in Mumbai.
Rahul is a transport geek and travels the world to bring the best and brightest ideas from across the world to make Indian cities more transit friendly. Rahul has played a key role in StudioPOD‘s transit oriented development projects in India and Abu Dhabi.
STUDIO LEAD | URBAN DESIGNER
He is experienced in large scale master planning, developing transit-oriented communities, waterfront developments and formulating design guidelines in diverse cultural and geographical contexts. He has a special interest in application of landscape urbanism in design. Over the years, he has worked on projects right from conception to execution on site.
He holds a Master’s degree in Urban Design and city planning from the Bartlett, London and an undergraduate degree in architecture from Manipal School of Architecture and Planning.
He has previously worked in Mumbai on architectural, interior design and public realm projects of varying types and scales.
He is also one of the co-founders of “Empathy Walks” an international organization which looks at understanding cities through the perspective of immigrants
SENIOR ASSOCIATE | URBAN DESIGNER
Satish is a Senior Associate Urban Designer in StudioPOD with an overall experience of 5 years in the profession. He is also one of the Studio Leads for StudioPOD, Goa. His interest lies in designing for resilience with nature based solutions, streetscapes, understanding the relationships between urban inhabitants and natural resources and working with the community for inclusive development of our urban areas.
He has been involved in several projects in the public realm over the period of time, from conception to execution of streetscapes and landscape projects. He has researched in the ecologically sensitive areas of Chennai to determine the impact flooding has on the urban population and how people respond to such an emergency. The outcome of which are design interventions and toolkits that could be developed with the community for a resilient and inclusive development.
Satish has a Masters in Architecture degree with a Major in Urban Design from CEPT University, Ahmedabad and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Adhiyamaan College of Engineering, Hosur.
PRINCIPAL | URBAN DESIGNER
Sachin Daga is a San Franciscio based Architect and Urban Designer and heads firms practice in the United Staes. Sachin has over10 years of experience in wide range of practice areas with a strong focus on long-range vision planning and built environment with an equitable planning approach that involves collaborating with stakeholders to create vibrant and sustainable communities.
Before Joining StudioPOD, Sachin worked at Gensler and Eaton Hall Architects where he was involved in Urban Design, Workplace and Critical Facilities practice areas where he developed a wide range of expertise in Long Range Vision Planning, Market Analysis, Community Outreach, Commercial High Rise, Technology Work Space Office Buildings and Data Centers. His work involves a range of projects for public and private sector clients including the County Governments and Large Technology Companies.
Sachin is a registered architect in the State of California and a member of the American Institute of Architects. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional with a specialization in Neighborhood Development and Building Design+Construction. He is avolunteerfor ULI with the “Urban Plan” program which trains Bay Area high school students in planning and development concepts and its impact on communities. Sachin paints in his free time with the focus on Abstracts and California Landscapes.
PRINCIPAL | ARCHITECT
Samuel Rampy is a Los Angeles based Architect with experience across a broad range of mixed-use, workspace, retail, hospitality, and industrial project types. In addition, he has collaborated with a diverse group of clients, and has gained the ability to listen to their needs and desires. He believes that a successful project requires teamwork between all stakeholders involved in the design and construction process.
Before joining StudioPOD Samuel has led design teams on mixed-use, urban infill and adaptive reuse projects throughout California. He has engaged a design process that begins with a multi-disciplinary approach, and relies on research, analysis, and community input to ensure a deep contextual understanding. This process seeks to produce results that best fit a community’s needs.
Samuel is a registered architect in the State of California, and holds a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards(NCARB)certificate. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional with a specialization in Building Design + Construction. Samuel is a member oft he Urban Land Institute, U.S. Green Building Council, and San Francisco Bay Area Planning & Urban Research Association. Samuel enjoys sailing and cooking in his free time.
ASSOCIATE - ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM
She is an Architect with over 4 years of experience in the field of architecture and urban design. She is a passionate designer with a keen eye to use design and specifically technology in design to promote innovation in the practice of urban design & architecture. She has previously worked with design studios located in New York & Mumbai where she contributed to the design of multiplemixed-use masterplans and residential developments in New York, Boston and London.
At StudioPOD she has been actively involved in a myriad of projects ranging from large-scale high-rise as well as plotted masterplans, streetscapes and public realm projects in Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur & the UAE.
In her free time, Noopur likes to tinker with different softwares related to design to streamline the existing processes, enhance the existing strengths and improve on the weaknesses that comes with designing in the realm of urban design & planning.
Noopur holds a NAAB accredited Bachelor’s degree in architecture from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA-2017.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE |
HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES
Viola is an Master of Business Administration in Human Resource at StudioPOD.
I hold a degree of Master of Business Administration in Hu man Resource. I work as an HR and Administrative Executive at StudioPOD. I take care of all the administrative and HR related work.
DIRECTOR | FINANCE
Vignesh is the CFO of StudioPOD. Vignesh specializes in the field of Finance and has established strong financial controls and robust MIS system at StudioPOD. He is responsible for the Global finances across different markets we operate.
Vignesh is responsible for guiding our business expansion into other markets around the globe. He is also responsible for managing end-to-end finance for StudioPOD. He supports the Core Leadership team of StudioPOD with various Financial metrics to aid quick decision making.
Vignesh is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a Commerce Graduate from the University of Madras. Has wide range of experience in implementing system driven processes across various finance functions.
ASSOCIATE | URBAN DESIGNER
Nivedita is an Associate Urban Designer in StudioPOD with an overall experience of 5 years in the profession. She is also one of the Studio Leads for StudioPOD, Goa.
Her interest in Urban Design roots to its strength to enhance human experiences through design of public realm, open spaces, streets and the built-form. She has always been keen on contributing towards making our cities more inclusive. At StudioPOD she is actively involved in Landscape Urbanism, Master Planning - Vision Master Plans for various cities, Residential Master Plans and various other public realm projects.
She has a Masters in Urban Design from CEPT University, Ahmedabad with an exchange semester with École Nationale Supérieure d'architecture de (ENSA) Toulouse, France. She holds a B.Arch degree from Dr. B.N. College of Architecture, Pune.
ASSOCIATE | URBAN DESIGNER
Asmita Ganar is an Associate Urban Designer with more than 5 years of experience in the field of Architecture and Urban Design. Her experience lies in large scale master planning, plotted development, formulating design guidelines and tactical urbanism. In her past 3 years with StudioPOD, she has been involved in designing and managing projects from concept to site execution.
Asmita holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Sir J J College of Architecture, Mumbai, and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning with a major in Urban Design from CEPT University, Ahmedabad.
She had previously worked in Mumbai for two years. During this Asmita was involved in designing mixed-use residential, institutional, and commercial projects of various types and scales.
