—–– Northwest 35 founder, Richa Walia, has artistry in her DNA. Her parents were both active in the performing and visual arts, and they ensured that Richa and her sister enjoyed a culturally rich childhood.
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Growing up in the post-independence city of Chandigarh, in northwest India, gave Richa an appreciation of modernist architecture, and exposed her to the vibrant, emerging art and culture scene of a young city striving to establish its own identity. Summer holidays were spent travelling around the country, experiencing the incredible diversity of its crafts, cuisines, and aesthetic styles.
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Throughout her formative years, Richa was deeply immersed in classical dance and music, which she feels laid the foundation for her creative expression. Quick to recognise her artistic talent, Richa’s teachers urged her to pursue the drawing and painting that was another of her passions, and one that would endure.
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As an Architecture undergraduate, Richa would join lessons with fine art students at every opportunity, and she staged her debut exhibition in Chandigarh, to critical acclaim. A master’s at the School of Planning and Architecture took Richa to New Delhi - where she continued to paint, and to exhibit her work - and it was there that she embarked on a career in urban planning and analysis of the built environment. The evolution of Richa’s professional career necessitated a move to the USA, and then to London, where she and her family settled.
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Research has been central to all of Richa’s roles, and she has spent many years predicting trends and understanding their impact on buildings and occupants. As a Director for a global real estate corporation, sustained focus on the future of work, human experience within the built environment, and sustainability, had a profound influence on Richa’s thought process. An analytical lens now guides Richa when working on design themes. This ongoing journey of research, design and creation culminated in the design of Richa’s northwest London home, from layout to interior styling, and crafting the custom rugs which served as inspiration for Northwest 35.