Inspired by her father’s yellow and black polka-dotted scooter and her beautiful black and white house, Shagufta Anurag’s tryst with design began early on. Now, the co-founder of one of the largest design practices in the Asia-Pacific region, and the brain behind Suzlon’s most sustainable campus in the world and CISCO Singapore’s most voted project by the people, Shagufta is flying high!
Armed with a degree in architecture from BMS College, Bengaluru, design was something that always fascinated her — even pushing her to dabble as a fashion designer to raise funds for charity.
“It’s all around us and even in its simplest form, has the ability to impact human lives,” says the chief design officer and co-founder of Livspace, a venture that allows homeowners across Asia to personalise their dream homes. Whether it’s for clients like McKinsey, Fox, Suzlon and CISCO or for homeless children, this doyenne of design lives to light up some smiles. The managing director and founder of Space Matrix, Shagufta has even swept up several international design awards including the Interior Design magazine’s list of 2011 Top 100 Giants — one of the only two companies from Asia to receive the accolade but there’s something else that she holds closer to her heart, “It’s a day and night children’s shelter for Billion Bricks at Andheri,” she smiles about her design that transforms an abandoned building into a day care facility for a 100 kids during the day and a sleeping station for street children at night.
The charismatic mother of two believes that a great idea, the right mindset and a strong support system can go a long way. “At times, it is difficult to choose between a sick child and a million dollar project pitch, but my children always come first,” she says, setting the record straight on her priorities. “Since I’ve an exceptional support team — my super mom at home and my husband at work, I manage to juggle both successfully,” says Shagufta, stressing on time management.
She may have her hands quite full but not so much that she can’t hold the ladle and pan, whipping up innovative fusion food. “I find cooking very therapeutic and enjoy putting together a meal for family and friends,” says Shagufta who is also a thorough adrenaline junkie and indulges in the usual river rafting, sky diving and rock climbing. That is, when she’s not being quite the speedster in her Mercedes two-seater convertible, gifted to her by the three amazing men in her life — her husband and two sons, with its number plate reflective of her birth date. “It’s all about letting passion drive your dreams,” she says.
