ā?aya I DESIGN

Celebrating Women in Construction Week! I cannot be more thankful for the incredible women who bring design visions to life—turning concepts on paper into built reality. This week, I want to highlight three remarkable women I’ve had the privilege to work with, bond with, and call my friends: Julie Piszczek (Mahnich), Ebony Jones, and Navi Sandhu—trailblazers who not only excel in the construction industry but also own and run their own GC businesses. Their leadership, resilience, and dedication continue to break barriers in an industry that remains tough to enter and thrive in. At ā?aya I DESIGN , we remain committed to advocating for women in construction and ensuring they have the opportunities and recognition they deserve. Congratulations to these powerhouse women! #WomenInConstruction #BreakingBarriers #LeadingWithStrength #ConstructionLeaders #AsayaDesign #WICWeek Smita Sahoo ā?aya I DESIGN

ā?aya I DIGEST _ March 2025 Issue : https://lnkd.in/gu22iF38 March Edition of ā?aya Digest: Celebrating Women’s History Month This month, we highlight visionaries driving change through education, art, and design: Michael Daube, founder of CITTA, whose decade-long effort led to the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School in Jaisalmer, India, providing education to young girls and shaping the future GYAAN Center, a hub for global conversations on girls’ education. Hélène Guétary, a French visual artist and storyteller, who brought the Princess Rimjhim project to life, inspiring students to craft a powerful visual narrative blending imagination, culture, and empowerment. Plus, a glimpse into 3ELEVEN Luxury Living – A Vista Property in Chicago’s River North, where design seamlessly integrates work, leisure, and lifestyle. The concept embraces deep navy tones and natural boho-chic elements, creating a refined yet relaxed urban retreat. Join us in supporting CITTA’s mission—your contributions help expand education and creativity for young girls. Read more in the latest ā?aya Digest! ā?aya I DESIGN Smita Sahoo

ā?aya Digest February 2025 : https://lnkd.in/gGMDHri3 In this edition of ā?aya Digest, we’re excited to share insights from our team’s research into Fijian ancient motifs, which will play a key role in the concept design for an upcoming luxury resort. We also showcase our ongoing work on the Waldorf Marriott renovation project. We’re also sharing some of the preliminary results from our ongoing research into women’s hard hat safety and protection. This research aims to contribute to a more inclusive and effective approach to workplace safety for women in construction and related fields. Additionally, we celebrate Amy Roosa’s impactful initiative on equity in safety, spotlighting her global report and the philosophy behind her nonprofit, The Safety Rack. ā?aya I DESIGN Smita Sahoo

ā?aya I DIGEST _ January?2025 Issue : https://lnkd.in/gy2psCFX Wishing all our readers a happy and prosperous new year! In this edition, we are excited to present studies on a captivating project in Fiji. Additionally, we highlight a unique learning opportunity curated by Professor Hitesh Mehta for individuals aspiring to become luxury eco-resort designers. Lastly, we applaud the outstanding accomplishments of Dr. CC, a talented female scientist whose expertise fuses material science, art, and innovation to deliver customized solutions for her valued clients. Come along with us as we delve into the debut release of the 2025 edition of the ā?aya digest and embrace the journey of transformation that awaits! ā?aya I DESIGN Smita Sahoo

Join us in wishing Smita Sahoo, Founder, Owner, and Creative Director of ā?aya I DESIGN , a very happy birthday!

her.HARDHAT Research : ā?aya I DESIGN are very excited to be supported by University of Chicago Polsky Center at the University of Chicago Vivian Su to conduct further research / Market analysis on the innovation for the women in the fields of Construction, Architecture + Design and Real Estate. If this innovation is of value please take 2 minutes to fill the survey below. https://lnkd.in/gbZejnkN

ā?aya I DIGEST _ October?2024 Issue The latest edition of ā?aya Digest delves into our recent research and innovation, focusing on empowering women in Construction, Architecture+Design, and Real Estate. Join us on a journey through our Basalt Mountain home construction project, a mountain retreat blending nature’s harmony with modern technology. Our spotlight feature highlights the exceptional sales and marketing professional Ginna Ryan from Mauge - Chicago’s Boutique Creative Agency. Ginna, known as the head “people person” at Mauge, has been a pivotal team member since 1998. Discover the fusion of research, innovation, and design with us!? ā?aya I DESIGN Smita Sahoo Click here: https://lnkd.in/gCBbA7uW

Invigorating Innovation and Local Leadership for a Sustainable Urban Future The 19th Global Forum on Human Settlements Held at United Nations Headquarters, New York City The 19th Annual Session of the Global Forum on Human Settlements, a key conference on sustainable cities and human settlements, took place in New York on Oct 24, 2024. For almost two decades, this event has been a focal point worldwide, hosted at the UN headquarters and across five continents. This year's session was a significant observance of World Cities Day, co-organized by over 20 prominent organizations, including United Nations DESA, UNCRD, UNEP, UNDRR, UNECA, IUCN, WWF, CoR, EU, ISOCARP, SEI, IOI,ULI, CPI, DGNB, and others. It was an honor for ā?aya I DESIGN to be part of an esteemed event celebrating the success of our collaborator Hitesh Mehta FASLA FRIBA FAAK Assoc. AIA HM Design, whose projects won two prestigious awards in the Global Human Settlements Award on Planning and Design. Project 01, the Noonkotiak Resource Center in Kenya, Africa, serves as a vital hub for knowledge sharing and research within the Amboseli Ecosystem. This center not only houses essential offices but also offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Maasai life firsthand. Project 02, Reserve Rio Tenorio in Costa Rica, aims to create a unique residential community within a stunning natural setting, attracting second homebuyers and pre-retirees. This development prioritizes conservation-based principles, ensuring a sustainable and rewarding living experience. Inspired by these accolades, we are excited to channel our enthusiasm into our upcoming eco-resort project at Turtle Island, Fiji. We are dedicated to fostering a space that upholds nature while striving towards a quadruple bottom-line philosophy. Our approach integrates economic, environmental, social, and spiritual elements into every project. In addition, our team paid homage to the Maasai community by incorporating cultural elements into our outfits. Hitesh Mehta FASLA FRIBA FAAK Assoc. AIA adorned a stylized Maasai shawl, while Smita Sahoo showcased a stylish contemporary Kenyan neckpiece by Kenyan/American Accessories Fashion Designer Kendi Amani. Thank you! #GlobalHumanSettlementsAward #PlanningAndDesign #EcoResort #Conservation #CommunityDevelopment #Sustainability #ethinicfashion #revivalfashion #traditionalmeetsmodernfashion #ethicalfashion

Chicago Build Expo 2024

Excited to announce that ā?aya I DESIGN Smita Sahoo has been selected as the design partner by iconic hotelier Tracy L Prigmore for an upcoming hospitality renovation project with the Marriott International brand. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the firm, opening doors to impactful projects. Tracy, an industry icon and founder of TLTsolutions Solutions and She Has a Deal., is renowned for her contributions to inspiring and empowering women in hotel ownership and development. It's truly an honor to work alongside her, and we are eager to embark on this journey of learning and growth together. ?? #HospitalityDesign #MarriottRenovation #WomenEmpowerment #minorityownedbusiness #womenownedbusiness #smallbusiness