Sashya Thind Fernandes, LEED AP*
Principal Designer + Founder
*Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Accredited Professional
I look forward to learning more about you! In the meanwhile, a little about me and my background….
Having grown up around strong female role models (mother and grandmother) that are both practicing Architects and Designers even today, has been an important part of this journey. I spent many years after school accompanying my mother on her job sites and studio. In hindsight, my father’s work (pilot) took us all over the world as a child (which I grumbled about at the time), allowed me to recognize and adapt to different perspectives and cultures as needed and often. This often meant a new language or way of life. With all this travel, my indian-ness is still deeply rooted in my being. Unconsciously or consciously, it has provided a foundation for my values, design thinking and aesthetic (love of natural materials). Through these early experiences and exposure, I have developed a strong intuitive sense which informs the design direction for my clients and their strong cultural backgrounds.
Working on cross-collaborative teams on large scale projects.
During my Architecture program, I interned in Dubai for a boutique, luxury residential firm. The experience highlighted the nuances of working within a different culture and climatic conditions.
Upon completing my undergraduate degree in Architecture in Mumbai, I had the opportunity to work in Mumbai for a large Architecture firm, Kapadia & Associates. The projects included large, commercial multiplexes and malls which involved collaborating with an international team of designers and multiple consultants at a time. It was an enriching experience designing cafes and other public areas within these buildings under the leadership of experienced Senior Designers and Architects.
Moving from Asia to Europe
A few years later, my husband and I, moved to England where I worked for an Urban Planner on housing projects in the Yorkshire region of England and a redevelopment in the Scottish highlands. Infill housing was a key component of our work which was designed to address the housing shortage.
On a personal level, England provided the best travel experiences, as we explored England, Wales, Scotland, and spent a considerable amount of time in London where we explored iconic historic architectural sights and museums. On long weekends, we indulged in short trips to France, Portugal, Italy and the Netherlands, all fascinating destinations for Art and Design both of contemporary and historic significance.
Launched the studio
In 2007, we were given the opportunity to move to Boston, where I joined a small boutique firm that specialized in both residential and commercial projects. The small size of the firm, allowed me to work closely with the Principal Architect and colleagues, on fun and challenging projects ranging from Hotels, Cruise ship Interiors, Custom homes, Restaurants, Gyms, Institutional spaces and Corporate fit-outs. Her design aesthetic was rooted in Experiential design and Peter Zumthor’s Atmospheres was required reading upon joining the firm. It set the baseline for the kind of approach we were encouraged to take on all our projects and I lean on this design philosophy even today!
In addition, I define this approach within my framework of life and experience as Warm Minimalism.
After gaining several years of gaining hands on experience at the firm, it provided the impetus to launch Sashya Thind (formerly named ID8 Design Studio) in 2012, which had been a life long goal. Through the diverse project types I had been exposed to in the past, I knew my interest lay in Interior Design where the intimate size of the projects allowed me to dive into the details. My educational background and early training at Architectural firms, has given me the grounding to provide solutions that often require structural changes to the layout, which can solve the underlying issues within a space.ID8 Design Studio was formed to enable that life long journey of learning, forming connections with interesting people, and experimenting with ways to design spaces that will ultimately nurture the soul.
Interior Design — a way of life
My favorite types of projects are ones that involve both renovations and furnishings to realize the full potential of a space and complete the artistic vision. My favorite part of the process is observing how our clients finally experience the spaces we design.
A long time ago, I realized this wasn’t a career, but a way of life for me! It keeps me passionate, vulnerable, emotional, practical and reminds me everyday, how I rely on those myriad of emotions to connect with people, place and purpose. We are closely knit to our environments and they can either inspire us and instil joy or not.
While our family, consisting of my 2 sons, my husband and our dog, have made Boston home for the forseeable future, I look forward to working with patrons who continue to entrust me with amazing opportunities to create spaces that bring them joy.
Sashya Thind Fernandes
Principal + Founder