In Conversation with Senior Pakistani Architect Shahid Abdulla
“Architecture should not be a style; it’s actually an answer to a problem,” says Shahid Abdulla, one of Pakistan’s most respected architects.
After graduating from the University of Illinois, Chicago, he returned to Karachi in 1975 and co-founded the firm Arshad Shahid Abdulla (Pvt.) Ltd. in 1979. His influence stretches beyond architecture: he helped establish the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS), co-founded The Hunar Foundation for vocational training, and serves on the board of The Citizens Foundation (TCF), which now runs over 1,400 schools across Pakistan. Through it all, Abdulla has remained committed to human-centered, context-driven design.
Even as a child, Abdulla was drawn to construction. Alongside his older brother Arshad, he spent hours observing workers and carpenters, fascinated by how spaces were built and shaped. That early curiosity evolved into a lifelong partnership, rooted in a shared design philosophy that continues to shape their work today.
To Abdulla, architecture isn’t defined by trends or ornamentation—it is about solving real problems through thoughtful, honest design. He believes an architect’s role is to understand a client’s lifestyle, preferences, climate, and context, working with nature rather than against it. His approach avoids unnecessary luxury, choosing instead to create spaces that feel organic and purposeful. He often notes that the best results come when a project is stripped down to its essence: “The less the client has, the better the house becomes.”
His philosophy has been shaped by Sri Lankan architects Geoffrey Bawa and C. Anjalendran, known for transforming ordinary materials into extraordinary spaces. Their emphasis on balancing built structures with the surroundings is reflected in Abdulla’s own work—from the Khaadi flagship store in Lahore to private residences across Karachi. Whether restoring a heritage site or designing a cutting-edge commercial project like Dolmen Mall or Oxygen Spa, his architecture focuses on practical design that enhances everyday living.
Abdulla values the creative freedom that Pakistan affords. He sees it as a place where experimentation is welcomed, and rules are flexible. From using shipping containers as building elements to applying unconventional colors, architects here face fewer limitations. More importantly, he appreciates the culture of mentorship—where senior professionals are generous with their time, creating a collaborative environment that nurtures young talent. He believes that the complexity of Pakistan’s challenges makes architectural problem-solving even more rewarding.
That commitment to local heritage is perhaps best seen in the relocation and restoration of the 100-year-old Nusserwanjee Building. Once located in Karachi’s Kharadar neighborhood, the building was saved from demolition and reassembled stone-by-stone to serve as part of the Indus Valley School. Nearly 26,000 stones were catalogued and moved. For Abdulla, adaptive reuse isn’t about nostalgia—it is about preserving legacy while giving structures new life. Any modern additions to IVS were intentionally kept simple, so the original would speak for itself.
Abdulla has also spoken openly about a personal regret: growing up in English-medium schools where Urdu was discouraged left him feeling like a foreigner in his own country. From grammar school in Karachi to university in the US, his world remained largely English-speaking. By the time he returned home, many of his clients were equally westernised, and he found himself distant from his own language and culture. He says he feels especially disconnected from Urdu poetry, which he believes carries the soul of the culture. He embraced the local dress and traditions later in life as a way to feel more rooted.
At the heart of Abdulla’s philosophy are the values passed down by two key mentors—his brother Arshad and his uncle Abdul Khaliq Abdul Razzaq. They taught him that money is the least important thing in life. What truly matters, he says, is doing honest work, never cheating or lying, and treating people with dignity. With this approach, he believes that there is no way a person won’t succeed. This integrity forms the foundation of everything he builds, both on site and in life.
Which of Shahid Abdulla’s principles resonate with your own approach to life or work? Let us know in the comments!
This article was developed with the assistance of AI tools.
