Over the past few years, WRA has experienced tremendous growth. After more than doubling in size, we are proud to have onboard some of the most talented people in the industry with a diverse array of skills, experiences, and perspectives that make our organization thrive.

From innovators to collaborators and trailblazers to team players, everyone uniquely contributes to our shared success. Join us as we shine a light on the incredible people behind the work and discover the stories that make our workplace truly special.

Meet Diksha Pilania.

After joining our firm in February this year, she has already surpassed our expectations and inspired us with her meaningful impact in the field of interior design and community outreach.

She is a nationally recognized and award-winning interior designer. Most recently, her master's thesis, "Upaya: Transforming Spaces, Uplifting Lives: An In-depth Exploration of Interior Design's Impact on Mental Health in Marginalized Communities," earned several awards and recognitions.

She says her vision was sparked by a particular experience teaching mathematics to underprivileged children in Anna Nagar, a small neighborhood nestled within the bustling metropolis of New Dehli, India. There, amidst the stark contrast of an impoverished community adjacent to the towering presence of the World Health Organization's headquarters, she discovered her vision.

After being stunned to find numerous disadvantaged families squeezed into 120 square-foot living spaces devoid of privacy and personal space, she felt the call to create meaningful change.

The term Upaya is Sanskrit and Pali, meaning "device, stratagem," or "means," and has a technical function in Buddhism. Her mission is to empower inhabitants to design the sets of their narratives by equipping them with the tools and resources to participate in modern society.

In a recent article, she stated, "The purpose of the project is to use participatory design processes to bring interior design services to underserved communities and make design accessible to all. The project takes a creative approach by transforming limited spaces through multifunctional furniture design and thought interventions to redefine how we perceive living spaces. With a profound belief in the power of design to uplift lives, Upaya represents more than just a project; it embodies a vision to empower the underserved."

She first jumped into action by interviewing more than 17 families, attempting to understand the psychological impact of interiors in these communities and to use design as a tool to enhance the well-being of residents. The community contains 50 homes near an Air Force base camp, and more than half the tiny buildings occupy a family of four people or more.

The result was a fully renovated space that permits more movement, privacy, and multifunctional furniture. She added color to the walls and various nooks and shelves for books, utensils, and more.

"My project is not about eradicating poverty or displacing residents from their homes," she said. "It's about embracing their reality and collaborating with them to create spaces that offer dignity, comfort, respect, and ownership."

Her hope is that this becomes a global movement and an understanding that interior design is not just a luxury for the select few but a necessary contribution to the overall well-being and upliftment of society.

To ensure her work continues, she and her brother Harshal launched an award-winning social enterprise called Van Vaasi, which offers various opportunities for volunteering and donations to support their causes.

Upaya has been recognized with two prestigious awards: the 2024 CSGS Master's Thesis Award and the AAD Outstanding Graduate Student Award. She has also been highlighted in several online publications such as the International Interior Design Association, Virginia Tech Alumni page, and CanvasRebel.

Diksha also holds two master's degrees, one in architecture with an emphasis on interior design and another in theater with a focus on set design, both from Virginia Tech.

To learn more about Diksha and her extraordinary work, visit her social organization, Van Vaasi, at https://www.vanvaasi.org or check out her personal website: https://www.dikshapilania.com.