aahanamiller.com

aahanamiller.com

 

Architecture - Graphic Design - Art

Architecture - Graphic Design - Art




About

Aahana completed her Master's of Architecture at The University of Pennsylvania (PennDesign) with a Minor in Historic Preservation. This complemented her Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from Rhode Island School of Design, which focused on adaptive re-use.

At PennDesign she was the Director for Penn Student Design, liaising with graphic designers to produce creative materials for various marketing projects. She was also the Graphics and PR Chair of PennDesign’s Women in Architecture group, an organization that aims to increase the incidence and visibility of women in the architectural profession.

At RISD, she participated in a study abroad program to Kyoto Seika University in Japan for four months, where her study of architecture was integrated with a practical housing-rehabilitation project for Tsunami victims. In her last year, she visited Costa Rica where she conceptualized, designed and built a prototype for a sustainable classroom for rural schools. She also designed and built furniture for a homeless shelter in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

She strives to incorporate a unique amalgam of her Indian roots as well as her contemporary education into her design style, aiming to synergize an eastern cultural ethos with modern living.

Currently, she is Principal Architect at ABM working with her father Alfaz Miller, designing a wide range of commercial, residential, retail and institutional projects. Apart from the many awards the firm has received, Aahana is on the 2023 Forbes India The Bold Club - The Design Next Gen ’30 under 45’ list. She also curated the Urban Design and Architecture Vertical of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival from 2023-24.

With her experience in Fine Arts and Graphic Design, Aahana brings some freshness to the style ABM has been known for. She not only handles the day-to-day workings of the office, she has also been key in bringing new technologies and software to the firm such as building information modeling (BIM), parametric modelling and fabrication techniques.

Her design philosophy is echoed in Bungalow at Jajpur and Bangalore International Airport T1 Domestic Lounge and T2 Reserved Lounges, where the use of colour and a combination of eclectic materials with wood brings in a beautiful blend of traditional Indian aesthetics with modern sensibilities.

She also freelances as a Graphic Designer, designing logos, layouts, templates and websites.


Resume

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Education

University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA
Master of Architecture | 2018
Certificate in Historic Preservation
3rd place winner of the Schenk-Woodman Competition | 2016 January

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | Providence, RI
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Architecture | 2013
Graduated as an Honors Student

RISD Design Build | Winter Session in Costa Rica | 2013 January-February

Kyoto Seika University | Kyoto, Japan
Semester in Architecture | Study Abroad | 2012 Spring

Brown University | Providence, RI
Program in Introduction to Logic | 2012 Fall
Program in Introduction to Mind and Behavior | 2011 Spring

Professional Experience

ABM (Formerly ABM Architects) | Mumbai, India | Principal Architect | 2018-Present
Designing and executing small to large scale architecture and interior projects as well as managing the operations of company to ensure its financial, organizational, and commercial success through continual development and improvement.

BLT Architects | Philadephia PA | Intern Architect | 2017 May – 2017 August
Worked on the 90% Construction Documents set for a Casino in Philadelphia.

WSA, Modern Ruins | Irvington, NY | Intern Architect | 2016 June – 2016 August
Developed schematics for multiple architecture and historic preservation projects, including adaptive re-use and restoration of buildings in New York City.

ABM Architects | Mumbai, India | Interior Architect | 2014 March – 2015 July
Designed and executed designs for commercial and residential spaces, with an emphasis on sustainable design and historical preservation. Coordinated with contractors and furniture and lighting consultants for cohesive design documentation.

Somaya & Kalappa Consultants | Mumbai, India | Interior Architect | 2013 July – 2014 February
Conceptualized and prepared presentations for a range of projects from residential to university campuses.

Work Experience and Internships

Director | Penn Student Design | Philadelphia, PA | March 2017 - March 2018
Creative Operations Manager | Penn Student Design | Philadelphia, PA | March 2016 - March 2017
Liaised with designers to produce creative materials and marketing projects such as flyers, posters and design campaigns.

RISD Office of International Programs (RISD Global) | Providence, RI | Office Assistant | 2010 – 2013
Assisted with data entry, organizational administration and basic graphic design.

Julian Marshall LCC | Pawtucket, RI | Intern | 2012 January – February
Collaborated with other RISD students to design and create the entire set.

SJK Architects | Mumbai, India | Apprentice | 2011 July – August
Assisted with furniture design for hospitality projects, specifically for bedrooms and common spaces; also worked on AutoCAD drawings, layouts and renders.

ABM Architects | Mumbai, India | Intern | 2010 July
Familiarized myself with basic architectural and interior design assignments.

Accolades

Forbes India The Bold Club - The Design Next Gen’30 under 45’ list 2023

Skills

Software | AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino+Vray, Keyshot, Adobe Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver and Premier Pro, Web Design & Coding (CSS & HTML)

Art and Design skills | Experience with prototyping, 3D printing, laser cutting, model making and basic wood shop tools. Trained in mixed media: acrylic, watercolor, gouache, pencil, charcoal, pen and photography.

Organizational skills | Exceptional organizational abilities and time management skills; resourceful, detail oriented, self-disciplined, hardworking, problem solver.

Languages | Fluent in English and Hindi; familiar with Marathi, Gujarati and Japanese

Design and Volunteer Activities

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival Urban Design & Architecture Curator | Mumbai | 2023

PennDesign Women in Architecture Graphic Design and PR Chair | Philadelphia, PA | Fall 2017 - Spring 2018

PennDesign Women in Architecture Subcommittee Member | Philadelphia, PA | Fall 2016 - Spring 2017

Volunteer for Rebuilding Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA | Fall 2016

Volunteer for the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival | Mumbai, India | 2013 October – Present | 2007 – 2009

Designed and built furniture for a homeless shelter | Woonsocket, RI | 2012 September – 2013 March

Constructed a sustainable classroom prototype for rural schools | Costa Rica | 2013 January - February

Assisted with a housing rehabilitation project for Tsunami victims | Tohoku, Japan | 2012 July

South Asian Student Association Member - 2009-2013

President of the South Asian Student Association - RISD - 2010-2013

Art Camps and Exhibitions:

RISD Alumni Show 'Building Ruins' 2020

'Stratum' Displayed at India Design 2019

'GO AA’ Art Camp at Kerkar Art Complex - Goa, India - June 2010

'GO AA' at Gallery Beyond - Mumbai, India and Kerkar Art Complex - Goa, India – July 2010