Studio U+A
Studio U+A is a privately held international architectural, urban design, and interior design practice founded in 1995, serving enterprise developers, hotel operators, and corporations through offices in London, New York, and Gurgaon.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Studio U+A does
Studio U+A is a multidisciplinary international design practice founded in 1995 by Vinay Kapoor and Shirley Fujikawa, operating through separate legal entities in London (Studio u+a Ltd), New York (Studio u+a LLC), and Gurgaon (Studio u+a India Pvt Ltd). The firm offers three integrated service lines — architecture, urban design/master planning, and interior design — delivered across commercial, residential, hospitality, retail, and cultural sectors for enterprise clients including real estate developers, hotel operators, and corporations.
The firm's portfolio includes large-scale, high-profile projects such as The Westin Gurgaon (310-key luxury hotel), the Four Seasons Bengaluru hotel and residences, the 53-acre Vatika City residential township, the Interglobe Enterprises corporate headquarters, the 1.5 million sq ft MARS Centre biotech campus in Toronto, the Guiyang Master Plan in China (with Cesar Pelli and Associates), and the Al Markaz City Centre in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Execution relies on an international network of collaborating consultants rather than a large in-house technical bench, with a current total headcount of 16 across three offices led by five principals.
Studio U+A generates revenue through professional service fees on a project-by-project basis, acquired through direct client engagement, referrals, and reputation in the hospitality, commercial, and residential development sectors. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The firm is privately held with no institutional investment, private equity, or venture capital backing evidenced in the source materials, and co-founders appear to retain operational control as principals.
Studio U+A firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Studio U+A
- Legal name
- Studio u+a Ltd
- Website
- https://studioua.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Studio U+A is a privately held international architectural, urban design, and interior design practice founded in 1995, serving enterprise developers, hotel operators, and corporations through offices in London, New York, and Gurgaon.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Studio U+A industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Design Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (541410), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA)
Keywords
Where Studio U+A is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Studio U+A business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Architectural Design Services: Studio U+A generates revenue through providing comprehensive architectural design services from concept to completion for large-scale urban, commercial, residential, and hospitality projects. Revenue is generated through professional service fees for master planning, architectural design, and interior design engagements.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Studio U+A product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Studio U+A is a multidisciplinary, full-service international design practice delivering architectural, urban design/master planning, and interior design services. The firm takes projects from program analysis through design development, technical coordination with consultants, construction administration, and post-occupancy evaluation. It specializes in large-scale urban, hospitality, commercial, and residential developments for enterprise clients across India, the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
Product overview
Studio U+A is a multidisciplinary, full-service international design practice offering three integrated service lines: Architecture, Urban Design/Master Planning, and Interior Design. The firm operates across commercial, residential, hospitality, retail, and cultural sectors, implementing design visions from concept to completion with offices in New York, London, and Gurgaon (Delhi). The practice specializes in large-scale urban projects, luxury hospitality, premium residential, and commercial developments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- The Westin Gurgaon achieved recognition as a landmark luxury hotel development
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Studio U+A
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Studio U+A technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Studio U+A partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Vatika GroupcoreLong-standing strategic partner for multiple projects including The Westin Gurgaon, Vatika City, One on One, and various residential township developments. Vatika Group is a major Indian real estate developer for whom Studio U+A has designed entire townships and hotel properties.
- Starwood Hotels InternationalcoreHotel operator partner for The Westin Gurgaon project. Starwood Hotels (now part of Marriott) engaged Studio U+A for the design of their luxury business hotel in Gurgaon.
- City View Bangalore Properties Pvt. Ltd.coreDeveloper client for the landmark City View development in Bengaluru including Four Seasons hotel, Four Seasons Private Residences, and City View Commercial Office Building.
- Westcourt Real Estate ConsortiummajorPartner for Al Markaz City Centre project in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi - a carbon-neutral city development.
- Lahari Technopolis Pvt. Ltd.majorDeveloper client for West One project - a 31-acre mixed-use development with group housing, commercial, office, and hospitality uses in Bengaluru.
- Trizec HahnmajorDevelopment partner for Urban Entertainment Centre master plan in Frankfurt, Germany. Studio U+A coordinated with ABB and international architects including Jean Nouvel and Christian De Portzamparc.
- International Property CorporationmajorClient for MARS Centre biotech research campus in Toronto, Canada - a 1.5 million square foot urban campus for scientists, academics, and business community.
- Homnicen GroupmajorDeveloper client for Guiyang Master Plan in China - a 250 hectare mixed-use extension of Guiyang City Centre comprising 18 million square metres.
- Cesar Pelli and AssociatesmajorCollaborating architecture firm for Guiyang Master Plan project in China. Studio U+A worked alongside this renowned international architecture firm.
- The Chatterjee GroupmajorDeveloper client for Bengal Intelligent Park IT complex in Kolkata - a 500,000 square foot multi-building development.
- Manor Hotel Pvt. Ltd.coreClient for The Manor hotel renovation in New Delhi. Studio U+A designed the conversion from a 1950s guesthouse to a deluxe hotel of understated elegance.
- Interglobe HotelscoreHotel operator partner for IBIS Styles resort in Vagator, Goa - a 142-room 4-star resort hotel opened in 2023.
- Interglobe EnterprisescoreClient for corporate headquarters renovation in Gurgaon. Studio U+A transformed existing buildings into an ESG-standard headquarters, setting the standard for sustainability in the National Capital Region.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Studio U+A competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Benoy: UK-headquartered international architecture, planning, and interior design firm with offices across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Highly comparable to Studio U+A in size, multi-disciplinary scope, and project mix across retail, hospitality, and mixed-use developments.
- BDP (Building Design Partnership): Major UK-based, employee-owned multi-disciplinary design practice working across architecture, urban design, and interior design. Comparable to Studio U+A as a similarly integrated international practice with strong urban design and master planning capabilities.
- dwp (design worldwide partnership): International design firm with Asia-headquartered operations delivering architecture, interior design, and planning across hospitality, commercial, and mixed-use. Directly comparable to Studio U+A's mix of integrated services and emerging-market project focus.
- Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA): Global leader in hospitality interior design and branding. Directly comparable to Studio U+A's luxury hospitality track record (Westin, Four Seasons, IBIS) and the firm's interior design service line for hotels and branded residences.
- Wilson Associates: International luxury hospitality and residential design firm with offices across the US, Europe, and Asia. Comparable to Studio U+A in its focus on luxury hotel and branded-residence interior design and architecture.
- FORREC: Toronto-headquartered international design consultancy specializing in hospitality, entertainment, and master planning. Comparable to Studio U+A in international master planning (similar to the firm's MARS Centre and Guiyang work) and hospitality pedigree.
Regional players
- Studio Lotus: Award-winning Indian architecture and design practice working across hospitality, residential, and urban projects. Comparable as an Indian boutique multi-disciplinary peer with similar cultural-design sensitivity and a strong hospitality portfolio.
- Sanjay Puri Architects: India-based architecture firm with international project presence in hospitality, residential, and commercial sectors. Comparable as a similarly sized Indian peer with comparable project typologies and a strong design reputation.
Emerging players
- LWK + Partners: Hong Kong-headquartered architecture practice with offices across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Comparable to Studio U+A in its Asia/Middle East-led international mix and master planning capability, though typically operating at larger scale.
Broad incumbents
- Foster + Partners: Global architecture and integrated design heavyweight with a comparable international office network (London, New York, and Asia) and master planning DNA. Operates at much larger scale but competes for the same marquee hospitality and urban commissions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Studio U+A social profiles
Digital presenceStudio U+A financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Studio U+A leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Studio U+A funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Studio U+A M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Studio U+A
What does Studio U+A do?
Studio U+A is a multidisciplinary, full-service international design practice delivering architectural, urban design/master planning, and interior design services. The firm takes projects from program analysis through design development, technical coordination with consultants, construction administration, and post-occupancy evaluation. It specializes in large-scale urban, hospitality, commercial, and residential developments for enterprise clients across India, the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
Is Studio U+A a public or private company?
Studio U+A is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Studio U+A founded?
Studio U+A was founded in 1995.
Where is Studio U+A based?
Studio U+A is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Studio U+A make money?
One revenue line is on record: architectural Design Services.
Who are Studio U+A's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Benoy, BDP (Building Design Partnership), dwp (design worldwide partnership), Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), Wilson Associates and FORREC. Regional players are Studio Lotus and Sanjay Puri Architects. LWK + Partners is listed as an emerging player. Foster + Partners is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Studio U+A have an API?
No public API is recorded for Studio U+A.
What industry is Studio U+A in?
Studio U+A's product category is Architectural Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAA, Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting, with a secondary code of IMAFACAA, Office & Corporate Building Construction. Its NAICS code is 54131 and its SIC code is 8742.