Desai Chia Architecture

Katherine Chia FAIA and Arjun Desai AIA are the founding principals of Desai Chia Architecture. Since 1996, they have established the firm’s reputation for authentic design, creating inspiring environments expressive of their use and materials; Desai Chia’s portfolio includes cultural, residential, and commercial projects as well as commissions for product design and collaborations with artists. Projects are currently in development throughout the United States and abroad.

Desai Chia Architecture received Architizer’s global A+ Award for Best Small Architecture Firm in 2025. Architizer also ranked Desai Chia #22 in their list of the top 100 architecture firms in the US. They have also been featured on Forbes Magazine’s list of the top 200 American residential architects. Architect Magazine ranked Desai Chia Architecture #19 in the nation for design excellence. Desai Chia’s projects have been published extensively and received many accolades including the AIA Institute Honor Award, AAP Small Firm of the Year Award for Multi-disciplinary Architecture, numerous American Architecture Awards, AIA Design Awards, Interior Design Best of Year Awards, the IDEA Award, and several Good Design Awards. The firm’s work has been exhibited at the Center for Architecture, the Chicago Architecture Biennial, the Istanbul Bienniale, Salone del Mobile Milan, the Herman Miller showrooms in New York and LA, and Parsons The New School of Design.

Katherine Chia FAIA earned her Master of Architecture degree from M.I.T. and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College. Prior to founding Desai Chia Architecture, she worked for Maya Lin on numerous art and architecture commissions. Chia is a registered architect in the states of New York & Connecticut. She has also been a faculty member in the architecture department at Parsons The New School of Design, Co-Chair of the Van Alen Institute’s Program Leadership Council, a trustee of the United Nations International School, and a board member & treasurer of the AIA New York Chapter. She is currently a Board member of the Center for Architecture, a Board member of the International Center of Photography, and Trustee Emerita of Amherst College.

Arjun Desai AIA grew up in New Delhi and Mumbai, India.  Prior to founding Desai Chia Architecture, he worked at SHCA/NY on numerous civic projects in New York and Washington, D.C. He earned his Master of Architecture degree from M.I.T. and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bennington College.  Desai is a registered architect in the state of New York and an active member of the AIA NY.