Nirmala's headshot

Nirmala Srinivasa

RID, LEED AP ID+C, WELL AP
Associate Principal, Dallas

Having trained as an architect in India and practiced interior design for eleven years in Singapore before joining Perkins&Will, Nirmala brings a rare hybrid perspective that lets her see what others miss. She’s developed a unique role at the heart of our most complex projects—from workplace and aviation to healthcare and education—anticipating challenges and advocating for clients throughout the design process. Her ability to distill complexity into clear solutions is matched only by her ability to listen.

What people notice first about Nirmala is how easy she is to connect with. She has the technical expertise to navigate complicated design challenges, but it’s a genuine love for people that makes her a leader. Nirmala’s innate compassion and her career spanning languages and countries has sharpened her ability to build rapport with anyone, hearing what people mean, beyond what they say. For Nirmala, the best design and the best mentorship start in the same place: making people feel seen and heard.

Say hello to Nirmala
"Trust is transformative. When people know their voice is heard and valued, everyone is more engaged, and our work is stronger."
Interior view of a spacious architecture featuring a prominent wooden staircase, concrete pillars, and people engaging in various activities.
Aerial view of a circular architectural space featuring a lightwell, wooden seating, and concrete elements, illuminated by multiple ceiling lights.
Confidential corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio
"Remarkable" Problem Solving

On a 400,000-square-foot corporate campus, Nirmala was the client point of contact for the fit-out, coordinating across interior design, architecture, engineering, and construction. She noticed frustrations with a monumental staircase design. The client wanted the stair, like the project as a whole, to be “remarkable,” and didn’t feel the ambition had been realized. Nirmala regrouped with the team, and in deep collaboration with the client helped unlock a design compelling enough that the fabrication crew went out of their way to film its construction and installation. The client loved it, and Interior Design Magazine agreed, selecting it for the Best of Year Awards’ 20th anniversary retrospective as the best staircase of the last two decades.

Nirmala smiles with her husband, son, and daughter outdoors. They wear formal attire against a stone building backdrop.
Nirmala with her family
Fun Fact

Nirmala’s a self-taught crocheter, spending her free time working on multiple, simultaneous crochet projects. Beyond her passion for crafting, she also loves baking, reading, and nurturing her garden.

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