By Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi
RAWALPINDI, Jan 13 (APP): As government-backed development and public investment reshape housing, infrastructure and urban growth, architectural success is increasingly judged by deliverability rather than visual appeal alone. Clear drawings, realistic sequencing, cost awareness and effective coordination among stakeholders have become central to good design.
Rafia Lakhani has positioned her early career at this intersection, combining architectural training with construction project management to ensure design intent translates into execution.
Holding a Bachelor of Architecture from NED University of Engineering and Technology and an MSc in Construction Project Management from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Lakhani represents an emerging professional profile within the construction sector.
In an interview with APP, she described her focus as that of a construction design and management expert, integrating architectural fundamentals with systems and controls required to manage complex projects.
Her architectural education provided grounding in design principles, materials, construction techniques, professional ethics and the wider social and economic context of the built environment. Industry observers note that many project delays and disputes stem not from flawed concepts but from designs that are poorly translated into buildable steps, particularly when multiple consultants and disciplines are involved.
In professional practice, Lakhani gained hands-on exposure through site visits, surveys and client meetings, sharpening her ability to interpret client needs and adapt designs to on-ground realities. She developed practical familiarity with architectural and MEP drawings in residential projects, reinforcing the importance of coordinated technical documentation in avoiding execution-stage setbacks.
Her portfolio reflects a results-oriented approach. She prepared material boards to maintain design consistency and support client approvals, contributed to contract document reviews and coordinated design development between architectural and MEP teams to improve execution flow. Beyond design, she organised project trackers under tight deadlines, took part in meetings focused on health and safety compliance and supported subcontractor management to ensure adherence to specifications.
Graduate studies at Heriot-Watt University during 2023–24 added a broader project-delivery framework to this experience. Lakhani strengthened her understanding of contract and change management, value and risk management, and project financial fundamentals, including cash-flow considerations. Her final integrated project examined a metro line case study in Abu Dhabi, where she contributed as a sustainability and design consultant, highlighting the role of structured decision-making and documentation in large-scale infrastructure.
Her academic work also included an analysis of the Edinburgh Tram project from strategic, value and risk perspectives, alongside research into the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in construction workflows.
She is currently focusing on low-cost housing, examining design needs and cost–benefit dynamics as cities seek affordable and scalable solutions.
Lakhani emphasises clarity and execution over presentation-driven complexity. “I try to make design decisions that are easy to build, not just easy to present,” she said, adding that disciplined project controls are about building trust and capturing changes early to protect timelines and professional relationships.
As the construction industry moves towards faster delivery, tighter budgets and specialised building requirements, professionals who integrate design thinking with project management systems are increasingly essential. Lakhani’s profile reflects this shift, marked by methodical work that turns design intent into coordinated, build-ready outcomes serving both public interest and industry needs.