Lead Designer
BArch, MArch, COA
London, UK
Karthikeyan Arunachalam
Photograph by Frederic Aranda ©
Render by SuperView
At ZHA, Karthikeyan has worked on all stages of project delivery, from concept development to completion. He is currently focused on the construction stage of the International Gateway Centre in Hong Kong. Using research-driven generative processes, he explores creative possibilities with multi-layered information — mechanical systems, safety regulations, and functional requirements — stacked to form cohesive and impactful designs.
Prior to joining ZHA, Karthikeyan worked with architectural practices in India on projects ranging from small commercial offices to large-scale masterplans.
Courtesy of Matt Danby, archifocussed
Featured Projects
From a development above Hong Kong’s High Speed Rail West Kowloon Terminus to redesigning The Winton Gallery within the Science Museum in London, discover highlights of Karthikeyan's notable projects at ZHA.
Courtesy of ZHA
Karthikeyan completed his Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Architecture and Planning at Anna University in India and his Master of Architecture and Urbanism from the Design Research Laboratory (DRL) at the Architectural Association (AA) in London.
Karthikeyan’s passion for architecture was inspired by his civil engineer father, as well as the intricate design details on India’s monumental and religious spaces. He enjoys spontaneous adventures to unknown destinations, embracing the unpredictability and inspiration they bring to his life and work.
Projects
Explore a selection of projects Karthikeyan has contributed to since joining ZHA.
Render by Hayes Davidson
Mixed Use
Offices
Adjacent to the West Kowloon Cultural District, the 3.2 million sq. ft. development above Hong Kong’s High Speed Rail West Kowloon Terminus connects established and emerging neighbourhoods with a network of public gardens and landscaped plazas.
Photograph by Heiko Stahl
Messehalle 3A
Mixed Use
Civic
NürnbergMesse is one of the world’s largest exhibition companies with a portfolio of over 120 national and international exhibitions and congresses that include 35,000 exhibitors and 1.5 million visitors who attend in their own, partner and guest events of the NürnbergMesse Group.
Courtesy of ZHA
Mixed Use
The design responds to Lambeth Council’s aspirations for a district centre for Vauxhall by creating a vibrant new public square adjacent to the busy rail, underground and bus interchange. The proposal also accommodates TfL’s existing plans to upgrade the traffic gyratory and bus station to provide greater accessibility and safety for all.
Courtesy of ZHA
Tall Buildings
Offices
Civic
Rising from the sloping banks of the Tigris River in Baghdad, the design for the new headquarters of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) conveys the core values at the heart of the institution: Solidity, Stability and Sustainability.
Courtesy of ZHA, render by MIR
Sports
The Eco Park stadium for Forest Green Rovers will be an important addition for the community. The club’s heritage, ambition and vision reflect ZHA’s own, combining the latest material research and construction techniques with new design approaches to build a more ecologically sustainable and inclusive architecture.
Photograph by Luke Hayes
Education
Culture
Mathematics: The Winton Gallery brings together remarkable stories, historical artefacts and design to highlight the central role of mathematical practice in all our lives, and explores how mathematicians, their tools and ideas have helped build the modern world over the past four centuries.
Photograph by Virgile Simon Bertrand
Sports
ZHA’s first sports and commercial project in Asia, GO PARK Sai Sha is nestled between the mountains of Hong Kong’s Ma On Shan Country Park and the sheltered waters of Three Fathoms Cove which leads out to the South China Sea.
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