Sabeena Narula Singh is the first woman to serve as Chief Architect of the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD). Born in the small township of Talwara, Punjab, Sabeena’s early life was shaped by simplicity, focus, and quiet ambition. After ranking second in the Punjab board exams, she was selected on merit to study at Chandigarh College of Architecture—one of the most prestigious architecture schools in India.
Before moving to Lucknow, she spent her formative professional years learning in reputed design practices. In 1992, Guru and she co-founded Guru Sabeena & Associates with a shared vision of redefining architecture in the city. They were even featured as the “Upcoming Architect Couple of the City” in local media.
Over three decades, Sabeena has led the design of transformative public projects across Uttar Pradesh—from multi-specialty hospitals and jail complexes to cybercrime units and court buildings. One of her most defining contributions is the redesign of correctional facilities for up to 5,000 inmates, where she prioritized humane, functional environments in response to the conditions she witnessed on site.
Her journey is one of grit, love, and an unshakeable belief that even in the darkest of times, we can choose to build—be it a building, a family, or a life.
In 2025, her lifetime of contributions was recognized with the Fraternity of Architects’ Lifetime Achievement Award at the Lucknow Architecture Festival 2.0.
Key themes emerging out of our conversation:
- Self-care wasn’t a priority until it had to be.
- Finding her voice in a patriarchal city, letting the work speak.
- Breaking ground as UP’s first woman Chief Architect at PWD.
- With faith as her anchor, she met every challenge with quiet courage.
- A project of pride—reshaping UP’s jails with empathy and intent.
- Her sons, her calm, her strength, her greatest support system.
- There’s more strength inside you than you realize. Keep showing up.
- Father’s last question became her quiet vow: keep going, no matter what.
- Rooted in a small township and shaped by a culture of simplicity and encouragement, learning through everyday experiences.
- Found incredible strength in her mother-in-law—her closest companion and loudest supporter.
- Making tough choices between passion and career in a protective culture where questioning wasn’t the norm.
- From a small-town girl to a self-assured architecture student, the transition was steep but full of learning, laughter, and lasting bonds.
- A mentor’s influence. Small details matter more than big roles. The design begins with care.
- Showing up without excuses, earning trust one project at a time.
- Quietly took on the roles they once shared while her partner remained present but unable to walk alongside. Asking why, she surrendered to Grace and transformed chemo rooms into picnic spots and healing circles.
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