engineering.
We’re pleased to announce Hanif Kara, Raj Takhar and Manoj Gihwala have joined the Design Council across an array of roles. The Design Council’s purpose is to make life better by design, working as an independent charity and the government’s advisor on design.
Co-founder and design director, Hanif Kara, joins the Design Council as ambassador. Hanif is widely recognised as a creative driving force in the world of design having taught the subject internationally. He is currently a Professor in Practice of Architectural Technology at Harvard Graduate School of Design and a member of the UK’s National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) Design Group. Hanif was on the board of trustees for the Architecture Foundation from 2010-19, and was previously the first structural engineer to be appointed to the UK Design Council’s ‘CABE’ commission. He has also served on the Steering Committee and Master Jury for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture where he continues as a senior advisor to the Aga Khan Development Network.
AKT II director, Raj Takhar, joins the Design Council as associate. Raj leads the Manchester office with over 30 years’ experience overseeing the design and delivery of all projects throughout the North West. Raj has worked in multi-disciplinary teams and contributes and helps solve issues beyond his core discipline including placemaking, impact on the environment, materials and buildability.
Design engineer, Manoj Gihwala joins the Design Council as a specialist. Following his studies from Imperial College, London, Manoj gained experience across a variety of commercial, office and residential projects. In his home country of Cape Town, South Africa he was a founding member of Black, Young & Gifted (BYG). This programme was set up to provide assistance, drive and financial support to previously disadvantaged South African students, with the aim of promoting academia in the black community in the field of civil engineering.
The Design Council’s aim through design is to ensure better processes and innovative products, which ultimately lead to superior performance. They collaborate closely with a world-class associate network of 450 built environment experts and design associates to bring together the right team for every project.
To find out more about the expert panels, click here to go to the Design Council’s website.
