Sanaa Shaikh

Sanaa is an architect, educator, and activist with a passion for inclusion in the built environment. Having worked for a number of practices in London leading large-scale projects in the UK and abroad, she started Native Studio in 2020, an architecture practice that seeks to create accessible and inclusive places and spaces. Sanaa teaches, examines, and critiques at various universities, encouraging the discourse between education and practice at the Architectural Association, Oxford Brookes University, and CSM.

She researches and investigates ideas concerning the colonisation of the built environment and pushes for wider participation in industry through her involvement with groups including the Asian Architects Association, the Paradigm Network, and the Construction Youth Trust. Sanaa has worked with Design Review organisations to ensure panels represent the communities they make decisions for and is a panelist on the Newham, Brent, and Barking and Dagenham Design Review panels.

She is Passivhaus trained and PAS 2035 qualified, incorporating such standards in all projects the practice undertakes, focusing on retrofit and the use of natural materials. She is highly involved with the Architects Climate Action Network, developing strategies to address climate and ecological breakdown.