About

I completed my Bachelor’s in Architecture from MEASI, Chennai (2018-23). Architecture has instilled in me, a profound love for design and innovation. In my pursuit of understanding architecture, I have realised its potential in solving societal and community problems. This awareness has evolved into a passion that is currently driving me to be a social innovator and to specialise in urban design for community development.

I had done my entire schooling at Don Bosco Egmore, Chennai. Don Bosco holds a special place in my heart as it has shaped me into the confident person that I am today. At Don Bosco, academia was not the only priority and we were encouraged to develop our skills with a well rounded outlook.

We followed an experiential learning approach through a plethora of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities which helped us discover and strengthen our talents. It was through these activities that we understood that not all of the answers to life’s challenges lie in the texts of our book. The opportunities to display my potential and talents, eventually helped in getting selected for a fully funded 3-week international scholarship under the ‘Schools: Partners for the Future’ (PASCH) initiative of the Goethe Institute in Germany while in Grade 12. This experience turned out to be a milestone in my life. The scholarship took me to the quaint historic town of Schlitz, in Germany. I got to experience diversity through the German language and interact with students from many countries and share our cultural identity.

I was astonished in my observations of this town. It fostered an active and high spirited community that did not need to depend on larger urban centres for a livelihood and social interaction. This created a well distributed demographic and I inferred that this was a much needed solution to the intense migrant situation of major Indian cities. And in my pursuit of contributing to designing prosperous communities, I wish to see these dreams come true through my research in the development of peri-urban regions.

When I’m not engrossed with work, I turn to music to unwind and heal.
Music is honest in a dishonest world. I often find my truth in the Blues and solace in Soul. Music to me is invigorating and that gives me a strong passion for the art. I am a formally trained western classical guitarist and I dearly love guitars and everything about them.

Awards and Achievements

GATE 2022 (Architecture & Planning) qualified. All India Rank: 1048
Top 30 out of 160 design submissions in 'Artechtism'- A national level design competition by Archresource in 2021.
Grade 7 with Distinction in Western Classical Guitar - Trinity College of Music, London - 2021
Selected for a fully funded 3 week international scholarship under the “Schools: Partners for the Future” (PASCH) initiative of the Goethe Institute in Germany in 2017.
Placed second in 'Churches of Chennai' - a documentation contest organised as part of Madras Week 2015.
Finalist at the 'Hindustan Space Kidz' competition for innovation in science and technology in 2015.
Winner of Inter-school 'Best Speaker' Award in 2015 - Silver Tongue Odyssey debates.
'Best Orator' Award in primary school for excellence in oratorical skills - 2011.
Finalist at 'Be Heard in Australia' a public speaking competition by the Indo-Australian association in 2017.

Simon Elias