Asma Geelani, Visionary Architect Passes Away
OBITUARY: Visionary Architect Asma Geelani Passes Away; Leaves Behind a Global Legacy
SRINAGAR / NEW YORK — The architectural world is in mourning following the passing of Asma Geelani a trailblazing Kashmiri architect who broke barriers both at home and abroad. Known for her work on high-profile international projects and her fierce advocacy for the preservation of Kashmiri heritage, Geelani’s career spanned three continents and left an indelible mark on modern urban design.
A Career Without Borders
Born into an architectural family in Srinagar’s Sher-e-Khas, Asma was the daughter of the renowned architect behind landmark Kashmiri structures like the Pari Mahal Hotel. Despite early societal skepticism regarding women in the field, she pursued her passion, graduating from the prestigious Sir J.J. College of Architecture in Mumbai.
Her career was defined by a rare versatility:
Global Footprint: She established herself as a leading figure in the United States and Kuwait, eventually launching her own firm, Jeelani Associates, with offices in both regions.
Tech & Infrastructure: In Washington state, she contributed to the development of the Microsoft Campus in Redmond and worked on private office designs for Bill Gates.
Public Works: In Kuwait, she spearheaded technical departments for massive government projects, including the Redevelopment of the Ministry of Finance and the Ooredoo Headquarter Towers.
Champion of the “Kashmiri Soul”
While her professional success took her to the world’s most modern cities, Asma’s heart remained in the valley. Upon returning to Kashmir in 2007, she became a vocal critic of the “haphazard” and “unplanned” urbanization of Srinagar.
“The indigenous architecture of Kashmir—a mix of wood and mud—is not only climate-friendly but earthquake resistant. There is no point of modernization if we do it at the cost of our heritage.” > — Asma Jeelani, 2016
She spent her later years drafting a comprehensive blueprint for the facelift of Sher-e-Khas, aiming to restore the old city’s original glory while solving modern traffic management issues. At the time of her passing, she was also co-authoring a definitive book titled “History of Kashmiri Architecture.”
A Lasting Legacy
Jeelani was more than a designer of buildings; she was a mentor to a generation of young Kashmiri women aspiring to enter STEM and design fields. Her first major project in Kashmir—the renovation of the Gulmarg Golf Course, inaugurated by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee—stands as a testament to her ability to blend international standards with local aesthetics.
| Region | Notable Projects / Roles |
| Kashmir | Gulmarg Golf Course Renovation, Advisor to Public Works |
| United States | Microsoft Redmond Campus, Kemmij Associates |
| Kuwait | Ministry of Finance Redevelopment, Schlumberger Headquarters |
| Germany | Residential projects in Munich |
Asma Geelani passing marks the end of an era for Kashmiri architecture. She is remembered by colleagues as a “resilient pioneer” who refused to compromise on the soul of a city for the sake of a skyline. Details regarding her memorial service are expected to be announced by the family and the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) Srinagar Centre.
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