Karan Pancholi

Karan is an architect and co-founder of Okra, a multidisciplinary architecture studio specialising in socially driven design. He has led creative community projects with a strong emphasis on research at their core, using inclusive engagement methodologies, detailed urban analysis, and innovative material testing. His past work includes delivering strategic work with multiple stakeholder groups in existing estate contexts and projects centring on co-design to inform creative outcomes.

Before joining the Spring Cohort 2024, Karan worked across scales at architecture practices in London, focusing on residential and mixed-use projects. He has run hands-on construction workshops for an annual Structures and Technologies unit at London Metropolitan University and educational programmes for primary school students with The Barbican. Karan was part of the inaugural Architecture Foundation Young Trustees board, establishing volunteer-led projects and contributing to the charity’s live events programme.

London Borough of Croydon

As part of our Spring Cohort 2024, Karan worked as a Regeneration Manager in Croydon Council’s Growth Zone team, where he delivered holistic town centre regeneration outcomes with a positive impact for the public. During his placement, he contributed to the development of research-driven strategies and capital delivery workstreams as part of the Amplifying Surrey Street (AMP) and Urban Greening projects.

AMP, part of the GLA’s Civic Partnership Programme, involved Karan managing the delivery of the strategic work, leading on the successful funding application to the GLA, and supporting the project’s mobilisation. He was also responsible for internally focused, communication-led projects designed to support collaboration across the organisation. This included coordinating and presenting information on town centre regeneration projects to ensure alignment and shared understanding.

His role required developing strong collaborative partnerships with colleagues, strategic partners, and local communities, in support of the Council’s ambitions for high-quality town centre regeneration.