Alumni Profile: Tanuja Naryal, M.Arch'26

Tanuja Narayal, M.Arch'26, (she/her) came to Boston Architectural College (BAC) with a strong architectural background, a clear sense of purpose, and a desire to keep growing. Originally from India, Tanuja had already completed a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree and spent several years practicing before deciding to pursue her Master of Architecture at the BAC with the Integrated Path to Architecture Licensure (IPAL) program. Demonstrating a trajectory toward her U.S. professional licensure, Tanuja’s academic and practice rigor culminated at the 2026 Commencement, where she was honored as 1 of 8 graduates to complete the NCARB IPAL program.

For Tanuja, the decision to continue her education was about more than earning another degree. She wanted to challenge herself, expand her knowledge, and prepare to become a stronger leader in the profession. At the BAC, she found a place where she could continue working in the field while studying, moving between practice and school in a way that reflected the kind of architect she wanted to become.

During my time at the BAC, I saw myself bridging between the professional and graduate worlds — this constantly inspired me and strengthened my ability to involve myself in architecture more, helping me stay disciplined and manage pressure accordingly.

That balance between professional work and graduate study became a defining part of her BAC experience. While working full-time, Tanuja remained deeply engaged in her coursework, and she found that the combination helped her think more critically about architecture. She said the BAC taught her to question design decisions, see drawings and documentation as a language, and consider how even the smallest details can shape the experience of the people using a space.

Her experience at the BAC was also shaped by mentorship and community. She spoke highly of the guidance she received from faculty, staff, and professional mentors, crediting them with helping her think beyond surface-level design and understand the accountability that comes with architectural practice. For Tanuja, confidence in architecture is not about having every answer; it is about being able to think deeply, communicate clearly, and keep learning.

Networking and relationship-building were also central to her success. During her time at the BAC, she made a point of attending events, connecting with professionals, and staying active in the architecture community. This exceptional engagement early in her graduate career was recognized by major national and global organizations, earning her scholarships from Professional Women in Construction and the Urban Land Institute.

That effort helped her secure multiple internships and co-ops, which ultimately led to her current full-time role at Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype.

My advice to incoming students would be: Do not isolate yourself– build relationships, talk to people, ask thoughtful questions, show up at events, reach out to professionals, and stay engaged. That’s one thing that helped me a lot as architecture is very collaborative.

At her firm, Tanuja has worked across a range of project types, including high-end residential design, life sciences, project management, and historical preservation. She especially values the opportunity to work on preservation projects involving churches and monasteries, where she can help protect spaces with deep historical and cultural significance.

Her standout professional contributions and leadership in the field earned her the BAC’s Practice Distinction Award, an honor reserved for individuals demonstrating excellence in concurrent professional practice.

Her Master's thesis reflects that same balance of care and design rigor. The project is an education center for underprivileged children in India, and was shaped by her desire to create a space that supports learning, emotional well-being, and dignity. Rather than designing a building that feels institutional or cold, she focused on making the environment uplifting, generous, and welcoming.

Courtyards, green space, and open circulation play an important role in the design. The project prioritizes emotional comfort as much as functional efficiency, with thoughtful attention to how children move through the site, gather, and interact.

A particularly meaningful aspect of the project is its use of Indian vernacular architecture. Incorporated in the design are clay sun-dried brick screens that filter sunlight, cast shadows, and help cool the building in the hot climate of northern India. This choice connected the project to Tanuja’s roots while also responding to local environmental needs.

Ultimately, this project functions as an innovative model for spatial equity, pioneering a transferable design framework that successfully tackles complex socio-economic and educational programmatic challenges.

The BAC taught me how to critically and intentionally make design decisions. When you’re consistently being asked to explain design intent in Studio, it really stays with you in practice. Now at work, it’s changed the way I look at technical documents– seeing the whole process as a language instead of just a drawing has helped me be more thoughtful when considering how design details affect the experience of the user.

Tanuja’s journey at the BAC reflects the impact of combining study, practice, and community. Through her coursework, work experience, mentorship, and Thesis, she has developed a design approach grounded in purpose.

Learn more about the BAC’s Master of Architecture program!