(“Text as submitted by architect”)
Mohammad Saifullah Siddiqui
Architect Mohammad Saifullah Siddiqui, a 2004 graduate of the National College of Arts, Lahore, founded DB Studios in 2006. Since then, the practice has developed a diverse portfolio of residential, institutional, and public projects across Pakistan and internationally.
Alongside his professional practice, Saifullah is the co-founder of Banjaiga, a platform established in 2017 to support and promote Pakistan’s architectural community. Through initiatives such as the Open House Exhibition Series, the platform showcases local talent, encourages collaboration across disciplines, and provides emerging architects with opportunities for national visibility.
Saifullah Siddiqui is a registered member of the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) and the Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP). He has also served as a member of the CDA Design Vetting Committee, contributing to the review and evaluation of architectural proposals in the capital.
His work has been widely published and recognized through several national and international awards. These include the IAP Young Architect Excellence Award in 2013, the IAP Design Excellence Award for Residential Architecture in 2022, and the IAP Design Excellence Award for Socially Responsive Design in 2024. In 2025, his work received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. It remains one of architecture’s most prestigious honors.
Practice Ideology
At DB Studios, our design process is rooted in context, user needs, and functionality. Every component is purpose-driven, ensuring spaces respond authentically to their occupants, contributing meaningfully to their well-being. From this foundation, form and context converge to shape architecture that is deeply connected to its environment.
Our work is attuned to local geography, employing locally sourced materials and colors that reflect cultural narratives, history, and identity. Nature remains our primary inspiration; its forms, patterns, and systems guide both design thinking and problem-solving, allowing us to create spaces that balance beauty and performance.
In Pakistan, where Western design trends are often replicated without contextual consideration, we advocate for architecture that embraces local realities. Dust, climate, and aging are not resisted but acknowledged, allowing materials to develop patina and character over time. This approach fosters authenticity, longevity, and cultural resonance. We prioritize research-led, context-specific solutions over fleeting trends, consciously avoiding digital references to ensure originality and bespoke outcomes.
Our ambitions stem from addressing Pakistan’s post-independence architectural identity crisis, where ornament often eclipsed function. As a young, research-driven practice, we push material innovation with a focus on sustainability, maintenance, and durability.
Through our vast portfolio and projects such as Vision Pakistan and Karachi Steel, we aim to advance socially responsible, place-based architecture that strengthens communities and enhances quality of life.
