Jigna Jani, Architect and Curator
Jigna Jani is a co-founder of AKAR Architecture and a driving force behind its founding vision: that architecture should be a poetic response to people, nature, and function. With a background rooted in both global perspectives and local sensibilities, Jigna brings a thoughtful, human-centered approach to every project. Her work reflects a deep interest in how art and architecture intersect—how space can both ground us and inspire us.
Born and educated in India, Jigna received her Bachelor of Architecture from the L. S. Raheja School of Art and Architecture in Mumbai. She later pursued her Master of Architecture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, before settling in Iowa City in 1993. Alongside her partner Sanjay Jani, she co-founded AKAR Architecture in 1998, establishing a design studio that seamlessly blends cultural diversity, sustainability, and community connection.
Jigna also founded Akar Design and Clay Akar, two highly regarded design galleries in downtown Iowa City. What began as a shared space for art and architecture evolved into a celebrated platform for showcasing contemporary ceramics and curated design objects from around the world. As a curator, she champions craftsmanship, design thinking, and meaningful storytelling through objects.
Her passion for merging art with architecture informs her design ethos—spaces that are not only functional but rich in texture, experience, and feeling. Whether designing homes, curating exhibitions, or building community through design, Jigna’s work celebrates collaboration, beauty, and the everyday rituals that make life meaningful.
Education:
Master of Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California
Bachelor of Architecture, L. S. Raheja School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai, India
Founder of:
Akar Design
Clay Akar
AKAR Architecture
Selected Experience:
Patel Residence, Iowa City, Iowa
Skopec Residence, Iowa City
Art City, Iowa City, Iowa
Davis Residence, Mount Pleasant, Iowa
208 Remodel, Iowa City, Iowa
