Architecture is now borderless in today’s connected world. Excellent design finds influence within a variety of cultures, adapts to a variety of geographies and engages an outward-looking community. Leading the charge is Jonas Upton-Hansen – Founding Director of UHA London – who has produced some of the world’s most internationally progressive projects that now resonate inside India’s changing real estate landscape.
Early Foundations in Architecture
Beginning his journey in The Architectural Association (AA) in London to complete his Diploma in Architecture, Jonas Upton-Hansen started to shape the way he began to understand large design led schemes at the beginning of his career.
Working as part of Foster + Partners, recognised as one of the most famous architecture practices in the world, he worked on very notable schemes, such as: the McLaren Formula 1 headquarters in the UK, and the Monaco Yacht Club. The level of precision and creativity were documented in these projects, more visibly later in his career.
Global Experience with Murphy/Jahn
In 2005, Jonas became the Associate Principal at Murphy/Jahn in Chicago and worked directly with internationally recognized architect Helmut Jahn. Jonas was involved with projects on three continents, helping Jonas gain experience in multiple markets of the world. While at Murphy/Jahn, his projects included the Fairbanks Court residential tower in Chicago, the West Street hotel and condominium tower in Manhattan, and LEED Gold certified 1999 K Street in Washington DC.
These projects were not only technically sophisticated but sustainable solutions were required long before sustainable practices were acknowledged in the building industry as they are now.
Jonas’ international exposure allowed him to form a global design language that respects aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability, allowing him to develop the skills and language he could later use in a practice he established under his own name.
Founding UHA: A Global Design Practice
UHA London was established in 2011 by Jonas Upton-Hansen to build an agile design-led practice which strives to work seamlessly across borders. The firm began with a UK focus but quickly moved beyond those borders up to and including 2012, creating teams in Asia, and South America with offices in Mumbai, Limassol, Budapest, and Lisboa and now has people in Tokyo, Taipei, and Mexico City.
Today, UHA is a true global studio, delivering projects in numerous markets. Under the guidance of Jonas, UHA has brought an international team of architects, designers, and urban planners together to deliver their design vision of space in a modern and future-focused manner.
Design Philosophy: Global Vision, Local Relevance
Design philosophy: global awareness, local relevance.
Jonas’s design philosophy consists of three principles:
- Global Inspiration, Local Context – Each project has an international level of design quality while recognizing and acknowledging the culture and environment of its location.
- Sustainability is Standard – Energy efficiency, material accountability, and resilience over time are all matters of design.
- Function and Form Together – Not only is the project visually interesting, it’s also functionally interesting, adding to the quality of life for those inhabiting it.
This approach ensures that UHA’s projects are not only admired but also lived in comfortably and sustainably.
UHA and Dalcore: Design Meets Development
The combination of Jonas’ skills and the UHA name have developed relationships with forward-thinking developers who need a world-class design for their projects.
A key partnership between UHA London and Dalcore brings this shared vision to life, and by combining Dalcore’s deep understanding of the Indian real estate market with UHA’s innovative design expertise, The Falcon in Sector 53, Gurugram was recognized for Best Innovative Design and awarded the “Innovative Concept Project of the Year” at the 7th Golden Brick Awards held in Dubai. It is set to redefine premium living, seamlessly blending Jonas Upton-Hansen’s global design approach with Dalcore’s commitment to quality and execution, while bringing international luxury together with the aspirations and lifestyle of Indian buyers.
Recognition and Influence
Jonas Upton-Hansen has been celebrated on international speaking platforms like Zak World of Façades and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) where he discussed commitment to design innovation and sustainability. His career is an example of architecture being at its best when it moves beyond a singular building to contribute to larger urban stories. By working within a network of varied offices from around the world and fostering a collaborative culture, Jonas has future-proofed UHA for the industry of change.
Looking Ahead
Architectural design of the future will be based on sustainability, technology integration, and human-centered design. The leadership of Jonas Upton-Hansen has already established that UHA is working at the intersection of these ideas. His projects exemplify how global practices can be tailored to local contexts without losing global vision or quality.
As UHA continues to expand, and collaborations like that with Dalcore increase in momentum, Jonas’s impact on Indian real estate will expand. For Gurugram, and beyond, this will mean homes and communities created with the world in mind, and people at the centre of design.
Synopsis
Jonas Upton-Hansen’s journey has also reflected the changing face of architecture from high-profile individual buildings to global partnerships that change the way people live and experience space. Under UHA, and in partnerships such as with Dalcore, Jonas is helping to bring international quality to India’s real estate narrative.
For home buyers, this has meant spaces that are luxurious, but also intentional, sustainable and durable. For Dalcore, this has meant continuing its goal of delivering projects that shine in quality and vision.
