jeru parikh
Business Administrator
With a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Landscape Architecture, Jeru has a uniquely strong foundational knowledge of the built environment and open spaces. Jeru has more than 20 years of professional experience as a Landscape Architect which culminated in a decade long stint at Denver Parks & Rec, where she managed significant high-profile projects such as the Levitt Pavilion and the Carla Madison Recreation Center. In her new avatar as the Office Manager for Santulan Architecture, she helps advance the professional and social culture of the firm while improving our office systems and coordinating our continuing education. With her broad and varied experience as a respected design professional and a highly accomplished project manager, Jeru plays a vital role in maintaining and sustaining our organization.
Get to know JERu
You have studied both Architecture and Landscape Architecture. What interplay do you see between these professions?
Historically in the US, the two professions have been somewhat siloed. But there is growing and long overdue awareness of their intersectionality and that is very exciting to me. There is cutting edge research going on in the realms of biophilic design and biomimicry and Architects are finally beginning to realize how much they can learn from the natural world.
To me the most amazing spaces are the indoor-outdoor spaces and the exciting interplay that happens between the built environment and the natural world. No matter how attractive a building, if it does not integrate the outdoors, or if it does not engage the public realm effectively, to me it is not well designed.
How would you promote equity and diversity in our profession?
As an immigrant, a person of color, and a woman, I am acutely aware of the lack of diversity in our profession. Data shows that there has been slow and steady progress on this front but clearly there is still a lot of work to be done. We can all contribute in large ways and small to create a more inclusive profession. We need to push back against prejudice at every opportunity, we need to provide platforms to a wide spectrum of voices, and we need to support policies that push back against the forces of nativism. I came to this great land of opportunity as an immigrant and I want to make the path of those who follow in my footsteps easier, not harder.
What are your hobbies?
At heart I am a quiet and contemplative person. I regularly practice Yoga because it helps me maintain a sense of balance, both physically and mentally. I also enjoy the amazing Colorado outdoors, but I am not an adventurous thrill-seeker. I gave up downhill skiing a long time ago and I certainly do not imagine free soloing the flatirons! I am happy taking quiet walks with my husband and my dog, or hiking in the mountains with my family, or spending a weekend afternoon running errands around town on a bike. To me these activities are fulfilling and therapeutic, speaking of which, I also really enjoy cooking! Cooking dinner in a slow and deliberate way is the best way for me to wind down after a long workday. I truly feel that I am a citizen of the world and so I cook foods from everywhere!
What kind of music do you enjoy?
Growing up in India, Bollywood music is all around you, it seeps into your soul and becomes your lifelong companion. I don’t think any music genre deftly fuses all other music genres as Bollywood does. You will find elements of Indian Classical, Indian Folk, Islamic Devotional, Western Classical, Latin, Rock, Jazz, Pop, Disco, Techno, Hip Hop, R&B, and even Country Western in Bollywood. And what’s more, these songs have amazing poetic lyrics that have deep connections to the plot lines of their movies, which only adds to their allure.