Registered Architect (UK); ARB RIBA (UK)
BScArch, DipArch, MArch UCL, PgDipArch

Soraya is a UK registered architect. Since graduating from The Bartlett, University College London, Soraya spent six years working for Foster + Partners in Hong Kong. During this time Soraya helped to develop design strategies which optimised the operational and commercial performance of a number of existing buildings. Soraya was part of the design team which transformed The Murray, a Hong Kong listed government office, into 5-star boutique hotel. Soraya went on to lead the refurbishment of The Fleming Hotel in Hong Kong, which saw the regeneration of a fading 3-star business hotel into a boutique travel destination. In 2017, Soraya set up Studio Soraya Limited, an architecture and interior design studio based in Hong Kong. With a strong foundation in adaptive re-use and its impact on minimising waste, pollution and carbon emissions, Soraya has been developing her practice in design strategies for urban regeneration and sustainable living.

Studio Soraya’s award winning projects include Grassroots Eco-Home, an eco-friendly housing solution in remote and rural locations in China. In Grassroots Eco-Home, Soraya combined BCore, a carbon neutral construction material with plant and soil growth. In 2018, Studio Soraya was awarded 1st Prize for a proposal to repurpose disused 16th Century farms in Italy. This proposal was praised for its potential to protect heritage and the surrounding environment, whilst reviving the local textile and tourism industries. Studio Soraya has also been commended by RIBAJ and the Korean Institute of Architects for proposals which transform underutilised sites into low-carbon commercial propositions and which also promote wellness within local communities.

HKU SPACE Architecture

Ms. Soraya Somarathne