After earning an M.Arch from the University at Buffalo and interning as a designer for a few years, Ashish spent 25 years in tech, building and leading IT divisions for startups and enterprise firms. Along the way, he earned his MBA from UMD’s Smith School of Business. Returning to architecture after this tech detour and prior to obtaining his architectural license, he drew on his business and leadership experience to launch RARA Designz -- an independent residential practice that has delivered over 60 projects in that last 3 years -- demonstrating that strong business and operational fundamentals can pave the way to starting a firm while pursuing licensure. Now a licensed architect in DC, MD, and VA, Ashish leads RARA Architects, combining a human-first design philosophy with tech-forward, business-driven workflows. The firm embeds modern tools into every phase of project delivery—utilizing SketchUp, 360°/LiDAR scanning, integrated CRMs, and multi-level AI optimization—deploying technology intentionally to drive profitability, scalability, and design rigor. Outside the studio, Ashish is an avid golfer and bonsai enthusiast, always eager to connect over a round of golf or discuss his latest bonsai experiment. Occasionally, you'll still find him tinkering with code—a subtle nod to his long tech career.