Your environment shapes who you become.

This is especially true for students. The spaces they learn in affect their feelings, thoughts, and actions. But too often, these spaces are not designed to support their growth and potential.

Great spaces unlock new possibilities for students. They inspire confidence, boost intelligence, and spark creativity. They help every student become a better version of themselves.

At Danish Kurani, we design spaces for learners. Because it’s not only what you learn, but where you learn.

A lifelong journey to build better spaces

Before his 4th birthday, Danish Kurani had already lived in three different countries. By the time he turned 18, he’d bounced between 10 different homes, from Pakistan to Canada to America. The only constant were the LEGO bricks and sketchpad he carried from place to place.

Each time Danish’s surroundings changed, so did his perspective on the world. When he was 10, he felt the impact of thin walls ruining a home’s sense of privacy. When he was 12, he saw the liveliness of ethnic grocery stores, and the sterility of supermarkets. When he was 14, he fell in love with a park he could walk to.

Over the years, sketches and LEGO bricks turned to blueprints and buildings. However, it was soon clear to Danish that working for major firms wouldn’t cut it. Architects seemed to care more about designing iconic buildings and less about how people used those spaces. 

Inspiration turned to entrepreneurship, and in 2013, the firm was born. Education was the focus. The mission: Put students and staff at the center of every design, and create spaces that serve their needs and goals.

Almost immediately, Danish began finding education leaders who shared his mission. They, too, wanted to give students—and society—a brighter future.

Danish Kurani partnered with New York City to create a new kind of high school, one designed to support young Black men. Then, a partnership with Denver Public Schools to create a prototype classroom that promoted creativity and individuality. 

Soon, more leaders began aligning with the vision. More partnerships formed. Danish Kurani created a Silicon Valley high school where teachers get to experiment with curriculum. An Indian school that teaches happiness. Computer science labs for underrepresented kids in Oakland.

Each space Danish Kurani designs is unique, but they all share a common goal: to reflect the communities who use them. 

Whether it’s at the scale of a LEGO brick or a skyscraper, Danish Kurani wants the world to see how design can make a difference in people’s lives. Sometimes, you just need to shift your perspective.