Deconstructing a Designer: Divya Vijayanandakumar

Having created over fifty compelling interiors in both India and the Bay Area, Divya Vijayanandakumar brings a wealth of design experience to Harrell Design + Build Born and raised in Chennai, India, the most significant cultural, economic and educational center of south India, Divya initially pursued Computer Science but after graduating with a Bachelors degree, she did a career about-face, deciding to come to Silicon Valley in 2004 to attend West Valley College, where she achieved her AA degree in Interior Design.

After working in a residential firm as a Junior Designer and then moving to a commercial firm as a Senior Interior Designer contributing her talents to large-scale office buildings as well as healthcare and educational facilities, Divya moved back to India in 2011. She spent a few years working at a high-end residential design firm before launching her own residential and commercial Design + Build company, Plan B, whose award-winning designs were featured in none other than Vogue Magazine.

“My favorite commercial project was close to the beach in a prime location in Chennai,” reflects Divya. “It was a building that would serve as a retail showcase for up and coming fashion and lifestyle designers in India. The Plan D created that space from the ground up, inside and out. It put the company on the map.”

Her favorite residential project to date was a show home for clients with a limitless budget. With 16,000 square feet, it was an Interior Designer’s dream project, that included top of the line, carefully curated fixtures, products and materials.

Once again, the Bay Area called and Divya answered, relocating once again to Silicon Valley and joining Harrell Design + Build in May 2019 as one of our Designers. Divya brings with her a keen eye for design aesthetics along with a deep-rooted understanding of field work, project management, and entrepreneurship.

A LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction, Divya also has her Evidence Based Design certification and accreditation. She is driven by creating a sense of function and beauty by understanding the deepest wants and needs of her clients. She fully believes that that grade of work you offer the world reflects that strength of the respect you have for yourself, and lives by this credo through her integrity, professionalism, patience, and empathy.

“I was drawn to Harrell Design + Build because it is very different than any other work environment I’ve experienced,” shares Divya. “The employee-owner concept means there is no internal competition. It literally changes the entire dynamic to one where we all work efficiently and effectively together toward a common goal-making our clients’ homes perfect for them.”

Divya has volunteered her time working with Habitat for Humanity as well as with a former organization called Design Response, that also created affordable spaces for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to have a home. She also put her artistic skills to work painting murals at local schools.

When she isn’t working, Divya, her husband, and young son enjoy trail hiking all around the Bay Area. A self-proclaimed “major foodie,” she loves discovering new restaurants and is extremely well-traveled, having spent considerable time immersing herself with the goal of “living like a local” in Italy, Thailand, New Zealand, Greece, and Croatia.