Core Team
Uttam Budhathoki
CEO - Senior Civil & Rural Engineer
Sujan Shrestha
Senior Architect & Co-Founder
Manisha Shakya
Senior Architect & Co-Founder
Uttam Budhathoki
Uttam Budhathoki is a Senior Civil and Rural Engineer and Co-Founder of Navya, bringing extensive field and project management experience in infrastructure and building construction.
He graduated from Pokhara University in 2016 and has since gained strong hands-on experience in major infrastructure projects, including bridges and road construction. He served as a Project Manager for the Mid Hill Highway Project in Nuwakot for three years, where he successfully managed site operations, team coordination, and project execution.
After returning to Kathmandu, he led several residential construction projects as Project Manager, ensuring quality control, timely completion, and efficient resource management. He also served as Project Manager for the Gandaki Province Training Academy (GPTA) Building for two years where he lead the project from zero level (foundation stage) through major phases of construction, managing execution, supervision, and quality control from the ground up.
Currently, at Navya, he oversees overall site operations and serves as the Head of Site Works and Project Execution, ensuring projects are delivered with technical excellence, safety compliance, and high construction standards.
Sujan Shrestha
Sujan Shrestha is a Senior Architect and Co-Founder of Navya, with comprehensive experience in architectural design and project execution.
He graduated from Pokhara University in 2016 and completed his internship at Prajwal Hada and Associates, where he gained practical exposure to professional design processes and project coordination.
Following his internship, he worked as a freelance architect on several private and government projects, including residential buildings, hospitals, and gym/fitness centers. His involvement ranged from conceptual design and detailed drawings to site supervision and execution, ensuring design intent was successfully translated into built form.
At Navya, he oversees overall studio operations and site execution, ensuring quality design development, technical accuracy, and smooth coordination between design and construction teams. In addition to design and site management, he actively handles client coordination, working closely with clients to understand their requirements, provide technical guidance, manage expectations, and ensure smooth communication throughout the project lifecycle.
Beyond his professional work, he is passionate about fitness, enjoys exploring food, and has interest in music, bringing creativity and energy into both his personal and professional life.
Manisha Shakya
Manisha Shakya is a Senior Architect and Co-Founder of Navya, with extensive experience in architectural design, government projects, and academic involvement.
She graduated from Pokhara University in 2016 and began her professional career working with private firms on both private and government projects, including residential buildings, hospitals, landscape design, and institutional developments.
Alongside practice, she contributed to academia as a Lecturer at IEC College, where she taught Bachelor-level students (1st, 2nd, and 3rd years), mentoring future interior designers and sharing practical design knowledge.
To broaden her professional exposure, she moved to Pokhara and worked at the Urban Development and Building Office under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, Gandaki Province. There, she led and contributed to various government building projects from design through site execution. Major projects include the Gandaki Province Training Academy (GPTA), Gandaki University, and the Mahendra Cave Landscape Project. She also served as a part-time Lecturer at Pokhara Engineering College (PEC), continuing her engagement in architectural education.
Now based in Kathmandu, she co-founded Navya and oversees studio operations and overall office management, ensuring strong design direction, efficient coordination, and organizational leadership. She enjoys cooking, music, and spending quality time with her toddler, bringing creativity and balance into both her professional and personal life.
