Sharma was born in India and worked there as an architect for many years. He learned much about city and regional planning while designing a new town for a population of 200,000. He developed housing and designed the infrastructure, including the construction of schools, hospitals, recreation centers, shopping districts and governmental buildings.

Sharma arrived in the US in 1966 and after a brief stay in Syracuse, moved to Ithaca to complete a graduate program at Cornell. He worked both in Ithaca and New York City before establishing his own firm. " Before I came to Ithaca , my two brothers went to Cornell. I used to come and stay with them. Collegetown looked like a sleepy little town. Interest rates were low and, on top of that, there was nowhere to park"

These early impressions undoubtedly influenced Sharma's later work. He has devoted most of his professional attention to the collegetown area, working with developer Jason Fane on projects such as Collegetown Plaza and Collegtown Center on Dryden Road. " For any architect to do so many buildings in a three to four block area" Sharma observes, " instills a sense of pride and satisfaction."

But there is more than just a sheer number of buildings in the one area. Sharma's work has helped to consolidate business in collegetown and has contributed to the revitalization of this once - declining commercial district. He looks back on his work with pride." Being part of the rebuilding of the collegetown area has been my biggest and most satisfying accomplishment. The concentration in one area of so many clients gives me the sense that we are doing the right things."

In 1992, he built a house on Cayuga lake that received national attention in such magazines as House and Garden. He lives there with his wife, Kanu.

Sharma has tackled projects at Cornell, as well, most recently completing a massive renovation project at the burned-out Sigma Pi fraternity. He enjoys a high volume of work," To have so many clients means I have to take care of each one's problems and work with their personal style." Sharma still finds time to sit on the Pride in Workmanship committee and the City Beautification Committee.

By:Jason Cons