Shahid was born and grew up in North London and by 16 he had decided that architecture was what he wanted to do. He studied at Cambridge University, qualifying in 2004. He went on to work for prominent architects and interior designers such as M3 Architects, Shepherd Epstein Hunter and Ab Rogers Design. Ab Rogers opened his eyes to how colour, texture, finish and attention to detail can shape things around us so dramatically and in such different ways. 

Shahid’s passion for architecture began when he saw the Lloyds of London building by Richard Rogers. It was the basis of his A-level project but still today Shahid loves the building’s strong presence, its’ foreboding, dystopian feel. 

After qualifying as an architect in 2004 Shahid had enough of books and 'learning' and took 9 months to travel the world including Eastern Europe, the Indian Sub-Continent and other far flung corners of the world and really start learning. This experience was key in underpinning his belief that there are many, many ways of creating buildings which don't fit into specific categories but, rather, require time and understanding to develop. Understanding of social, cultural and economic conditions is fundamental to designing buildings appropriate to a location - whether it be a residential extension, block of flats or a school classroom.

Shahid cannot imagine doing anything else – he lives and breathes architecture. What is key to SHA designs is using architecture to bring people together, using structures and small details, that allow people to reconnect with one another through the space they occupy.