Architecture is certainly one of the most rewarding careers in a developing nation like India. The constantly spreading cities provide great opportunities for architects to lay down their hands on the projects through which they can make a great fortune and a global name for themselves. An architect designer’s work is a form of art where they virtually create the entire plan way before it’s actually crafted in the real world. There is an extensive list of such architect designers in India who are globally acclaimed for their unique yet efficient designs some of them are listed in this article below.
1.) Hafeez Contractor
Most of the people might be familiar with his name owing to his reference chapter in 8th standard NCERT book. He is a holder of Padma Bhushan, one of the most prestigious awards given by Government of India and he is the man behind projects like DY Patil Stadium, Hiranandani Gardens and Morya Regency in Mumbai and Infosys GEC & SDB 4- Mysore. He has also designed the 3rd tallest residential building in the world namely 23 Marina.
Hafeez Contractor has graduated from the University of Mumbai and completed his Master’s Degree from Columbia University. Some of his popular works are:-
1. Omaxe 2 in Lucknow
2. Main – 42 in Kolkata
2.) Brinda Somaya
Brinda Somaya is the lady behind St Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai and Holiday Inn, Bangalore and is well-known for her vision that development should be made without altering the cultural and historic environment. She is a member of the Committee of Environmental Impact Assessment of New Construction Projects & New Industrial Estates for Ministry of Environment & Forests’ Government of India and also the editorial board of MARG Architectural Books.
Somaya has completed her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Mumbai University and her Master of Arts from Smith College in Northampton, United States. Some of her popular works are:-
1. Tata Consultancy Services in Indore
2. The Kensington Club in Nasik
3.) Raj Rewal
Raj Rewal is one of the most rewarded architectural designer and urban design consultants in India. He has received a Gold Medal by the Indian Institute of Architects, Robert Mathew Award by the Commonwealth Association of Architects, Architect of the Year Award by J.K. Trust for the design of World Bank Resident Mission building in New Delhi, and, Lifetime achievement award by the Institution of Engineers (India). He is the designer of modern marvels like Nehru Pavilion, the Central Institute of Educational Technology, the World Bank building, the National Institute of Immunology, and the Asian Games Village, all located in New Delhi.
He has completed his graduation in architecture from New Delhi and then he attended the Brixton School of Building, London. Some of his best works are:-
1. Parliament Library Building in New Delhi
2. Indian National Science Academy in New Delhi
4.) B V Doshi
Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi is one of the most famous architects in India. He is a Padma Shri, has received an Honorary doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, France’s highest honor for arts the ‘Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters’, and an Aga Khan Award for Architecture. He is an alumnus of J. J. School of Architecture, Mumbai and is considered as one of the most important personalities in the South Asian architecture.
Some of his best works are:-
1. IIM Banglore
2. NIFT Delhi
5.) Charles Mark Correa
He was one of the first master architect and urban planner of independent India. He was awarded the Padma Shri and the second highest civilian honor given by Government of India, the Padma Vibhushan. His first famous project was Mahatma Gandhi Sangrahalaya at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
Correa started his higher studies at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai and later on went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Some of his best works are:-
1. Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur
2. Parumala Church in Kerala
6.) Sameep Padora
Sameep Padora is the principal of the design studio sP+a in Mumbai. His distinguished work has received numerous awards including The Architectural Review’s Emerging Architecture Award in London, the MARMOMACC International Award Architecture in Stone in Verona. Recently he has collaborated for the ‘Uneven Growth’ Tactical Urbanisms exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
He has received his diploma in architecture from Academy of Architecture and completed his Masters from the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University in 2005. Some of his best works are:-
1. Celebrate India in Goa
2. Craft Deli in Mumbai
7.) Rahul Mehrotra
Rahul Mehrotra is the founder of RMA Architects. He is also an Urban Design and Planning Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. He is known for his works like Hathi gaon (Jaipur, Rajasthan), KMC Corporate Office (Hyderabad), Visitor Centre at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Mumbai) and many more.
Rahul Mehrotra did his graduation from School of Architecture, Ahmedabad and Master’s Degree in Urban Design from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard. Some of his best works are:-
1. Tata Institute of Social Sciences Rural Campus in Tuljapur
2. Visitor Center at CSMVS in Mumbai
8.) Rajiv Saini
Rajiv Saini is a self-taught architect and designer and has been catering to the Elite Clientele. His work looks modern but is deeply rooted in the Indian culture. He has worked on several high-end homes located at places like Thailand, Dubai, the U.S, and Europe.
Some of his best works are:-
1. House in the Himalayas in Kasauli
2. Devigarh Palace in Udaipur
9.) Sanjeev Panjabi and Sangeeta Merchant
This architect duo comes together to form a company called SPASM Design Architects, is considered one of the best in India. They started their work from interior refurbishments and interventions and from 2000 onwards, they took architectural projects such as single-family homes, luxury villas, and commercial offices.
Both of them are graduated from the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai. Some of their best works are:-
1. AON Insurance Headquarter
2. Twin Houses in Alibag
10.) Kapil Gupta and Christopher Lee
Kapil Gupta and Christopher Lee are the founders of Serie Architects and Principal of Serie Mumbai. They are currently working on the revitalization of four disused factory buildings in China alongside 440-units of Middle Income Housing in Ruzinov.
Kapil has graduated from Sir JJ School of Architecture, Mumbai and did his post-graduate studies at the Architectural Association School of Architecture London. Lee did his graduation in AA Diploma (Honors) from the AA and his Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture and Urbanism from the Berlage Institute. Some of their best works are:-
1. The Tote in Mumbai
2. Aarvli Resort in Goa
We are sure that our article boosted your knowledge about Indian architects and their work. These people have managed to get this fame through hard work and dedication and are responsible for the planning of modern India. So’ if you ever get astonished while looking at an architectural masterpiece, remember it was originated from the mind of an architect.
