In the past fifty years, India has experienced a significant transformation in its built environment due to rapid urbanisation and globalisation, and the country is experiencing rapid economic growth. This has led to new architectural styles and trends that reflect the changing needs and aspirations of Indian society.
A few prominent architects in India during the past few decades include Balkrishna Doshi, who was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2018 for his contributions to architecture in India, Raj Rewal, who designed the Hall of Nations in Delhi, and Balkrishna Doshi, who is known for his sustainable and community-oriented designs.
In addition to these architects, many other notable architects and firms have contributed to India’s architecture over the past fifty years, including Hafeez Contractor, Christopher Benninger, and Abha Narain Lambah.
Charles Correa was a renowned architect who contributed extensively to post-independence architecture in India. He was actively involved in shaping the architecture of modern India. Correa was extensively responsible for designing numerous iconic buildings in India. A few examples of Correa’s works are the Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, the British Council Building in Delhi, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Museum in Ahmedabad and the Kanchenjunga Apartments in Mumbai.
Balkrishna Doshi is known for his focus on sustainability, an upcoming trend in India’s field of architecture and design. He also included the use of low-cost materials. B. V. Doshi was another mastermind in the world of architecture. His contributions to architecture, art, life, culture, and philosophy will never die out and have made an impact on everyone. He began his career as an assistant to renowned architects Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn.B.V. Doshi made our country and the field of architecture proud by winning the Pritzker Prize in 2018 and RIBA’s Royal Gold Medal in 2021. He is known prominently for his modernist designs and the use of local materials and traditional Indian architectural features. Some of his remarkable designs include the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, the Amdavad ni Gufa in Ahmedabad, the Aranya Low-Cost Housing in Indore, Sangath Architect’s Studio in Ahmedabad, and the Institute of Indology in Ahmedabad.
Raj Rewal is a prominent Indian Architect known for blending vernacular and modern architecture in his works. Raj Rewal’s pictured designs of unique forms and geometrical structures in them. He is well known for his innovative designs and use of traditional Indian architectural features in his projects. Rasa in Architecture was his prime philosophy, and he also believed in sustainability. A few of his prominent designs include the Hall of Nations in Delhi, the Parliament Library in Delhi, and CIDCO housing in Navi Mumbai.
Hafeez Contractor has designed numerous iconic skyscrapers all over the world. Most of his works in India are in Mumbai, such as the Two ICC and Lokhandwala Minerva. The 42, located in Kolkata, is also a beautiful skyscraper designed by Architect Hafeez and his team. Aside from designing skyscrapers, Hafeez grabbed the people’s attention with the extraordinary cricket stadium designs, railway stations, educational institutions, hotels, hostel blocks and airport terminals with a modernistic twist.
Professor Christopher Benninger is one of India’s highly acknowledged Architects, having won the Indian Institute of Architects’ Annual Award for Excellence six times, more than any other architect. Benninger is known for his modernist designs incorporating traditional Indian architectural features. They have always approved projects involving studying, analysing and assessing ideas and concepts related to architecture, urbanism and human settlements. The studio has designed new towns and large housing projects for urban development authorities. His most recognised, award-winning projects are Mahindra United World College of India; The Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies near Mumbai; The “Suzlon One Earth” World Headquarters in Pune, India; The National Ceremonial Plaza and the Supreme Court at Thimphu, Bhutan; The Indian Institute of Management in Kolkata and his own studio and residence “India House” in Pune.
Abha Narain Lambah focuses on Architectural Conservation, Building Restoration & refurbishments, Museum Design, Historic Interiors, and Urban and Regional Level Conservation Preparation. Some of their designs include Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai, Nehru Memorial Library & Museum, Teen Murthi House, New Delhi, Chowmahalla Palace Museum, Hyderabad, and Bharatpur State Museum, Rajasthan. They have won 9 UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards for heritage conservation and were awarded the architect of the year in 2017.
These architects and many others have made significant contributions to India’s architectural landscape, and their designs continue to inspire and influence the next generation of architects.
Over the last fifty years, Indian architecture has been distinguished by a blend of traditional and modern elements, emphasising sustainability, functionality, and cultural identity. It has also been distinguished by the Contributions of many talented architects and designers who have helped shape modern India’s built environment. India’s architecture has changed over the past few decades and will continue to change with the mindful architects’ journey and creativity to keep in mind the future and the health of our nature.
References:
- Restoration of the Chowmahalla Palace Complex RMA architects (no date) Indian. Available at: https://www.indian-architects.com/pt/projects/view/restoration-of-the-chowmahalla-palace-complex (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
- -, S. et al. (2019) ‘the 42’ in Kolkata is India’s tallest building, touching the sky at 268 meters, MetroSaga. Available at: https://metrosaga.com/the-42-in-kolkata/ (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
- Hackemann, J. (no date) Jodhpur the “Blue City” in Rajasthan state in India. view from the Mehrangarh Fort., 123RF. Available at: https://www.123rf.com/photo_16349671_jodhpur-the-blue-city-in-rajasthan-state-in-india-view-from-the-mehrangarh-fort.html (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
- Chronicles, A.P.byI. (2015) The most delicious carrot cake in Delhi at Caara Cafe, British Council delhi, India Chronicles. Available at: https://indiachronicles.com/2206-the-most-delicious-carrot-cake-in-delhi-at-caara-cafe-british-council-delhi.html (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
- Amdavad ni Gufa VSC Vāstu Shilpā consultants (no date) World. Available at: https://www.world-architects.com/en/vsc-vastu-shilpa-consultants-ahmedabad/project/amdavad-ni-gufa (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
- Vandini Mehta & Rohit Raj Vandini Mehta is an architect and urban researcher with a master’s degree from University of California (2020) Mahendra Raj, the Hall of Nations, New Delhi, india,1972, Transfer. Available at: http://www.transfer-arch.com/materiality/mahendra-raj/ (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
- User, S. (no date) Suzlon one Earth, Pune, MGS Architecture. Available at: https://www.mgsarchitecture.in/architecture-design/projects/460-suzlon-one-earth-pune.html (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
- Museum & Gallery Design (no date) ANL. Available at: https://www.anlassociates.com/musems/ (Accessed: April 2, 2023).
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- (no date) CCBA designs. Available at: https://ccba.in/about/ (Accessed: April 2, 2023).
- Projects by Christopher Charles Benninger architects (no date) Archello. Available at: https://archello.com/brand/christopher-charles-benninger-architects/projects (Accessed: April 2, 2023).
- Award winning, Indias largest and one of the top architectural design consultancy (no date) Architect Hafeez Contractor. Available at: https://www.hafeezcontractor.com/ (Accessed: April 2, 2023).
- Shah, D. (2023) 9 iconic buildings designed by celebrated architect BV Doshi, Architectural Digest India. Architectural Digest India. Available at: https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/photos-9-iconic-buildings-designed-by-architect-bv-doshi/ (Accessed: April 3, 2023).
