4 important Indian architects to know

His most significant work, the Aranya Low-Cost Housing in Indore, encapsulates his beliefs. This housing project provided shelter for thousands of low-income families while prioritising community, open spaces, and energy-efficient design. 

The Tagore Memorial Hall, constructed in Ahmedabad, was designed with Le Corbusier’s influence. Its austere facade showcases features like folded concrete walls producing intricate patterns of light and shadow on the north and south sides. In contrast, the east and west facades sport a minimalist, gridded appearance.

Affectionately referred to as The City of Gardens, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Bangalore spans 60 hectares. With construction spanning two decades, the campus boasts an architectural design that artfully blends traditional Indian city elements to provide climate-sensitive shelter.

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Often referred to as the Father of Modern Architecture in India, Charles Correa (1930-2015) was one of the pioneers of modern architecture in post-independence and one of the few who addressed issues related to low-income housing. 

Almost all of Correa’s embody his deftness at using the principles of vernacular culture and architecture rooted deep in India and expressing it from a modern perspective. His architectural vision was also deeply rooted in responding to local climate, culture, and community needs.

One of his most important works, the Kanchanjunga Apartments in Mumbai, showcases this approach by fusing high-rise living with terraced gardens and sustainable design.

Another one is the Birtish Council Library in Delhi, which is an intricate composition of white Indian Makrana marble and black Kuddappa stone. This was completed with a large-scale mural by renowned artist Howard Hodgkin depicting the banyan tree.

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Known as the revolutionary architect of India, Raj Rewal is a distinguished Indian architect renowned for his innovative and context-sensitive designs. Born in 1934 in Punjab, Rewal’s prolific architectural journey has spanned over six decades and gifted India with some of the country’s most unique buildings. 

His work often draws from India’s rich cultural heritage. It combines with modern design principles to create spaces that resonate with the country’s diverse ethos, and his love for geometric and grid systems has made for expressive forms.

One of his iconic works is the Hall of Nations in Delhi, which, unfortunately, was demolished in 2017. Its Brutalist space drew inspiration from traditional Jaalis in India and was sculpted intuitively in a timeless form; its Brutalism added drama to the climactic scene in the Bollywood movie Trishul.

Another is his ingenious Parliament Library situated next to the Parliament House, which adapts to modern times while complementing the heritage of the British colonial period.  

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Sheila Sri Prakash is an eminent Indian architect who distinguished herself by being the first woman in the country to set up her own studio, Shilpa Architects, in 1979 despite the historic overwhelming dominance of men in India’s architecture profession.

Practising as an architect and urban designer, her design philosophy is rooted in evolving design solutions that facilitate the creation of a responsive ecosystem. A key charter member instrumental in establishing the Indian Green Building Council, the architect believes in combining architecture with social impact, cultural aspects, human psychology, preservation, conservation, and holistic planning to create a functional urban environment.

With over 1200 projects under her name, Shilpa Architects has handled a myriad of typologies, from reciprocal small-scaled housing for the socio-economically underprivileged to pioneering energy-efficient commercial, industrial, civic, residential and hospitality projects.

Her notable work includes the Shyam Bungalow in Jaipur, seamlessly blending contemporary aesthetics with traditional Indian architectural elements. Another is Silver Falls Resort, situated in Kodaikanal, a still-in-progress 4.9-acre resort designed to harmonise with the challenging terrain, blending English cottage-inspired architecture into the natural landscape.

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