INTRODUCTION
In the changing sceneries of India’s architectural language, a select group of architects have emerged as pioneers of design excellence. Their visionary creations have shaped post-independent India, seamlessly blending aesthetics with functionality by giving birth to a new design dialect that echoes the spirit of the nation.
Boasting a rich legacy of 25 years, their portfolios cover an array of projects, ranging from single dwellings to large-scale housing, monumental public and government projects, and institutional buildings. These firms are not only practitioners in the field but also active contributors to academia, enriching the Indian community with their written works and much-needed discourses.
Here are the ‘top 10 Architectural firms in India 2023’ and their unique narratives:
1. CCBA Designs
CCBA Designs is a multi-disciplinary design company headed by the celebrated Architect and Planner Prof. Christopher Benninger. Originally from the USA and with a formal education at Harvard and MIT, Benninger’s projects range from master planning of capital cities and new towns to housing developments and institutional campuses located both pan India and abroad. Based in Pune, the firm is renowned for its innovative and contextually sensitive creations.
Benninger has been practising in India since 1972. His firm has since created a great number of institutions around the world, harbouring the identity and symbolic relationship between the built environment and the social fabric. Their project Suzlon One Earth Global Corporate Headquarters, built in 2009, perfectly represents the design language the firm is celebrated for. Their most recent endeavour tackles a larger scale featuring the world’s tallest hostel at the Azim Premji University campus in Bengaluru.
The firm has won numerous prestigious accolades and is the only one in the country to have received six awards from the Indian Institute of Architects. Apart from practising, Prof. Benninger is also an academician and author of the beloved book ‘Letters to a Young Architect’a memoir of his life in India.
2. C. P. Kukreja Architects
CP Kukreja is a renowned architectural firm headquartered in New Delhi, India. Established in 1969 by the visionary architect C. P. Kukreja, the firm has left an indelible mark on the Indian urban landscape. With a diverse portfolio spanning residential, commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects, the firm has earned acclaim for its innovative designs and sustainable solutions.
The firm is now headed by his son, Dikshu Kukreja, who is the Managing Principal. He is a noted expert on urban and environmental issues and is the curator of the acclaimed talk show, ‘Tale of two Cities’, which aims to bring critical conversations around cities to the forefront of mainstream discourse for the general public.
Their most notable project includes the buildings for the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Campus, where the use of exposed bricks mitigates the division between Delhi’s built and natural environments. Their most recent project is the India International Convention & Expo Center coming up in New Delhi.
3. Hafeez Contractor
Hafeez Contractor, born in 1950, is a renowned Indian architect whose prolific career spans several decades. After graduating from the University of Mumbai’s Academy of Architecture, he founded his firm, “Hafeez Contractor,” in 1982. Widely acclaimed for shaping the skylines of Mumbai, Contractor has contributed significantly to India’s post-modern architectural identity. His portfolio encompasses diverse projects, from commercial complexes to residential towers, earning him accolades and awards.
One of his most notable projects includes the 88-storey Marina Towers in Dubai, which remains one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. Contractor’s firm is one of the largest in the country and the industry, with a team of over 500+ architects, planners, interior designers and civil engineers.
4. HCP
HCP Design, Planning & Management Pvt. Ltd. is an acclaimed architectural firm based in Ahmedabad, known for its innovative and sustainable designs. Founded by Hasmukh C. Patel in 1960, the firm is now led by his son, the visionary architect and planner Bimal Patel.
HCP’s portfolio includes iconic projects, such as the Sabarmati Riverfront Development in Ahmedabad and the New Building for the Parliament of India. He has also authored multiple books and excerpts and received the Padma Shri Award in 2019. HCP’s ethos revolves around creating spaces that seamlessly blend aesthetics with functionality, reflecting a harmonious coexistence with nature. The firm’s work reflects the legacy forged by Hasmukh C Patel in transforming India city by city.
5. Mindspace Architects
Mindspace Architects is a prominent design firm based in Bangalore, India. Founded by Sanjay Mohe, Vasuki Prakash and Suryanarayanan, the firm has carved a niche for itself in sustainable and contextual architecture. His firm excels in creating innovative spaces with a philosophy focusing on site-specific solutions, incorporating local culture and environmental sustainability.
The firm’s diverse portfolio spans residential, commercial, and institutional projects, garnering accolades for its forward-thinking designs. Their design continues to shape the architectural landscape with a commitment to timeless design and a holistic approach to built environments through notable projects such as Titan Integrity Campus in Bangalore and Mithila Housing in Pune. Alongside this, the architect actively participates in lectures and talks in design schools across the country.
6. Morphogenesis
Morphogenesis, a visionary architectural firm founded in 1996, transcends conventional design boundaries. With offices based across India, the firm is renowned for its avant-garde approach to sustainable and contextually responsive architecture. Led by Manit Rastogi and Sonali Rastogi, Morphogenesis seamlessly intertwines innovation with cultural sensitivity.
Their diverse portfolio spans commercial, residential, and institutional projects, reflecting a commitment to ecological responsibility. Notable works include the Pearl Academy in Jaipur and the most recent Surat Diamond Bourse. With numerous awards and a global footprint, Morphogenesis continues to shape the architectural landscape, harmonising form and function while redefining the essence of contemporary design.
7. Shilpa Architects
Shilpa Architects is an acclaimed architectural firm founded by Sheila Sri Prakash. Established in 1979, the firm is renowned for its innovative and sustainable designs across India and internationally. Sheila Prakash, the principal architect, has received numerous accolades for her ingenious approach to architecture. With a commitment to social responsibility, the firm integrates traditional elements with modern design, creating spaces that harmonise with their surroundings.
With a prominent presence in residential and commercial architecture, the firm has conceived projects such as Elysia and Bahai Temple among many others. Sheila Sri Prakash’s leadership has propelled the firm to prominence, emphasising a holistic design philosophy that resonates with cultural and environmental contexts, making Shilpa Architects a distinguished name in the community.
8. SJK Architects
Shimul Javeri Kadri, the visionary force behind SJK Architects (founded in 1990), epitomises innovation in architectural design. Kadri’s creations transcend the ordinary, leaving an enduring mark on the built environment. Her commitment to sustainable practices echoes in each project, ranging from residential, retail, hotels and resorts, museums and galleries, industrial and healthcare among others.
The firm’s diverse portfolio reflects the architect’s unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of conventional design through projects such as The Hotel at Bodhgaya and the Dasavatara Hotel in Tirupati. Recognised for her leadership in the architectural realm, Sheila Prakash continues to shape the future, seamlessly fusing form and function in a way that captivates and inspires.
9. Somaya & Kalappa Consultants
Brinda Somaya, a distinguished architect and conservationist, is renowned for her influential contributions to Indian architecture. As the co-founder of Somaya and Kalappa Consultants, her firm stands at the forefront of sustainable and culturally sensitive design. With a career spanning over four decades, Somaya’s work seamlessly blends modernity with historical preservation. Her projects ranging from educational institutions to cultural heritage sites, reflect a commitment to contextually responsive architecture. Somaya’s accolades include the Padma Shri, recognising her significant impact on the architectural landscape.
Through her firm, she continues to shape the future of Indian architecture with a deep respect for heritage and innovation through projects such as Tata Consultancy Services Campus in Indore and Goa Institute of Management. She is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Board of Governors for the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada and was a founder trustee for the HECAR Foundation in India in 1999.
10. Stapati
Tony Joseph, a visionary architect, is the driving force behind Stapati, a renowned architectural firm established in 1989. With a passion for blending tradition and innovation, Joseph has led Stapati to excel in creating timeless structures that resonate with cultural heritage. His commitment to sustainable design and meticulous attention to detail have earned Stapati accolades in the architectural world.
Joseph’s portfolio includes a diverse range of projects, from contemporary residences to heritage conservation initiatives. Under his leadership, Stapati continues to redefine architectural boundaries, seamlessly weaving modern aesthetics with cultural significance reflected in timeless projects such as Malabar Headquarters in Calicut and the serene Alila Diwa in Goa. Tony is the Founder and Chairman of Avani Institute of Design, a Center of Excellence in Architecture and Design education located in Calicut.
