10 Awe-Inspiring Architects in India you should look out for

Overview:

The article highlights 10 influential architects who are shaping India's architectural future. It features established names like B.V. Doshi (the first Indian Pritzker Prize winner), Brinda Somaya (known for conservation work), and Hafeez Contractor (Padma Bhushan awardee). Each architect brings a unique perspective: Chitra Vishwanath focuses on ecological principles, Abha Narain Lambah specializes in conservation, and Sheila Sri Prakash was India's first woman to start an architectural practice. The architects are recognized for their distinctive approaches, from sustainable design to urban conservation, with notable projects including educational institutions, corporate offices, and cultural centers across India and internationally.

Table of contents

• 10 Inspiring Architects that are defining the future of Architecture in India
• Learning From The Top Indian Architects

 

The practice of putting together innovative and well-designed spatial structures is growing at a considerable pace. India is also embracing this aspect of growth within the architecture and design fraternity.

The field is blessed with some great minds that have broken down the constraints of the profession and curated design marvels. Here are 10 Noteworthy Architects in India that you should look out for.

10 Inspiring Architects that are defining the future of Architecture in India

 

1.Brinda Somaya

Besides being a compelling architect, Brinda Somaya is an urban conservationist. She pursued a Bachelor of Architecture from the prestigious Sir J.J. College of Architecture based in Mumbai.

She went on to start her firm named Somaya and Kalappa Consultants in Mumbai in 1978. Ever since then, she has worked on a wide array of projects that inculcate the aspects of conservation, architecture, and social equity at the core.

Brinda Somaya believes that the role of an architect is that of a guardian. She inculcates social and environmental consciousness in her projects to create a powerful and impactful outcome.

Her projects include the Goa Institute of Management in Goa, the TCS House in Mumbai, and the Nalanda International School in Vadodara among many others.

2. Chitra Vishwanath

Chitra Vishwanath is an Indian architect who has worked on plenty of projects in niches such as residential, industrial, institutional, and much more. These projects are guided by the aspects of ecological principles, sound water integration, energy, and land use.

She heads the architectural firm called Chitra K. Vishwanath Architects which caters to project requirements by bringing together the elements of client interaction and sustainability.

Chitra Vishwanath’s philosophy is deeply rooted in the intersection of architecture and ecology. She works on amalgamating various textures and imprints to come up with designs that resonate well with nature.

Some of her projects are the Swastika Dance School in Bengaluru, the Buddhi School in Bengaluru, the Oland Estate in Kulakumbai, and the Govardhan Eco Village in Wada.

3.Manit Rastogi

The founding partner of the architectural firm Morphogenesis, Manit Rastogi is an Indian architect who is fond of nature and sustainable built fabric.

He perceives design as the force that amalgamates external and internal influences to articulate a methodology that resonates with the client’s needs.

His work style is majorly inspired by the element of sustainability and he believes in curating spaces that reduce the consumption of energy and resources. He is committed to the incorporation of passive strategies in his design methodologies.

Harley Davidson Corporate Office in Gurugram, Chettinad Health City Auditorium in Chennai, and the Woodside in Kasauli are some of his popular projects.

4.Abha Narain Lambah

A famous Indian conservation architect, Abha Narain Lambah has worked on the restoration of various architectural wonders such as the Ajanta Caves, Golconda Fort, Mahabodhi Temple, and much more.

She pursued architecture at the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi. Her perception of design strongly supports the need for a building to respond sustainably to its local urban surroundings.

Abha Narain Lambah has worked on various projects such as Gulestan Bungalow in Matheran, Viceregal Lodge in Shimla, and HSBC Bank in Mumbai.

5.Rahul Mehrotra

Rahul Mehrotra is the man behind the architecture firm RMA Architects based in Mumbai and Boston. He graduated from CEPT University and Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Currently, he is an urbanist, educator, and architect engaged in curating architectural designs that cater to the principles of urban activism. Rahul Mehrotra believes in the concept of intuitive designing and playing with multiple geometries to come up with creative solutions.

His projects include the Three Court House in Alibaug, House at Clifton in Karachi, and the Deepasikha in Chennai among many others.

6. Snehanshu Mukherjee

With an experience of over 38 years in the field of architecture and design, Snehanshu Mukherjee is currently working as a faculty at the Indian Institute of Art and Design.

He graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. After that, he went on to do a post-graduation as an Inlaks Scholar from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

Some of his exemplary projects include the Osho Dham, the Osho Commune in Delhi, Laxmi Mittal School of Management Studies: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and Apeejay School, Bhubaneswar.

7. Hafeez Contractor

Hafeez Contractor is an Indian architect who was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan in the year 2016. He has designed a myriad of skyscrapers in India, majorly in Mumbai.

His firm takes pride in putting forward designs that fuse bold execution and unique concepts. The contractor got his architecture degree from the Academy of Architecture in 1975.

Hafeez Contractor believes in the essence of having no signature style. Instead, he supports the idea of making spaces that are based on the current scenario, resonates with the people, and entail honesty.

The Lokhandwala Minerva in Mumbai, the 23 Marina in Dubai, and the 42 in Kolkata are some of his stunning projects.

8. Bimal Patel

Bimal Patel is an Indian architect who hails from Gujarat. He has an experience of over 35 years in the facets of research, teaching, and professional practice in the fields of architecture, urban design, and urban planning.

He received the esteemed Padma Bhushan award in 2019 for his contribution to the field of Architecture and Planning. He supports the idea of creating liveable and functional spaces for the public domain. This is owing to his intent of enhancing the current conditions and making way for systematic growth.

Bimal Patel has worked on various projects such as the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad, the Gujarat High Court in Ahmedabad, and the Tata CGPL Township in Mundra.

9. Sheila Sri Prakash

Sheila Sri Prakash is acclaimed as the first Indian woman to have started her architectural practice which is known as Shilpa Architects.

Currently, she is practising as an architect and urban designer who believes in evolving design solutions that facilitate the creation of a responsive ecosystem.

Sheila Sri Prakash is invested in the notion of combining architecture with the facets of social impact, cultural aspects, human psychology, preservation, conservation, and holistic planning to put forward a functional urban environment.

Her projects include the Mahindra World City in New Chennai, the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Chennai, and the Bhagoam Crematorium in Mirzapur.

10. B.V. Doshi

B.V. Doshi is among the most respected architects in India. He worked under famous architects such as Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn.

He takes inspiration from a myriad of historic Indian monuments, and works of Indian and European architectural designers. In 2018, he became the first Indian Architect to be awarded the Pritzker Prize.

B.V. Doshi believes that architecture is an extension of the human body. He supports the addressal of function through overlapping spaces, harmonising elements, and material palettes.

The Institute of Indology in Ahmedabad, the Premabhai Hall in Ahmedabad, and the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore are some of his exemplary works.

11. Sanjay Puri

Sanjay Puri is the owner of the architectural firm, Sanjay Puri Architects which intends to curate unique, innovative, and relevant architectural designs for society.

After completing his graduation from Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture in 1988, Puri started working with another popular Indian Architect, Hafeez Contractor.

His design philosophy pirouettes around articulating socially interactive spaces to engage people pragmatically. He supports the amalgamation of experimentation, uniqueness, and novelty to articulate avant-garde design outcomes.

Sanjay Puri’s famous projects include the Courtyard Office in Raipur, the Rajasthan School in Ras, and the Aria Hotel in Nashik.

Learning From The Top Indian Architects

Through the notion of creating well-designed spaces as per the site’s context, these esteemed architects are bringing a paradigm shift in the industry. Therefore, if you are looking out for a creative direction or even some fresh inspiration, the wide array of works by these architects will prove to be of great assistance.

Explore More About Architecture

- Did you find this piece insightful? Author Saili Sawant has also written about many more subjects in architecture such as top 10 interior design trends in 2025 and scope of interior architecture and design course in India.

- Take a journey through the evolution of Indian architecture—explore how design has shaped culture and history over the centuries!

- Looking for a career beyond traditional architecture? Read about these 9 exciting career paths that are refefining creativity and innovation in design!