India has become one of the top countries in the world where every field is thriving, including architecture. The architects of India are shaping the structure of our nation vehemently. Also, the demand for architects has been increasing substantially because of the expansion of the construction industry and government schemes and initiatives. In addition to this, they are also in demand because of urbanisation and the requirement for buildings that are sustainable and fuel-efficient. Hence, in this blog, we have discussed in detail the top 20 architects in India and how they are improving the infrastructure of India.

Chitra Vishwanath

She is an Indian architect who has provided her expertise on different projects in various sectors like industrial, residential, institutional and more. Her projects are structured around the principles of ecology, energy, integration of sound water and usage of land. She leads the organisation called BIOME Environment Solutions, where the projects are adhered to through the amalgamation of elements of sustainability and client requirements. Her philosophy of architecture is the crossover between ecology and architecture. She practices through the combination of different imprints and textures, in order to arrive at designs that are in tune with nature. Some of her renowned projects include the Buddhi School and Swastika Dance School in Bangalore, Govardhan Eco Village in Wada and Oland Estate in Kulakumbai. In addition to this, some of the other projects include Yellow Train, Ekalavya, Hornbill House and Spastic Society of Karnataka.

Brinda Somaya

Brinda Somaya is an urban conservationist and a stellar architect where she holds a bachelor's degree in architecture from Sir J J College of Architecture in Mumbai. In 1978, she started her firm, named Somaya and Kalappa Consultants. Over the years, she has worked on a lot of projects, which is inclusive of facets like architecture, social equity and conservation. She perceives the notion that an architect is equal to a guardian, where consciousness of environmental and social in nature is included in various projects in order to craft an influential and commanding impact. Some of her projects include the TCS House, which is in Mumbai, the Goa Institute of Management, which is based in Goa, and the Nalanda International School of Vadodara

Abha Narain Lambah

She is a popular architect who lays emphasis on Indian conservation and has worked on the restoration of different architectural marvels like Golconda Fort, Ajanta Caves, Mahabodhi Temple and more. She has gained knowledge in architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture. Her design principles are all about buildings that are in tune with sustainability through the community’s urban surroundings. She has put her hands in different projects like Viceregal Lodge, Gulestan Bungalow, HSBC Bank and more. She does not conform to the traditional styles of architecture but is known for her designs that are sculptural and innovative. Her practice is known to push extremes of function and form and thereby delivering structures that are exceptional and inspiring. Because of this, she has also won a lot of awards.

Manit Rastogi

He is the founder of Morphogenesis, who is passionate about nature and also fabric that is sustainable. According to him, design is a force which combines internal and external influences in order to convey a method which is in tune with the client’s requirements. Most of his work is motivated by the component of sustainability, where he believes in crafting spaces that minimise the expenditure of resources and energy. His design method is inclusive of strategies that are passive. Some of his famous projects include Chettinad Health City Auditorium, Harley Davidson Corporate Office and the Woodside. He has also exclusively lectured at Brown University, GRIHA Summits and more.

Snehanshu Mukherjee

He has more than 38 years of experience in the department of design and architecture, where he is presently imparting knowledge as a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Art and Design. Some of his popular projects include Apeejay School, Osho Dham, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and more. He has also co-authored a book called ‘Renewing Design with Communities: Another Way of Building’. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from SPA and a post-graduation in Design and Housing from MIT, USA.

Rahul Mehrotra

He is the leading person of RMA Architects, which is an architecture firm that is in Boston and Mumbai. He has graduated from Harvard Graduate School of Design and CEPT University. Presently, he is an educator, urbanist, and architect who crafts architectural designs that represent the concept of urban activism. He deduces the principle of intuitive designing and brainstorming with various geometries in order to arrive at creative solutions. Some of his projects include Three Court House, Deepasikha, the House at Clifton, Hathigaon, KMC Corporate Office and Taj Mahal Visitor Centre. He is also the initiator of the Kala Ghoda Rejuvenation Movement and a member of the Institute for Human Settlement.

Hafeez Contractor

In the year 2016, he was rewarded with the reputable Padma Bhushan, where he has designed various skyscrapers in India, especially in Mumbai. His company is all about amalgamating designs that are unique and bold. He received his degree in architecture in 1975 from the Academy of Architecture. He believes in the concept that there should be no signature style; rather, he believes in crafting spaces which are derived from the present scenario, being in tune with people, and necessitating honesty. His stellar projects include the 23 Marina in Dubai, the Lokhandwala Minerva in Mumbai and the 42 Kolkata. He has also designed India’s three tallest towers.

Bimal Patel

He is an architect from Gujarat who holds 35 years of experience in the area of teaching, research, and professional practice, and it is in the department of urban design, architecture and urban planning. In 2019, he was presented with the Padma Bhushan award for his endowment in the field of planning and architecture. His ideation is all about crafting functional and liveable spaces in the public domain. His aim is to amplify the present conditions and pave the way for systemic growth. He has worked on different projects like the Gujarat High Court, which is in Ahmedabad, the Aga Khan Academy, which is in Hyderabad and the Tata CGPL Township, which is based in Mundra. He is the president of CEPT.

Sheila Sri Prakash

She was the first woman in India who began her architectural practice, and it was called Shilpa Architects. Presently, she is working as an urban designer and architect who perceives in progressive design solutions that enable the crafting of a responsive ecosystem. She supports the perspective of fusing architecture with culture, social impact, preservation, holistic planning, human psychology, and conservation, in order to lay out an urban environment that is functional and is in tune with the needs and requirements of the clients. Her projects are inclusive of the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Mahindra World City, and the Bhagoam Crematorium. In the world, she is renowned as one of the most powerful female architects, having practised on more than 12000 projects.

Sanjay Puri

He is the founder of Sanjay Puri Architects, where he aims to craft innovative, unique, and contemporary architectural designs. In 1988, he graduated from the Rachana Sansad Academy in Architecture, where he joined hands with another famous architect called Hafeez Contractor. His design philosophy is about conveying spaces that are socially interactive so that people are engaged in a practical way. He backs up the combination of uniqueness, experimentation, and novelty so that pioneering designs can be expressed vehemently. Some of his projects include the Rajasthan School, the Courtyard Office, and the Aria Hotel, which is situated in Nashik.

B.V. Doshi

He is one of the most esteemed architects in India, where he has worked for popular architects like Louis Kahn and Le Corbusier. He has taken influence from various Indian monuments that are historic and also the works of European and Indian architectural designers. He was laurelled with the Pritzker Prize in 2018 and was the first Indian to receive it. He perceives in the notion that when it comes to architecture, it is an addition to the human body. The functions of architecture are addressed through elements that are harmonising, spaces that overlap and material palettes. His works include The Institute of Indology, which is situated in Ahmedabad, the Indian Institute of Management, which is located in Bangalore, and the Premabhai Hall, which stands in Ahmedabad.

Laurie Baker

He is known as the Gandhi of Architecture, and he is one of the most renowned people in his field. He is a stalwart architect who is well known for his distinct style of amalgamating regional practices and low-cost materials, in order to construct organic buildings which fuse effortlessly in the surroundings. He has put his knowledge into practice to help not only middle-class people but also lower-class families, where he has crafted admirable structures through the conventional raw materials. He has been rewarded with the UN Roll of Honour, Padma Shri, MBE and more. Some of his popular works include World Leprosy Mission, Indian Coffee House, Literacy Village, CDS and more.

Charles Correa

He is one of the most popular architects in urban India. He is well-known for initiating architectural wonders that are post-modern and modern to the Indian landscape, that is, post-independent. His work ranges from not only high-rise buildings but also low-cost housing. He has been awarded with Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Shri. Some of his works include Kala Academy, British Council, Mahatma Gandhi Sangrahalaya, and Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

Shimul Javeri Kadri

She is also one of the most prominent architects in India, who has received many awards and accolades, like the prestigious Prix Versailles. She is in tune with the school of design and architecture, which is parallel with the euphony of nature. She has ideated different buildings and spaces, which is inclusive of museums, hotels, bungalows and institutions. Some of her popular projects include Dasavatara Hotel, Nirvana Films and Synergy Lifestyle factory.

Piloo Mody

He is a renowned architect in India, but he was also extensively known for his political career, where he was one of the initiators of the Swatantra Party. He was also a regular in not only the Lok Sabha but also the Rajya Sabha until his demise in 1983. His prominent projects include Olympus, Bharat Bijlee HQ, Mukand Iron and Steel Office, and Engineering Construction Corporation. He was born in a Parsi family where he completed his Bachelor of Architecture from Mumbai and a Master’s in the same field from the University of California, USA. He and his wife started the ‘Mody and Colgan’ architectural practice, where they constructed various complexes and buildings in the 50s and 60s.

Hasmukh Patel

Hasmukh Patel was one of the prominent figures of the post-independent architecture, in addition to other people like Anant Raje, Charles Correa, and Achyut Kanvinde. His projects became a sign of the growth of India as a nation that is heading towards ambition. Also, he was one of the important people for the expansion of CEPT. His major works include Patang Hotel, Reserve Bank of India, which is based in Hyderabad and Usha Theatre, which is situated in Rajkot.

Raj Rewal

He is one of the most celebrated architects in India who has drafted different housing, public and institutional buildings. His unique style sets him apart from the rest because, for him, buildings were much more than a few bricks. He upgraded structures into contemporary narratives which reflected a vehement definition of culture, rhythm and geometry. Some of his preeminent works include asian games village, Parliament Library, NTPC Tower, Coal India Complex, and Hall of Nations. He studied not only in Delhi but also in London, where he worked under Michel Ecochard in Paris, and then he started his practice in Delhi. He has received many awards and accolades, like the Robert Mathew Award and a Gold Medal from the Indian Institute of Architects.

Bijoy Jain

Bijoy Jain is a reputed architect in India who has received a lot of international recognition because of his extraordinary projects. At Yale University, he is a visiting architecture professor. His practice is called Studio Mumbai, which is popular for its unique and aesthetic designs and concepts. Some of his acclaimed works include Bamboo MP Pavilion, Utsav House and Tara House, which is situated in Mumbai. His philosophy in architecture is all about retaining the quality of raw materials without causing any harm to the environment, residents or the materials. He uses traditional techniques and local materials in his work, which reflects his stellar practices that are sustainable and also his excellent craftsmanship.

Achyut Kavinde

He is an Indian architect who is an incomparable aesthete. He is renowned for his stellar approaches and functionalist elements. He sets himself apart from the rest because of his affection for blending forms and spaces. He believes vehemently in the Vastu Shastra. He has received the much-coveted Padma Shri. Some of his remarkable works include the IIT Kanpur, the ISKCON Temple, which is based in New Delhi, PK Kelkar Library, which is situated in IIT Kanpur. He has also worked through functionalist approaches, where there are elements of architecture that are brutalist. He has also won the ‘Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal.

Anant Raje

Anant Raje is also another exalted Indian designer and architect. He was a student of Louis Khan, whose projects mirror vernacular styles. He was also an advocate of traditional elements and modern fusion. Some of his lionised works include the Museum of Minerals, the Indian Statistical Institute, the Indian Institute of Forest Management, and MICA, which is based in Ahmedabad. He has also taught at the University of Pennsylvania. For more than 30 years, he has been a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Management, which is based in Ahmedabad. Other than that, he has been a visiting professor at many universities across Europe and America.

Rajiv Saini

He is a self-taught architect who is known for his modern and classy designs, which are embedded in desi and traditional culture. Some of his famous projects include Devigarh Palace, Carma Fashion Store and Kasauli House, which is situated in the Himalayas. He has started Rajiv Saini and Associates, where his design career began in 1995. His studio is renowned for amalgamating craftsmanship with modern design, where the focal point is on hospitality and residential projects.

Kapil Gupta and Christopher Lee

They are an incredible design duo who are dynamic and whose architecture projects are sustainable and contemporary. When it comes to their creative approach, it is seamless, which amalgamates both environmentally friendly techniques and modern aesthetics. Because of this, structures are crafted that are sustainable and visually appealing. Some of his major works include Oasis terraces and The Tote.

Hence, the above 22 architects are the best in India, and their stories are inspirational to everyone. They have shaped the structure of Indian buildings in an intricate manner and have developed the nation as a whole. They have also motivated many other up-and-coming architects of urban India.