On the occasion of World Teachers Day 2024, this feature emphasizes a spotlight on Indian architects and their contributions. To amplify the extra efforts apart from the design practice of them, this World Teachers Day is the ‘TIME.” In India, architecture education combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing students to manage a built environment. To elevate practical skills, some of the schools strategize pedagogy methods with the involvement of practicing architects. Those architects play a game-changing role as visiting faculties or deliver lectures.
Here are 15 Indian architects to highlight on World Teachers Day (5 Oct 2024). The following list includes contemporary Indian architects who are making positive differences in design practice, academics, and research.
An architect, academician, and thinker, he began his journey as a design educator at CEPT, Ahmedabad, in the early 1980s. Over the next three decades, until 2013, he led the Department of Architecture at CEPT. He also serves as an advisor to numerous institutions across the country. He is a prominent figure in national and international design forums, making valuable contributions to the field.
The principal architect at Mindspace Architects has been contributing to the field of architecture in various positions for 40 years. He has given lectures in various architectural schools across the country, such as the Avani Institute of Design. He has also been helping the architecture community, especially students, by shaping their skills through international architecture platforms.
As a principal architect at Mozaic in Goa, he has significantly contributed to architecture not only through his practice but also by conducting numerous workshops and seminars on architecture, urban planning, and environmental issues, both in India and abroad. Over the past 30 years, he has also served as a visiting faculty member at various colleges, sharing his expertise with the next generation of architects.
With 31 years of academic and professional experience as the principal architect at Artes, he plays a pivotal role in shaping architectural education and practice. He serves on the Board of Studies at Anna University and is a distinguished member of the jury for The Drawing Board platform.
After graduating from Harvard University’s GSD program, Sameep established his practice in Mumbai in 2007. Furthermore, his studio operates a non-profit organization called sPare, which focuses on housing concerns in India. Sameep contributes a wealth of practical expertise as well as a keen interest in investigating the potential of emerging technologies in the field of architecture. He aims to raise academic standards at the Faculty and, eventually, the caliber of student work in his role as the dean of the Faculty of Architecture.
As an architect, urbanist, and educator, he serves as the founder and principal of RMA Architects in Mumbai. He is also a professor of Urban Design and Planning in the Department of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. Mehrotra has extensively written and lectured on topics related to architecture, conservation, and urban planning, focusing particularly on issues relevant to Mumbai and India.
Yatin Pandya is an accomplished author, activist, academic, researcher, and practicing architect in India, leading his firm, FOOTPRINTS E.A.R.T.H. In addition to his architectural practice, Yatin has held visiting faculty positions at the National Institute of Design and CEPT University in Ahmedabad. He has also contributed as a guest lecturer and critic at various universities in India and abroad.
Parul Zaveri serves as a partner at Abhikram, a consultancy firm in Ahmedabad specializing in planning, architecture, conservation, and interior design. She is also a visiting faculty member at NID and CEPT, where she extensively lectures on topics related to adaptive reuse and contemporary contexts, both nationally and internationally.
The principal architect at Anupama Kundoor Architects has dedicated over 30 years to the field. She was a visiting professor at Yale University in the Spring of 2020 and currently is a professor at the Potsdam School of Architecture in Germany. Additionally, she has taught Architecture and Urban Management at various international universities, enhancing her expertise in addressing challenges related to rapid urbanization and climate change.
An architect and urban designer based in Bangalore founded his firm, Hundred Hands, in 2003. He currently holds the position of Design Chair in the Department of Architecture at BMS College of Architecture in Bangalore. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Reviewers for SEED in Kochi and the Board of Studies for the Balwant Sheth School of Architecture in Mumbai.
The Founder Chairman of Avani Institute of Design, a Calicut-based Center of Excellence in Architecture and Design Education that promotes a holistic approach to design education to develop well-rounded professionals with the sensitivity, empathy, and social, and technical skill sets required to address our environment’s ever-changing concerns.
A graduate of SPA Delhi, contributes back to the same and built environment. Alongside his practice, AKDA, Amit has been a visiting professor at SPA, Delhi for more than 15 years. At his alma mater, Amit teaches with an array of activities design, research, and theoretical investigation. At the School and the Studio, Amit Khanna uses research as an avenue for design innovation through his educational projects. He writes regularly for online and offline media and is a well-known and published photographer.
Founding director and a principal at ZED Lab, a research-driven architecture and interior design studio based in Delhi, India that specializes in net-zero buildings. He believes in designing remarkable architecture that can simultaneously enhance human experience and minimize resource consumption. As a visiting faculty at SPA Delhi, he also contributes to the field of academics and research for more than 10 years.
A practicing Architect and Valuer currently based in Bhopal. Having a strong inclination and flair for academia, he has been a prominent member of the Board of Governors of several prestigious institutes including SPA Vijayawada. Over 37 years of professional experience in housing projects and urban schemes, he has contributed to various large-scale projects in Madhya Pradesh.
Founding partner of The Madras Office for Architects and Designers. With 20 years of experience in critically understanding city, architecture, and placemaking, His work focuses on design as an innovative response to context. Furthermore, He is a visiting faculty and juror at several architectural schools across India. He participated as a panelist in the Kurla Varkey Design Forum 2016 at the CEPT, Ahmedabad. Mahesh has an active interest in the role of design in society. He is a CAF trustee and UDC Associate, promoting architecture and sustainable urban practices through advocacy, and research.
These are only 15 names, but there are many more who are contributing in small but significant ways to Indian architecture education. World Teachers Day for architects strikes them with thoughts, ideas, and new pedagogies to uplift the standard and quality of student work. These working architects will be crucial in helping students develop their design and critical thinking skills in addition to producing quantity works.
World Teachers Day, Architects!
Content Writing And Research By: Ar. Baarat Krishna
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