Indian architecture has an ancient yet modern history, defined by architecture ranging from the Vedic times, Indus Valley Civilization to the different Hindu kingdoms that defined Hindu architecture which was both ethnic and dynamic, and which suited the unique climatology and culture of India.
The Indus Valley Civilization in retrospect had one of the first modern smart cities to be ever built in human history. Our ethnic architecture served the principles of sustainability, survival techniques for climate change, and adaptability to future trends of design changes. Our own temples and public architecture have been a unique exercise in city planning, architectural expression, and fractal geometry set in natural stone and other natural materials.
The invasions from various other cultures again contributed to the richness of Indian architecture. Both middle eastern and colonial architecture in India have left architectural legacies that have become wonders of the world. Post-Independence saw yet another tectonic shift of architectural styles that bloomed to define the contemporary skylines of our dynamic cities.
India is probably one of the very few countries that has had a rich collection of historic and contemporary architecture that no other country has. It is this phenomenal fountainhead of unique architectural treasure trove that Indian architects of today and the future generation can glean from and be inspired to create new gems of architecture that reflects the past and looks towards the future.
However, new challenges of today such as climate change, rising cost of energy, and the Covid pandemic have led to architects increasingly designing buildings that have to be energy efficient and sustainable. The opportunities that Indian architects have today is immense in terms of both international and national architectural practices thanks to globalization. The interface of new materials, engineering techniques and innovation is tremendous. The influx of technology transfer, digitization, artificial intelligence, and other innovation will be the main drivers of innovative design.
Globalization is good but it has created an identity crisis in Indian architecture that negates the very identity of being Indian. There is a mindset that creating cookie cutter contemporary buildings that resonates with “international architecture” keeps the competitive edge in the international arena, but this has robbed the cultural identity of what is essentially Indian.
Our own educational system is based on the western system, and we may want to introspect on our own architectural history that can give solutions to the future. Celebrating our cultural identity and studying our own historical design vocabulary may offer clues to create a sustainable built environment which will be resilient and serve as a beacon of inspiration to create a new and exciting future.
Ar. Ponni M Concessao & Ar. Oscar: Oscar & Ponni + Rahul Architects
Architect Mr. Reza Kabul: ARK Reza Kabul Architects
Architecture, as a subject, is always in an ever-evolving cusp of transformation. All factors affecting the built form, such as climate, global trends and technology are in a constant push to adaptation and change, thus influencing the
Ar. Himanshu Patel: 6thdesign studio
As an architect deeply rooted in the ethos of sustainable architecture, I believe that Indian architecture is indeed in a transformative phase, and this transformation is deeply intertwined with our commitment to environmental
Ar. Shruti Dimri, Ar. Madhav Raman, Ar. Vaibhav Dimri: Anagram Architects
In today’s context, the idea of modernity in architecture has shifted towards addressing the pressing needs of society. This includes a strong focus on technology, artificial intelligence (AI), energy efficiency, and the well-being of
Ar. Akshara Verma & Ar. Dinesh Verma: Ace Group Architects
India’s unique advantage lies in its ability to blend modern methodologies with traditional craftsmanship, thus fostering a distinct architectural identity. The convergence of these elements serves as a catalyst for innovation within
Ar. Akshay Selukar: Akshay Selukar
The future of architecture will be driven by innovation and a commitment to creating built environments that are environmentally sustainable, technologically advanced, and responsive to the needs of society
Architect Lalichan Zacharias: Lalichan Zacharias atelier
Yes, Indian architecture is in a transformation phase. Modernisation, Globalization and exposure to International Designs have influenced the Indian architecture to a great extent. Architecture is becoming more and more technology
Ar. (Dr). Harish Tripathi & Jyoti Tripathi: ARHATA
The architecture of any country is deeply rooted in the culture, psyche, economy, and politics, and India’s situation is no different. In addition to this, the advent of new technologies has a profound effect on the thought
Ar. Amey Dahanukar: ARA Designs
In modern India, architects have extensive travel experience, while earlier, travel exposure to different parts of the world used to be somewhat difficult. However, everything is now accessible due to many travel options, and each
Ar. Archana Van Gils: AVG Architects
Being a part of this endlessly mutable field for almost more than a decade, I can attest to the remarkable evolution of the profession in response to global trends and technological advancements, while also adapting to the needs of
Architect Mr. Arpan Johari: AW Design
India has a rich history of building design trends that have cross influenced across borders and have slowly transformed over the centuries. In fact, the transformative phase in Indian Architecture has always been ongoing. Sometimes it