Ar. Dikshu C Kukreja
Architecture was in-built in Ar. Dikshu C. Kukreja subconscious from his early years and he was clear to enter into the architectural profession and to become an architect who would not just design buildings, but make a difference. This young architect who is looking forward to create buildings which can be in the realm of water and air has been felicitated as young and the most sought after Architect in India and is also being chosen as face of 21st Century Architecture in India.

As a child, his passion was encouraged by his mother who used to take him to visit monuments. Subconsciously, it triggered off an affinity to buildings and spaces, and the interest continued as he grew. Later, as a teenager, his father had always challenged his interest in being an architect, which strengthened his resolve to join the profession to prove his credentials to him.

He studied architecture and after completing his graduation from the School of Planning and Architecture in Delhi, his fleeting dreams to delve deep into the discipline took him to Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in United States of America followed by receiving a Masters from Harvard University, which fuelled his passion for making a difference in the Built Environment, rather than simply making a building. The working experience in France strengthened his design skills, enriched his taste for architectural and artistic aesthetics. Most of all, it inspired him to take the responsibility of contributing to the 'city-building' in his own country through good architecture that might raise the social value of "Architectural Design" in the Indian context. So he returned to India to join C.P. Kukreja Architects, a Delhi-based multi-disciplinary architectural and design firm, owned by his father Ar. C.P. Kukreja.

On following the design philosophy while working on the projects he says, "For me designing any building is more a thrill than work, I enjoy all aspects of designing of a building including the experiential qualities of the physical environment. I find it interesting to visualize how my building fits at a macro level into the context of the city and its immediate surroundings and right down to the micro level of intimate spaces which give a certain joy to the occupants such as a glorious view from a window."

While his passion to see the building around the world continues but Fatehpur Sikri will always remain his first love. Ar. Dikshu describes it as, "It is truly a remarkable example of urban design and architecture and he can write pages about this complex."

Sharing his views on the current Architectural trend, he says "Architecture today just like any other field is also strongly influenced by global trends. The world around us is shrinking and therefore architectural trends being followed anywhere in the world tend to have their influence here as well. In India, the availability of palette of building materials has increased tremendously, and therefore, the architectural designs today reflect the choices available in terms of selection of materials. Another important aspect is the advancement in technology– be it electrical systems such as lighting, security, mechanical systems such as advanced Air-conditioning, passive cooling, and many other aspects, all influence our architectural designs."

Though he has been bestowed with number of awards and recognitions but he doesn't see awards/recognitions as a means of satiating his personal glory. Rather, he feels that it is an opportunity to reflect on the right initiatives and be a source of inspiration to strive for higher goals. Ar. Dikshu Kukreja has been fortunate to consistently receive national and international awards. From often being selected as Best Architects in India to the top 100 in the world, from being felicitated as young and the most sought after Architect in India by Union Minister of Urban Development to being chosen as face of 21st Century Architecture in India and receiving Best Architects award several times, it is a continuing journey of following his convictions to create a meaningful note in the profession.

He feels that passion and hard work are the two simple mantras for a successful life so he suggests to keep working hard with passion.