If I ask you if you can name 10 Architects?

Automatically, certain male figures come to your mind. We give importance to female architects in our society as much only as we give importance to our civic exam in our school days. There’s a lot have been happening and we want to let you know through this blog.

“definitely the societal conditioning of girl children would help us in the near future, before it becomes the flat world of “Architectural practice” without any gender stereotyping, in creating an inclusive society….” – Chitra Vishwanath 

From Padma Shri to Social Activist to the researcher their contribution towards Architecture is impeccable. Although there are a lot many who are worth writing this is our list of some of the finest.

Sunita Kohli (Padma Shri, 1992)

Sunita Kohli

A renowned architectural restorer and interior designer, Sunita Kohli has worked across several realms and countries. Her multi-disciplinary firm, K2 India (encompassing architectural design, restoration, interior design, furniture design & manufacture, project management, and research) was established in 1971 in New Delhi.

While K2 India continues to deliver quality in a varied range of projects, their approach is laced with the belief that “design is fundamental to improving the quality of life, and with an integrated and unified approach, it can become a total functional and living WORK OF ART.” It is for this ceaseless and multifaceted effort that she has been honored, besides Padma Shri, with Mahila Shiromani Award by Mother Teresa.  

RENOWNED WORKS:

Restoration of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Prime Minister’s Office, and Official Residence,

Design of National Assembly Building & Building of the SAARC Summit, Bhutan.

Source: http://www.k2india.com/, http://www.sunitakohli.com/

Ar. Madhavi Desai

Ar. Madhavi Desai

A passionate researcher, professor, writer, and speaker, Ar. Madhavi Desai has contributed to the field remarkably. In 1994 she received a Visiting Scholar position at the renowned Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, MIT, and Harvard, USA. She has also been adjunct faculty at CEPT University, Ahmedabad.

Besides this, she is also one of the principal architects at Archicrafts studio, along with Miki Desai. They are focused on quality research on architecture in the Indian & South Asian context and ‘Creating a link between the community and the discipline of architecture while developing a focus on women and children.’

RENOWNED WORKS:

Co-author – Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity: India 188 to 1980,

Women Architects and Modernism in India: Narratives and Contemporary Practices.

Traditional Architecture: House Form of the Islamic Community of the Bohras in Gujarat

Editor – Women and the Built Environment in India.

Source/s : https://archicrafts.com/ , https://www.gallopper.com/trail-blazer-madhavi-desai/

Ar. Samira Rathod.

Ar. Samira Rathod

A few feathers in Ar. Samira Rathod’s hat is those of being a furniture designer, writer & teacher. Principal architect at Samira Rathod Design Associates (SRDA, founded in 2000), she has several projects to her credit, that aptly justify the firm’s approach – ‘the philosophy of the architecture of BLIRS – beautiful, local, indigenous, recycle and small. Poetry draws the distinction between a piece of architecture and a mere building.’

In 2008, she founded SPADE, a critical architectural publication with a focus on Indian architecture. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies (KRVIA) in Mumbai.

RENOWNED WORK:

The Karjat House, Karjat (The Habitat Award for Single Residence Winner’s Trophy),

School of Dancing arches in Bhadran Gujarat, The Shadow House, The Broacha house, Wall as a room experiment.

Source – https://srda.co/, https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/know-your-architects/a630-15-projects-by-samira-rathod/

Ar. Shubhra Raje

Ar. Shubhra Raje

Founder of Shubhra Raje_built environments, an interdisciplinary design & research practice, Ar. Shubhra Raje is an architect and an educator. Her practice is based in Ahmedabad, India, and Denver, USA. She has successfully executed several designs (ranging from institutional to housing to art spaces etc), renovation, graphics, and storytelling programs as well as conservation projects.

A binding aspect in her designs is the innate understanding of the context paired with the premise – ‘The work is the product of several intersections – of cultures, interests, scales, and geographies. It involves making places of learning, living, healing, and work through renovations, interventions, and re-use as well as new construction.’

RENOWNED WORKS:

Village Exchange Centre, Aurora CO (2017 – present), Aglod Township, North Gujarat, India (2015),

Architectural Conservation of the Shuneh el Zebib Abydos, Egypt; a University of Pennsylvania- Yale- Institute of Fine Arts [NYU] Project

Book – Co-editor of Anant Raje Architect: Selected Works 1974-2009

Source – http://shubhraraje.com/

Ar. Neera Adarkar

Ar. Neera Adarkar

In a career that spans over several aspects such as design, conservation, research, books and print media, digital media, and public & cultural work, Ar. Neera Adarkar has contributed tirelessly to the field of architecture and many others. She joined Adarkar and Associates in 1980, as a partner with Ar. Arvind Adarkar. The team of Adarkar Associates looks at architectural space as a medium to create an environment that transcends beyond fulfilling the functional requirements.

Besides being an expert as author and researcher in print media, she is also often seen gracing the electronic media. She has written and spoken about various cultural, heritage, urban and gender issues, both in and outside India.

RENOWNED WORKS:

Books:

1. ‘One Hundred Years: One Hundred Voices, Oral History Mill workers of Girangaon, Co-Authored with Meena Menon, Seagull publishers. 2004
2. Women and Infrastructural Amenities in Urban Housing Women and Shelter, Published by the University of Michigan, USA. 1992

Heritage listing for the island city of Mumbai MMR-HCS MMRDA.

YUVA Centre at Kharghar, Melody Housing Complex at Pune, Factory for Endress + Hausser at Aurangabad.

Source: http://www.adarkarassociates.in/

Ar. Anupama Kundoo

Ar. Anupama Kundoo

An internationally renowned architect, author, and researcher, Ar Anupama Kundoo is known for her innovative approach, extensive research, and experimentation in architecture. She established herself as an architect in Auroville in 1990 where she designed and built many buildings with “energy and water-efficient infrastructure” adaptations.

She truly believes that current methods of construction are causing more problems than they can solve. She expresses her design approach clearly by stating: “My designs are not driven by the worry that the world will end, but by finding ways to make the most with what one has.” She is currently a Professor at UCJC Madrid where she is Chair of ‘Affordable Habitat’. She is also the Strauch Visiting Critic at Cornell University.

RENOWNED WORKS:

The Wall House, Residence for Pierre Tran, Fulfill Homes, Auroville Village Action Group Centre, Auroville

Sources : https://www.anupamakundoo.com/conact/ , https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/know-your-architects/a453-15-projects-by-anupama-kundoo/ ,  https://peoplepill.com/people/anupama-kundoo/

Ar. Amritha Ballal

Ar. Amritha Ballal

An architect and urban planner, Ar. Amritha Ballal is one of the founding partners of Space Matters, one of the few first-generation, women-led practices in the country. She has taught at the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, and is the co-editor of the international publication ‘Bhopal 2011-Landscapes of Memory.’ She has been named in the annual international shortlist of emerging woman architects Architecture Journal, the UK in 2013.

Space Matters was established in 2005 in New Delhi by Amritha Ballal, Moulshri Joshi, and Suditya Sinha – friends, collaborators, and alumnus of the School of Planning & Architecture. The works of Space Matters spans across scales, contexts, and media. These works rest of the firm belief that – As we urbanize rapidly, each project offers us a chance to put out ear to the ground and listen to how our cities and communities are organized, how space is shared, and negotiated.

RENOWNED WORKS:

Vidya Devi Jindal Paramedical College, Haryana, Shiv Nadar Cultural Centre, Sri Aurobindo School of Art and Communication, New Delhi.

Sources: https://www.spacematters.in/studio

Ar. Brinda Somaya

Ar. Brinda Somaya

A contemporary architect and urban conservationist, Ar. Brinda Somaya has contributed to the field for over four decades now. She is the founder of Somaya and Kalappa Consultants and has numerous design and conservation projects to her credit. In 2014, she was awarded the IIA – Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement.  Her philosophy: “The architect’s role is that of guardian: hers is the conscience of the built and unbuilt environment.”

The works of Somaya and Kalappa Consultants is a result of extensive research and understanding of the site and cultural context. These are public buildings, institutional campuses, museums, housing, technology parks, etc, each handled carefully as per scale and material. they are a collaborative practice and have strong working relationships with several international firms, notably Jim Polshek, Pie Cobb Freed and Partners, OMA, etc.

RENOWNED WORKS:

TCS Campus at Indore, Project INDIGO in UAE, Nalanda International Middle School in Vadodra, Associate architects for World One Towers in Mumbai.

Source: https://www.snkindia.com/ , https://architecturelive.in/brinda-somaya/ .

Ar. Chitra Vishwanath

Ar. Chitra Vishwanath

An architect, known largely for her work related to ecology and environment-friendly architecture, Ar. Chitra Vishwanath, for almost 3 decades has ceaselessly contributed to the making of architecture that creates a difference. She is the Principal Architect & Managing Director of BIOME Environment Solutions Private Limited. Her approach places emphasis on indigenous natural resources, in both an active and passive manner.

She has been involved in more than 500 projects encompassing construction of buildings of all sizes and water harvesting and sanitation structures with specific relevance to the ecology of the sites. These buildings can attract local plants and birds, so as to create unique and comfortable spaces. As part of the range of resources used, “mud” is a major component since it is well suited for local conditions, is relatively labor-intensive and locally available.

RENOWNED WORKS:

Govardhan Eco Village, Swastika Dance School, Reitzel Guest House, Buddhi School, Oland Estate

Source : https://www.biome-solutions.com/about-us/, http://www.earth-auroville.com/chitra_vishwanath_architects_en.php ,  https://architecturelive.in/architecture-has-no-gender-chitra-vishwanath/ .

SPECIAL MENTIONS:

Ar. Rupali Gupte, Founder, and Co-Professor at SEA.

Ar. Aishwarya Tipnis, Conservation Architect.

Ar. Monica Chadha, Founder & Principal Architect, CIVIC Projects.

This was a brief introduction to a few eminent women architects of India. But this, is the tip of the iceberg…!! There is so much more to these women, their lives, and their work. Comment below and let me know if you would love to embark upon a fascinating journey across their stories…!

This blog wouldn’t have been possible with our team. Special thanks to Madhura Kulkarni for helping me out with this blog, I can’t thank you enough. Please show some love for Madhura in the comment section.

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