Top 13 Indian Women Architects

1) Brinda Somaya

Brinda Somaya is an Indian architect born on 28 June 1949. Brinda Somaya won the prestigious American Field Service International to study in California. She began her architectural practice in Mumbai. She has been married to Anand Somaya, a cardiac surgeon, for over 42 years.

Brinda Somaya traveled to many rural parts of India. She acquired the knowledge and inspiration for vernacular architecture like Nalanda International School in Vadodara, which reflected her the vernacular architecture by using the locale's available resources and techniques.

Her traveling experience gave an idea of cultural perceptivity. It helped her to design spaces that authentically reflect the morality and identity of the regions they are deposited in. By integrating these aspects into her design philosophy, she has been able to make an armature that serves functional purposes and reflects a strong appreciation for original culture, terrain, and sustainability.

The designs of Brinda Somaya are called both traditional and sustainable. Brinda Somaya's work includes corporate, industrial, and institutional campuses extending to other public spaces. Some of these campuses include Nalanda International School, Vadodara; Tata Consultancy Services, Zensar Technologies; Pune.

She is currently the chairperson of the Board of Governors for the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, and built more than 200 projects and is known as one of the best women architects in India.

Awards and Honors Won by Brinda Somaya:

The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage award for the restoration of St. Thomas' Cathedral in Mumbai in 2004.

She was awarded the Indian Institute of Architects-Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement in 2014.

She was the recipient of an honorary doctorate from her Alma Mater at Smith College in 2012.

A temporary school was built so that the students could continue their education. Brinda Somaya worked closely with villagers and used available resources to save money.

Somaya reflected the tradition of Jaipur in her project by using the local brick produced by the local masons. She designed the projects to ensure peace and tranquility for students and for sustainability.

Other Projects of Brinda Somaya are:

Goa Institute of Management, Goa.

TCS House, Mumbai.

Nalanda International School, Vadodara.

2) Anupama Kundoo

Anupama Kundoo studied architecture at Sir J.J College of Architects, Bombay. In 1996 she was awarded the Vastu Shilpa Foundation Fellowship for her thesis on "Urban Eco-Community: Design and Analysis for Sustainability." In 2008 she received a doctoral degree from the Technical University of Berlin.

Anupama Kundoo herself was established as an architect in Auroville in 1990 as she designed and built with "energy and water-efficient infrastructure" adaptations.

Her basic design approach is to use "waste materials, unskilled labour, and local communities." One of her notable buildings built for her residence is titled the "Wall House."

She involves people of the communities in the structure process and by incorporating reused accoutrements into her designs, she not only offers job opportunity to the communities but also promotes sustainable development. This approach distinguishes her work as both innovative and socially conscious.

This house is L-Shaped in the plan and has a courtyard in the middle; while it is modern in concept, it adopts traditional "vernacular" materials such as compressed earth, concrete, and steel, and the restroom is set in an open-to-sky design with smooth merging with interior and external spaces and landscaped giving it a modern and a regional appearance.

A full-sized replica of her Wall House was made by hand and exhibited at the Venice Biennale of Architecture.

The other theme of her was "Liberty," which presents a reading place as a free library, a creation built with three types of trees fixed in the center of square space.

3) Revathi Kamath

Revathi Kamath was an Indian architect and pioneer of mud architecture in India. She was also credited with building the tallest stainless structure in India and is one of the top women architects in India. She was born in a Tamil Brahmin family. She spent some of her years in Bangalore and tribal areas along the Mahanadi river with her father.

Her early years left a deep impression on understanding of nature, people, and the rhythms of life. In 1977 is obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and completed her post-graduation program in Urban and Regional Planning.

In 1981 she opened a firm with "Revathi and Vasant Kamath" and later came to be known as "Kamath Design Studio-Architecture, Planning and Environment."

Revathi Kamath is known for her sensitive efforts in building the "Evolving Home" concept for redevelopment. She consulted 350 families to comprehend individual needs and to give them a first home on the ground.

She contributed to the exhibition – "Traditional Architecture in India" for the festival of India in Paris.

Some of her projects are:

Desert Resort in Mandawa, Delhi.

Akshay Pratishthan, Delhi.

Weaver's Housing Project, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh.

Awards and honors:

Revathi Kamath received the Award in World Women in Arts, Architecture, and Design.

She has been the recipient of the prestigious Aga Khan Award.

4) Sunita Kholi

Sunita Kholi is an Indian interior designer, architectural restorer, and furniture manufacturer. In 1992 she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India. She was married to Ramesh Kholi in 1971, an equity investor.

Sunita Kholi grew up in Lucknow as her father was an Arya Samaji and migrated to Lucknow after the partition. She graduated in English Literature from Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi.

After her marriage, she and her husband started frequenting Kabadi in their free time, looking for 19th-century English furniture and lamps in Lucknow, Rajasthan, and the hill resorts of Dehradun and Mussoorie.

She also worked on the restoration and conversation into a boutique hotel. In the 1990's she did the interior design of the British Council Building in New Delhi. Kholi's involvement implies that she had a vision for blending the old and new features of the property, creating a distinctive and fascinating atmosphere for visitors.

Sunita Kholi was the chairperson and Founder Trustee of the NGO Umang, which worked for street and slum children. This may involve enterprise related to education, nutrition, healthcare, and emotional well-being, to promote overall quality of life.

Awards:

In 1992 she was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India "for contribution to national life by excellence in the field of Interior Design and Architectural Restoration."

In the same year, she received the "Mahila Shirmani Award," recognizing women of achievement by Mother Teresa.

5) Shimul Javeri Kadri

Shimul Javeri Kadri is an Indian Architect in the city of Mumbai. She has a philosophy of building in harmony with nature by using natural elements, sunlight, natural materials, and cultural contexts.

By integrating nature into her designs, she enhances the quality of living and working spaces. Her designs seek to minimize dislocation to the terrain and enhance the well-being of inhabitants by connecting them with nature.

Shimul Javeri Kadri project includes hotels, museums, office and industrial buildings, bungalows, and educational institutions.

Her design of Lotus Café in the same hotel won the Prix Versailles in the Restaurants category. The design and architecture of Nirvana Films office, Bangalore, won multiple awards including the World Architectural Festival Small Project of the Year Award 2012.

Shimul serves as a trustee for Akshara, a women's resource center in Mumbai for Save the Children India, and has also been actively steering education and women's projects.

Her active participation in women's systems underscores her fidelity to empowering women. Through her efforts, she contributes to the betterment of society.

6) Chitra Vishwanath

Chitra Vishwanath, a visionary architect and environmental planner, is a voice for sustainable design and a driving force in community development. Her architectural firm, Biome Environmental Solutions, exemplifies this philosophy by focusing on environmentally friendly construction techniques. Chitra Vishwanath's most notable projects include the Govardhan Eco-village in Maharashtra. This ground-breaking initiative serves as a model for sustainable living, demonstrating how communities can coexist with the environment. The eco-village incorporates novel approaches to water harvesting, waste management, and renewable energy generation, all while cultivating a strong sense of community and social well-being. Vishwanath's commitment to sustainable design goes well beyond the Govardhan Eco-village. Through Biome Environmental Solutions, she has led numerous projects across India, each contributing to a greener future and empowering communities.

7) Sheila Sri Prakash

Sheila Sri Prakash (1955) is a dominant figure in Indian architecture. She is the founder of Shilpa Architects Planners Designers and has carved a niche for herself by creating innovative designs that are deeply sensitive to their surroundings. Sri Prakash does more than just design buildings; she brings them to life, ensuring that they blend in with their surroundings and meet the community's specific needs. One such example is Mirzapur's Bhagoam Crematorium. This unique project exemplifies her ability to strike the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics while remaining true to cultural traditions. Sri Prakash's commitment to contextually sensitive design is evident throughout her portfolio, earning her a well-deserved reputation as a leading architect who values both innovation and respect for the local environment and culture.

8) Aishwarya Tipnis

Aishwarya Tipnis, an architect born in 1980, is making waves in India's sustainable and socially conscious design scene. Her firm, Aishwarya Tipnis Architects, designs and constructs spaces that prioritize both environmental responsibility and the needs of the communities they serve. Her impressive portfolio includes award-winning educational institutions and community centers, each with a thoughtful design that promotes learning, interaction, and a sense of belonging. Tipnis' commitment to sustainability goes beyond material selection; she incorporates natural lighting, promotes energy efficiency, and highlights local craftsmanship in her work. Her emphasis on social and environmental well-being has established her as a thought leader in contemporary Indian architecture.

9) Abha Narain Lambah

Abha Narain Lambah is a prominent Indian architect noted for her commitment to historical preservation. She established her own company and has overseen the restoration of various landmarks, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Ajanta Caves, Taj Mahal, and Victorian masterpieces like Mumbai's Royal Opera House. Lambah's focus goes beyond only repairs. She emphasizes knowing the building's context and past, ensuring that restorations are considerate of the original architecture and cultural relevance. Her efforts have helped her gain worldwide recognition as a leading architect, as well as contributing to the conservation of India's architectural history for future generations.

10) Nayantara Rao

Nayantara Rao, the esteemed founder of Morphogenesis, exemplifies the fusion of contemporary vision and sustainable ethos in architectural innovation. Rao's designs, known for their discerning approach, seamlessly combine modern aesthetics with a keen awareness of the local context. Her work redefines spatial experiences, with a diverse portfolio that includes educational institutions that foster learning environments conducive to growth, corporate offices that exude professionalism and functionality, and residential buildings that combine comfort and elegance. Rao's dedication to sustainability is evident throughout her work, shaping not only structures but also fostering a profound connection between built environments and their ecological surroundings, leaving an indelible mark in the architectural world.

11) Deepika Nath

Deepika Nath established Deepika Nath & Associates in 1974. The firm specializes in creating sustainable, community-oriented designs that promote environmental responsibility and social impact. Their varied portfolio includes innovative projects such as educational institutions, public areas, and residential constructions. Each project reflects a dedication to developing harmonious and useful settings that promote community well-being and connections. Their design philosophy combines sustainability and aesthetic appeal, earning them a reputable name in contemporary architecture and urban planning.

12) Sonali Rastogi

Sonali Rastogi, born in 1963, is a prominent architect and founding partner of Morphogenesis, a prestigious architectural studio known for its contemporary and contextually mindful designs. Rastogi & Associates has an impressive portfolio, which includes corporate headquarters, residential complexes, and educational institutions. Their work is renowned for its unique approach, sustainability, and ability to blend effortlessly with the surrounding environment, establishing them as modern architectural design pioneers.

13) Dipti Sengupta

Dipti Sengupta Architects is known for providing innovative and sustainable designs that attentively address the unique needs of each project and its surroundings. The firm's approach combines cutting-edge technology with a thorough understanding of ecological concepts, resulting in structures that are both visually appealing and environmentally friendly. Dipti Sengupta Architects continuously provides bespoke solutions that improve the functionality and harmony of their projects by focusing on the specific traits of each site.

So that was our list of the top 13 Indian Women Architects. Do share about the ones we missed!

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