India’s leading architects: tour their best projects

Groupshot

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We assembled some of India's best architects, young and established, on the roof terrace of Le Corbusier's Mill Owners' Association Building in Ahmedabad.

Top row: Iype Chacko and Rajesh Renganathan from Flying Elephant; Gurjit Matharoo of Matharoo Associates; Aniket Bhagwat from Prabhakhar Bhagwat.

Middle row: Samira Rathod; Pradeep Sachdeva; Rajeev Kathpalia of Vastu-Shilpa; Manit Rastogi, Sonali Rastogi and Sanjay Bhardwaj of Morphogenesis; Martand Khosla; Kapil Gupta of Serie Architects.

Bottom row: Rajiv Saini; Bimal Patel of HCP; Meghal and Vijay Arya of Arya; Sameep Padora

Sirpur Paper Mills Delhi Office

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: Sirpur Paper Mills Delhi Office
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

A landscape design firm with experience that spans three generations and eight decades, M/S Prabhakar B. Bhagwat is one of Ahmedabad's oldest design forces and arguably one of the most influential in its field throughout the country. Aniket Bhagwat, the son of principle Prof. Prabhakar Bhagwat - who also ran the Landscape Architecture program at the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi - runs landscape as well as architecture projects. Recent highlights include the renowned Devi Art Foundation's stunning new home in Delhi, the Bridge House in Baroda, and the following projects...

Sirpur Paper Mills Delhi Office

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: Sirpur Paper Mills Delhi Office
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

Sirpur Paper Mills Delhi Office

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: Sirpur Paper Mills Delhi Office
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

Akalpya, Ahmedabad

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: Akalpya, Ahmedabad
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

Ghuma, Ahmedabad

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: Ghuma, Ahmedabad
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

Street House, Ahmedabad

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: Street House, Ahmedabad
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

The Sunken Retreat, Ahmedabad

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: The Sunken Retreat, Ahmedabad
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

Blossom Industries, Daman

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: Blossom Industries, Daman
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

Akash Party Plot, Ahmedabad

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: Akash Party Plot, Ahmedabad
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

Aman Party Plot, Ahmedabad

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Practice: Aniket Bhagwat
Project: Aman Party Plot, Ahmedabad
Website: www.landscapeindia.net

Mewar Complex, Udaipur

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Practice: Arya Architects
Project: Mewar Complex, Udaipur
Website: www.aryaarchitects.com

Ahmedabad-based husband and wife team Vijay and Meghal Arya make up one of the city's brightest emerging practices, Arya Architects. The Aryas have been working together on a number of commissions and competitions, as well as teaching at the country's prestigious CEPT University - Meghal is a full time lecturer in history of Indian architecture and construction detailing. One of their first projects, the beautifully stone-clad Mewar Complex in Udaipur, is a cluster of three memorial sites harmoniously incorporated in the landscape and dedicated to the region's historical freedom fighter Rana Pratap (1540-1597)

Mewar Complex, Udaipur

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Practice: Arya Architects
Project: Mewar Complex, Udaipur
Website: www.aryaarchitects.com

Mewar Complex, Udaipur

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Practice: Arya Architects
Project: Mewar Complex, Udaipur
Website: www.aryaarchitects.com

Mewar Complex, Udaipur

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Practice: Arya Architects
Project: Mewar Complex, Udaipur
Website: www.aryaarchitects.com

Memco Sports Complex, Ahmedabad

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Practice: Arya Architects
Project: Memco Sports Complex, Ahmedabad
Website: www.aryaarchitects.com

Memco Sports Complex, Ahmedabad

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Architect: Arya architects, Ahmedabad
Project: Memco Sports Complex, Ahmedabad
Website: www.aryaarchitects.com

Memco Sports Complex, Ahmedabad

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Architect: Arya architects, Ahmedabad
Project: Memco Sports Complex, Ahmedabad
Website: www.aryaarchitects.com

Memco Sports Complex, Ahmedabad

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Architect: Arya architects, Ahmedabad
Project: Memco Sports Complex, Ahmedabad
Website: www.aryaarchitects.com

International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore

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Practice: Flying Elephant
Project: International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore
Website: www.flyingelephant.in

Established by Rajesh Ranganathan and Iype Chako in just 2007, Flying Elephant is today one of the finest practices working from Bangalore. Both principles graduated from CEPT at the turn of the century and, following postgraduate studies in the US and stints at prestigious Middle East practices like dxd-lab in Dubai, returned to their hometown in Southern India to focus on their own projects. Working on a range of typologies that cover residential, education and commercial buildings, the pair may be young but they have already pocketed prestigious awards, including the Architect of the Year Award in 2001, received from the Vice President of India at New Delhi.

International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore

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Practice: Flying Elephant
Project: International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore
Website: www.flyingelephant.in

International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore

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Practice: Flying Elephant
Project: International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore
Website: www.flyingelephant.in

Krishnamurti Foundation India, Rishi Valley School, Madanapall

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Practice: Flying Elephant
Project: Krishnamurti Foundation India, Rishi Valley School, Madanapalle
Website: www.flyingelephant.in

Krishnamurti Foundation India, Rishi Valley School, Madanapalle

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Practice: Flying Elephant
Project: Krishnamurti Foundation India, Rishi Valley School, Madanapalle
Website: www.flyingelephant.in

Krishnamurti Foundation India

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Practice: Flying Elephant
Project: Krishnamurti Foundation India, Rishi Valley School, Madanapalle
Website: www.flyingelephant.in

Krishnamurti Foundation India, Rishi Valley School, Madanapalle

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Practice: Flying Elephant
Project: Krishnamurti Foundation India, Rishi Valley School, Madanapalle
Website: www.flyingelephant.in

Pavilion extension, Bangalore

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Practice: Flying Elephant
Project: Pavilion extension, Bangalore
Website: www.flyingelephant.in

New campus for Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

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Practice: HCP Design and Project Management
Project: New campus for Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
Website: www.hcp.co.in

A well-established practice within the Ahmedabad thriving architecture scene, HCP Design and Project Management is headed by father and son team, Hasmukh and Bimal Patel. Set up by Hasmukh in the 1960s, it started off as a three-man practice and swiftly developed into the 150+ strong team it is today. Their work spans from private homes, housing projects, commercial buildings and cultural and civic work, including the prominent 2008 Indian Institute of Management extension that sits next to the iconic 1964 Louis Kahn complex site in Ahmedabad.

Corporate Headquarters, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bhat

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Practice: HCP Design and Project Management
Project: Corporate Headquarters, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bhat
Website: www.hcp.co.in

KHS Machinery Plant, Ahmedabad

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Practice: HCP Design and Project Management
Project: KHS Machinery Plant, Ahmedabad
Website: www.hcp.co.in

Safal Profitaire, Ahmedabad

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Practice: HCP Design and Project Management
Project: Safal Profitaire, Ahmedabad
Website: www.hcp.co.in

Rambaug Club House, Ahmedabad

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Practice: HCP Design and Project Management
Project: Rambaug Club House, Ahmedabad
Website: www.hcp.co.in

Arvind Mills Corporate Studio, Ahmedabad

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Practice: HCP Design and Project Management
Project: Arvind Mills Corporate Studio, Ahmedabad
Website: www.hcp.co.in

Student Housing, Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat

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Practice: HCP Design and Project Management
Project: Student Housing, Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat
Website: www.hcp.co.in

Ismet – Bimal Residence, Ahmedabad

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Practice: HCP Design and Project Management
Project: Ismet – Bimal Residence, Ahmedabad
Website: www.hcp.co.in

Castro Cafeteria, Cultural Complex Jamia, JMI University, New Delhi

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Architect: Martand Khosla
Project: Castro Cafeteria, Cultural Complex Jamia, JMI University, New Delhi
Website: www.rk-ds.com

Son of respected Indian architect Romi Khosla - the brains behind projects like the Mumbai National Gallery - Martand now works in partnership with his father as well as leading his own independent projects, following studies at London's Architectural Association and a stint at architects Allies and Morrison. His work includes a minimal outdoor students' canteen and a Hospice for Poor Patients project in Delhi, the latter winning him a WA award after its completion in 2004.

Jamia Art Gallery, JMI University, New Delhi

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Architect: Martand Khosla
Project: Jamia Art Gallery, JMI University, New Delhi
Website: www.rk-ds.com

Dental College, JMI University, New Delhi

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Architect: Martand Khosla
Project: Dental College, JMI University, New Delhi
Website: www.rk-ds.com

A House, Himachal Pradesh

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Architect: Martand Khosla
Project: A House, Himachal Pradesh
Website: www.rk-ds.com

Shantanu & Nikhil showroom, New Delhi

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Architect: Martand Khosla
Project: Shantanu & Nikhil showroom, New Delhi
Website: www.rk-ds.com

Suneet Varma store, New Delhi

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Architect: Martand Khosla
Project: Suneet Varma store, New Delhi
Website: www.rk-ds.com

Volvo-Eicher HQ, Gurgaon, NCR

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Architect: Martand Khosla
Project: Volvo-Eicher HQ, Gurgaon, NCR
Website: www.rk-ds.com

Weekend house, Raigad

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Practice: Matharoo Associates
Project: Weekend house, Raigad
Website: www.matharooassociates.com

Headed by Gurjit Singh Matharoo, this practice is one of the highlights of the Ahmedabad architecture scene. It was established in 1996, following Matharoo's return to India after a short stint in Switzerland. A teacher at CEPT, Matharoo is both dynamic and inventive. His award-winning architectural projects aside - including the Prathama Blood Centre, The Indian Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and a series of private residences - he is also an automotive enthusiast, with the Cattiva Mobile Blood Donation Vehicle and the Namaskar Indian Supercar being just two examples of his explorations into automotive design

Weekend house, Raigad

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Architect: Matharoo Associates
Project: Weekend house, Raigad
Website: www.matharooassociates.com

Weekend house, Raigad

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Architect: Matharoo Associates
Project: Weekend house, Raigad
Website: www.matharooassociates.com

Weekend house, Raigad

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Architect: Matharoo Associates
Project: Weekend house, Raigad
Website: www.matharooassociates.com

Guest house in Pavapuri, Rajastan

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Architect: Matharoo Associates
Project: Guest house in Pavapuri, Rajastan
Website: www.matharooassociates.com

Guest house in Pavapuri, Rajastan

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Architect: Matharoo Associates
Project: Guest house in Pavapuri, Rajastan
Website: www.matharooassociates.com

Sanghvi House, Surat

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Architect: Matharoo Associates
Project:  Sanghvi House, Surat
Website: www.matharooassociates.com

Sanghvi House, Surat

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Architect: Matharoo Associates
Project: Sanghvi House, Surat
Website: www.matharooassociates.com

Morphogenesis house and HQ, New Delhi

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Practice: Morphogenesis
Project: Morphogenesis house and HQ, New Delhi
Website: www.morphogenesis.org

Multi-tasking, award winning and dynamic architecture practice Morphogenesis courteously played host to the Wallpaper* team, when we set up base in Delhi. Headed by couple Manit and Sonali Rastogi, Sanjay Bhardwaj and Vijay Dahiya, the firm was founded in 1996. Ranging from commercial to residential and institutional, its projects bring together architects, urban planners and designers, while always having sustainability at their core. Actively promoting debate, the practice is also behind Manthan, an informal platform for multi-disciplinary discourse, and is connected to the well-known Sushant School of Design, where Manit Rastogi is the Director of Art and Architecture. Morphogenesis' recently completed home and HQ in New Delhi is a sleek and contemporary space, showcasing a large selection of local materials and handcrafted interiors. It was also the ideal temporary home for Wallpaper*

India Glycols Corporate Office, Noida

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Practice: Morphogenesis
Project:  India Glycols Corporate Office, Noida
Website: www.morphogenesis.org

77/32, Noida

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Practice: Morphogenesis
Project: 77/32, Noida
Website: www.morphogenesis.org

Chettinad Health City Auditorium, Chennai

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Practice: Morphogenesis
Project: Chettinad Health City Auditorium, Chennai
Website: www.morphogenesis.org

Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi

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Practice: Morphogenesis
Project: Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
Website: www.morphogenesis.org

Harley Davidson Corporate Office, Gurgaon

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Practice: Morphogenesis
Project: Harley Davidson Corporate Office, Gurgaon
Website: www.morphogenesis.org

Marble Arch, Chandigarh

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Practice: Morphogenesis
Project: Marble Arch, Chandigarh
Website: www.morphogenesis.org

Pearl Academy of Fashion, Jaipur

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Practice: Morphogenesis
Project: Pearl Academy of Fashion, Jaipur
Website: www.morphogenesis.org

ITC Mughal, Agra

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Architect: Pradeep Sachdeva
Project: ITC Mughal, Agra
Website: www.psda.in

Starting off as a small design studio in the early 1990s, Pradeep Sachdeva Design Associates has quickly developed into a 25-strong practice that works out of New Delhi but has projects all around India. Sachdeva’s team undertakes work that may range from the design of a chair to large urban planning schemes and his most celebrated works include the Garden of Five Senses in New Delhi, a Street development and the Godavari river front development at Nanded, the Taj Usha Kiran Palace in Gwalior, and the Samode Palace and Samode Haveli in Jaipur

Samode Palace, Rajasthan

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Architect: Pradeep Sachdeva
Project: Samode Palace, Rajasthan
Website: www.psda.in

Samode Palace, Rajasthan

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Architect: Pradeep Sachdeva
Project: Samode Palace, Rajasthan
Website: www.psda.in

Taj Nadesar Palace, Benaras

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Architect: Pradeep Sachdeva
Project: Taj Nadesar Palace, Benaras
Website: www.psda.in

Rato Drastang Monastry, Mungud

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Architect: Pradeep Sachdeva
Project: Rato Drastang Monastry, Mungud
Website: www.psda.in

Garden of Five Senses, Delhi

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Architect: Pradeep Sachdeva
Project: Garden of Five Senses, Delhi
Website: www.psda.in

Dilli Haat, Pritampura

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Architect: Pradeep Sachdeva
Project: Dilli Haat, Pritampura
Website: www.psda.in

Radhika Doshi Kathpalia house in Ahmedabad

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Architect: Rajeev Kathpalia
Project:
Website: www.vastushilpa.org

Vastu Shilpa may owe its existence to iconic Indian architect Balkrishna V Doshi, who set it up in 1955, but it certainly owes its continuing and growing success to a team of dynamic architects and collaborators. A partner at Vastu Shilpa since 1995 - when his independent practice, set up with Radhika Doshi Kathapalia, merged with the firm - Rajeev Kathpalia is one of its most active members. A graduate of the Chandigarh College of Architecture, Kathpalia has won several awards for his architecture and has worked on a number of urban planning and design projects, as well as one-off buildings like the recent Radhika Doshi Kathpalia house in Ahmedabad

Radhika Villa

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Architect: Rajeev Kathpalia
Project: Radhika Villa
Website: www.vastushilpa.org

Library for Flame University

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Architect: Rajeev Kathpalia
Project: Library for Flame University
Website: www.vastushilpa.org

Library for Flame University

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Architect: Rajeev Kathpalia
Project: Library for Flame University
Website: www.vastushilpa.org

House in Pune

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Architect: Rajiv Saini
Project: House in Pune
Website: www.rajivsaini.com

Talented and energetic, as well as our go-to man in Mumbai, self-taught architect and designer Rajiv Saini set up his practice in 1995. A specialist in high quality, high end residential interiors and houses, Saini not only designs and builds on a large scale, but he also works on the finer details of each commission. From various surface treatments and craft-based detail to furniture design and finishings, Saini does it all. His award winning work includes the Devigarh Hotel in Udaipur, the Marriot Hotel in Goa, and bar and retail interiors, as well as a wealth of residential commissions, from new builds to existing renovations and interior design.

House in Pune

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Architect: Rajiv Saini
Project: House in Pune
Website: www.rajivsaini.com

House in Pune

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Architect: Rajiv Saini
Project: House in Pune
Website: www.rajivsaini.com

House in Pune

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Architect: Rajiv Saini
Project: House in Pune
Website: www.rajivsaini.com

House in Pune

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Architect: Rajiv Saini
Project: House in Pune
Website: www.rajivsaini.com

Apartment in Mumbai

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Architect: Rajiv Saini
Project: Apartment in Mumbai
Website: www.rajivsaini.com

Apartment in Mumbai

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Architect: Rajiv Saini
Project: Apartment in Mumbai
Website: www.rajivsaini.com

Penthouse in Mumbai

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Architect: Rajiv Saini
Project: Penthouse in Mumbai
Website: www.rajivsaini.com

Penthouse in Mumbai

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Architect: Rajiv Saini
Project: Penthouse in Mumbai
Website: www.rajivsaini.com

Creo store, Mumbai

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Architect: Sameep Padora
Project: Creo store, Mumbai
Website: www.sp-arc.net

Gaining international recognition with his Shiv temple in Wadeshwar, Maharashtra, about a year ago, young Indian architect Sameep Padora leads a small but energetic practice based in Mumbai. Having worked and studied both in the US and India, Padora set up Sameep Padora & Associates after graduating with a Masters in Design Studies from Harvard University in 2005 and the practice's portfolio includes residential and commercial projects, both new build and interiors work, such as the latest wallpaper* favourite, Indigo Deli outlet in downtown Mumbai.

Creo store, Mumbai

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Architect: Sameep Padora
Project: Creo store, Mumbai
Website: www.sp-arc.net

Indigo Delhi, Mumbai

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Architect: Sameep Padora
Project: Indigo Delhi, Mumbai
Website: www.sp-arc.net

Galeecha Pavilion, Mumbai

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Architect: Sameep Padora
Project: Galeecha Pavilion, Mumbai
Website: www.sp-arc.net

Shiv Temple, Pune

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Architect: Sameep Padora
Project: Shiv Temple, Pune
Website: www.sp-arc.net

Roddam House, Hyderabad

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Architect: Sameep Padora
Project: Roddam House, Hyderabad
Website: www.sp-arc.net

IB Residence

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Architect: Sameep Padora
Project: IB Residence
Website: www.sp-arc.net

Broacha Residence, Alibaug

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Practice: Samira Rathod
Project: Broacha Residence, Alibaug
Website: www.samirarathod.com

Architect Samira Rathod established her practice in 2000 and works from Mumbai. As well as taking on private homes and large housing projects, she conducts research and building surveys, such as for iconic Indian architect Neri Gandhi's Karjat house. Her work also extends to product and furniture design, like the beautiful handcrafted pieces she created for Aniket Bhagwat's Drum House project in Ahmedabad

Handa House

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Practice: Samira Rathod
Project: Handa House
Website: www.samirarathod.com

Highland Sapphire, Kolkata

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Practice: Samira Rathod
Project: Highland Sapphire, Kolkata
Website: www.samirarathod.com

Tote on the Turf, Mumbai

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Tote on the Turf, Mumbai

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Practice: Serie Architects
Project: Tote on the Turf, Mumbai
Website: www.serie.co.uk

Blue Frog Lounge, Mumbai

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Practice: Serie Architects
Project: Blue Frog Lounge, Mumbai
Website: www.serie.co.uk

Blue Frog Lounge, Mumbai

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Practice: Serie Architects
Project: Blue Frog Lounge, Mumbai
Website: www.serie.co.uk

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).