Source:In architecture, being at the top involves constantly upgrading and adapting yourself to the fast-growing needs and requirements of the people around you. Mumbai being the fastest-growing and developing city in India, demands more from their designers.
All the top architects have one thing in common and that is their identity in design. All top architects have their own individual identity or their own trade design that is reflected through their structures. The top famous architects of Mumbai are the ones who have helped shape the skyline of Mumbai and many other cities in India. These architects are known for their designed buildings. They are the famous names behind the brand that is the building. Mumbai is the biggest financial hub of India, where the construction and real estate business is always at its peak, and the demand for architects is also always high.
Another key similarity between the top architects of Mumbai is the balance they have deciphered between architecture and business. As an architect, it is very important to understand the relationship between business and design and how both complement and limit each other. The profit is not limited to financial growth always, it also aims at infrastructural growth and nation-building. The top architects have managed to decode the relationship and are hence successfully running their own practices in Mumbai and are helping the development of cities across the globe.
The Brand Behind Buildings
To understand how and why a few architects have become the most renowned architects of Mumbai, here are the top 9 architects of Mumbai –
1. Hafeez Contractor - Principal of Hafeez Contractor Architects
Hafeez Contractor
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• Born and brought up in Mumbai itself, Hafeez Contractor has contributed to shaping the skyline of Mumbai.
• As of 2019, he is the architect of the three tallest buildings in India – The 42 in Kolkata, and the twin towers of Imperial in Mumbai. Hafeez Contractor along with many other awards, was awarded the Padma Bhushan in January 2016 by the government of India.
Imperial Towers by Hafeez Contractor Architects
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• He started his architectural practice in 1982 and has actively changed much of India’s skyline ever since. He has built phenomenal buildings in Dubai as well. Hafeez Contractor is a globally recognized and celebrated architect.
• Portfolio - His architectural firm has a diverse portfolio that includes projects like residential high-rises, commercial and retail buildings, master planning and township projects, Road constructions and Health care centers, hospitality, and even Interiors. Hafeez Contractor is truly a brand behind the most famous buildings in Mumbai.
2. Abha Narain Lambah - Principal Architect of Abha Narain Lambah Associates
Abha Narain Lambah
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• Born in 1970 in Calcutta migrated to Mumbai during her architectural studies and is today one of Mumbai’s top famous female architects.
• She is an Indian conservation architect who has helped restore several of India's UNESCO world heritage sites, some of which are in Mumbai – Ajanata caves, Mumbai’s Victorian buildings, Golconda Fort, Royal Opera House, Asiatic Society of Mumbai town hall and many more.
Municipal Corporation Headquarters Mumbai by Abha Narain Lambah Associates
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• She started her architectural practice (Abha Narain Lambah Associates) around 25 years ago and is one of the most famous architects today in Mumbai with projects that focus on preserving and restoring historic sites throughout India.
• Portfolio – The firm’s portfolio includes urban and regional conservation projects, museum designs, and retrofitting of monumental buildings. Some of the famous works include the Bombay High Court Building, Lal Bagh Palace Museum, Sheesh Mahal Palace Museum, and Le Corbusier’s Capitol Complex.
3. Iftikhar M. Kadri - Founder of I.M.K Architects
Iftikhar M. Kadri
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• I.M. Kadri is an Indian architect, civil engineer, and founder of I.M.K Architects in the city of Mumbai.
• His works include some of the landmark buildings in several cities of India, the United States, the Middle East, Russia, and Hong Kong. His son Rahul Kadri is now the principal architect of the legacy I.M.Kadri once started. Some of his famous buildings include
- The Nehru center, Mumbai
- Haj House, Mumbai
- Taj Hotel, Delhi
- Shivsagar estate, Mumbai
- Otters Club, Mumbai
- CEAT Mahal, Mumbai
- Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur
- Fort Aguada Beach Resort, Goa
And many more with many awards and recognitions as well.
Nehru Centre Mumbai by I.M.K Architects
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• Portfolio - The firm currently has a diverse portfolio that includes landscape, urban planning and designing, hospitality, and institutional buildings along with residential and commercial projects. The architect has given Mumbai some of the most iconic Buildings and a legacy that still remains and maintains its identity.
4. P.K. Das - Principal Architect of P. K. Das and Associates
Pranab Kishore Das
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• Pranab Kishore Das, an Indian architect and activist is one of the greatest architects in Mumbai to redesign the idea of architecture and urban planning.
• He started his practice as an architect almost 50 years ago and his work as an activist helped the urban poor of the city of Mumbai almost 45 years ago. Today P.K.Das and Associates is a well-renowned and one of the famous architectural firms not only in the city of Mumbai but also globally. Das’s major contribution to Mumbai was the transformation of public spaces, slum redevelopments, and the well-articulated urban maps of Mumbai. P.K. Das is also known as the man who made space for Mumbai. He redesigned the concept of placemaking in the Indian context and has given Mumbai the identity it has.
Affordable housing in Mumbai by P. K. Das and Associates
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• Portfolio – His legacy is not only excelling in urban planning and designing but also being involved in a number of institutional, residential, commercial, and interior projects on a global scale.
5. Sanjay Puri - Principal Architect of Sanjay Puri Architects
Sanjay Puri
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• An Indian Architect based in Mumbai who has won awards and recognition globally is today the owner of Sanjay Puri Architects – A firm started in 1992 in Mumbai.
• He has made some iconic and famous structures all over India and in other countries as well. His design philosophy includes designing as per the context and materials hence all his buildings have a blend of tradition and modern touch.
The Street by Sanjay Puri Architects
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• Portfolio - His portfolio focuses on master planning and residential and commercial planning. His structures have a unique identity and style. Some of his famous works include:
- The Evershine Rustomjee Global City in Mumbai (Township project)
- Ras town in Rajasthan
- The Pearl, Oman
- Iskon Temple in Ahmedabad
- Many Highrise buildings in Mumbai, Kolkatta, and Karnataka
- Many commercial and retail institutes
• Sanjay Puri is a growing brand behind the upcoming buildings all around India.
6. Reza Kabul - Principal Architect of ARK Reza Kabul Architects
Reza Kabul
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• An Indian architect, Interior designer, and urban planner who grew up in Bombay and started his own practice around 30 years ago is one of the famous architects of Mumbai.
• An architect who contributed some of his life's work in changing the skyline and identity of Mumbai and many other cities. Some of his famous works include – More than 50 skyscrapers in Mumbai and Pune township projects in Rajasthan and Pune, and Commercial and residential interiors. The architect Reza Kabul has built his legacy of three decades and is still intact with phenomenal buildings. Its firm is currently active in Mumbai, Pune, and California, U.S.A.
Joy Legend
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• Portfolio – His Life’s work includes residential, commercial, master planning, urban designing, and Interior designing.
7. Sangeeta Merchant and Sanjeev Panjabi - Principal Architects of SPASM Design Architects
Sangeeta Merchant and Sanjeev Panjabi
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• The architectural couple who started their own practice in 1995 and have been among the top architects of Mumbai ever since. The architects have a unique approach toward design which is a blend of chaos and minimalism. They Focus on designing atmospheres (homes) rather than decorating the homes. Their uniqueness is what makes them stand out.
• Spasm Designs, Mumbai started in 1995.
The House of Secret Gardens by Spasm Design Architects
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• Portfolio – With personalized interiors and simple yet extraordinary architecture, they design homes for the residents not only in Mumbai but in most parts of India, and internationally as well. Spasm design is a blend of two individuals, and two design ideas coming together to create one grand idea, which makes them both among the top architects of Mumbai.
8. Prem Nath - Principal Architect of Prem Nath and Associates
Prem Nath
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• The most admired and inspired architect of India who started his architectural journey in Mumbai.
• He began his own practice – Prem Nath and Associates in 1977 and is designing iconic buildings in Mumbai and around the country even today. His work speaks for himself, his designs are famous for the firsts in the entire city. He is known for designing India’s first revolving restaurant in Mumbai. His contributions to architecture have shaped the identity of Mumbai’s high-rise buildings. From designing banks to designing celebrity homes, to multiplexes, Prem Nath is the brand behind most buildings in Mumbai.
Tower Restaurant
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• Portfolio – Manages a diverse architectural portfolio.
9. Sameep Padora - Principal of Sameep Padora And Associate
Sameep Padora
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• A young Indian architect based in Mumbai who has started his own practice in Mumbai and is actively designing buildings to improve the urban and architectural situation of India.
• Today Sameep Padora is also the dean of one of India’s famous Architectural universities – CEPT. Sameep believes in designing ideas that are predictable. Some of his famous works include insights into redesigning the Dharavi Chawl of Mumbai. He has spoken actively about Decoding Mumbai and its skyline.
Maya Somaiya Library by Sameep Padora And Associate
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• SPA – Sameep Padora Architects, Mumbai.
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Portfolio - His famous architectural work includes designing some iconic temple buildings, affordable residential blocks, and commercial and urban planning projects. Sameep has published many books that talk about urban voids, the housing situations in Mumbai, and building codes and standards. His advice to the young architects is to always have doubts while designing. Something that has helped him achieve fame, and value in his designs. His philosophy has helped him become the brand behind many buildings all over India.
Mumbai has many more famous architects constantly evolving the skyline of the city and many other cities, with many more emerging architects. However, these top architects have created a legacy, and have designed an identity not just for themselves but for all the young architects of Mumbai and other regions to get inspired from and help transform the infrastructure for the betterment of people.
These legacies created by the top and famous architects of Mumbai inspire young and emerging architects around the world to manage the bridge between infrastructure development and business development in a way where not only the architecture profits, but the people of the city benefit too. In order to design a legacy, they must know how to build a lifelong identity for both, themselves, and the city.
They must know how to be the brand behind the building.
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Pooja Gosar -
An Architect aiming to redesign the idea of design. She believes that architecture is a story of built and unbuilt. The architecture we see is not the whole story, there are multiple layers to it. Pooja believes in unfolding these layers to the world and exploring architecture beyond perception.
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