Modern architecture in India is a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage and its rapid economic growth.
- Lotus Temple
The building is composed of 27 free-standing marble-clad “petals” arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides, with nine doors opening onto a central hall with a height of slightly over 34 metres and a capacity of 1,300 people.
The architect of the Lotus Temple was an Iranian, Fariborz Sahba who now lives in California.
The Baha’i Faith states that a Baha’i House of worship should be a space for people of all religions to gather, reflect, and worship.
- India Gate
The India Gate (formerly known as All India War Memorial) is a war memorial located near the Rajpath.
It stands as a memorial to 74,187 soldiers of the Indian Army who died between 1914 and 1921 in the First World War, in France, Flanders (Dutch speaking residents of northern Belgium), Mesopotamia(Iraq, Turkey, Syria) , Persia (Iran) , East Africa and elsewhere in the Near and the Far East, and the Third Anglo-Afghan war .
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the gate evokes the architectural style of the ancient Roman triumphal arches such as the Arch of Constantine in Rome, and later memorial arches; it is often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
Arc de Triomphe, is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France. The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces.
3.The Gateway of India is an arch-monument completed in 1924 on the waterfront of Mumbai (Bombay), India. It was erected to commemorate the landing of George 5 for his coronation as the Emperor of India in December 1911.The final design of the monument by architect George Witten was sanctioned only in 1914, and construction was completed in 1924.
- Akshardham Temple, New Delhi
Swaminarayan Akshardham is a Hindu temple and spiritual-cultural campus in Delhi. The temple is close to the border with Noida. Also referred to as Akshardham Temple or Akshardham Delhi, the complex displays millennia of traditional and modern Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture. it was constructed by BAPS.It is the world’s second largest BAPS Hindu temple, following Akshardham , New Jersey in the United States
The Akshardham Mandir was designed by BAPS Swamis and Virendra Trivedi, a member of the Sompura family .It is entirely constructed from Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble .
- The Infosys headquarters in Bangalore
Infosys Limited is an Indian MNC of Technology sector that offers business consulting, information technology and outsourcing services. Its founders are N.R. Naryanan Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, Kris Gopalakrishnan and others.
The Infosys headquarters in Bangalore, India was designed by architect Hafeez Contractor . The campus is a showcase of modern Indian architecture, blending traditional and contemporary styles.
- IIT Bombay, Mumbai
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) are a network of engineering and technology institutions in India
IITs and their locations, sorted by date of establishment : IIT Kharagpur (WB), IIT bambay, IIT madras (TN)
IIT Bombay was the second IIT to be established in 1958 with assistance from UNESCO and with funds endowed by the Soviet Union(Russia)
Designed by JR Bhalla and BV Doshi, campus features modern, brutalist design with focus on functionality and sustainability.
- National museum New Delhi
The National Museum in New Delhi, also known as the National Museum of India, is one of the largest museums in India. Established in 1949, it holds a variety of articles ranging from the pre-historic era to modern works of art.
The current building of the National Museum was designed by the architect G.B. Dealalikar, and the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister J.L. Nehru on 12 May 1955.
- Rashtrapati bhawan
It was formerly known as Viceroy’s House was designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. The construction of the building took place between 1912 and 1929. It is a blend of Indian and Western architecture Styles featuring a mix of Mughal, Rajput and European elements. It is the official residence of the President of India.
It Consists of four floors and 340 rooms, with a floor area of 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) .
- Vidhan Sabha Bangalore
Vidhana Soudha (Legislative House) is a building in Bangalore, India which serves as the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. The building was constructed from white granite. It was designed in the neo-Dravidian architecture which includes elements of styles from various dynasties such as Chalukyas, Hoysalas and Vijaynagara. B.R. Manickam was the chief architect of Vidhana Soudha.
- The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad or IIM-A), is a business school, located in Ahmedabad. It is widely regarded as the leading business school in India, and one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. It was designed By Louis Kahn.
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is an Indian MNC specializing in information technology services and consulting. Headquartered in Mumbai, it is a part of the Tata group and operates in 150 locations across 46 countries. It is the second-largest Indian company by market capitalisation.
The architect for the Hiranandani TCS campus in Thane, also known as the TCS Olympus Centre, was Hafeez Contractor.
For the TCS Banyan Park campus in Mumbai, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners, in collaboration with Somaya & Kalappa Consultants, designed the master plan and architecture, emphasizing a modern, culturally-rooted, and landscape-harmonious design.
- The Oberoi Group is a luxury hotel group with its head office in New Delhi. The Oberoi, Mumbai, a prominent hotel on Marine Drive, was designed by Prabhat Patki .
- Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-Hyderabad or IIT-H) is a public technical university located in Kandi Village of the Sangareddy district in the Indian state of Telengana.
The academic building is designed by New Delhi-based ARCOP, and hostels, Lecture Hall, and academic departments by Pune-based acclaimed American architect Prof. C.C. Benninger This organic campus is divided into clusters of buildings being completed in phases starting in 2011. The campus is one of India’s best examples of Energy efficient , carbon neutral and sustainable architecture.
- NIFT was established in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It was declared a statutory institute in 2006. National Institute of Fashion Technology currently has 19 campuses spread across the country. The first campus was established in 1986 in Haus Khaz, New Delhi.
The building designed by Dr. B.V. Doshi is based on the concept of a central step-well to conserve rainwater, a traditional Indian Baoli, and is listed as one of the modern Iconic architecture of Delhi.
- Iskcon temple delhi
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is commonly referred to as the Hare Krishna movement.
The ISKCON Temple in Delhi is an exemplary model of modern Hindu temple architecture. Designed by the renowned architect Padma Shri Achyut Purushottam Kanvinde, the famous architect who won the Padma Shri in 1974. The temple merges traditional Hindu architectural elements with contemporary construction techniques.
16. BSE Limited, also known as the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), is an Indian stock exchange which is located on Dalal street. Established with the efforts of cotton merchant Premchand Roychand in 1875, it is the oldest stock exchange in Asia and also the tenth oldest in the world.The BSE is the world’s 6th largest stock exchange with a market capitalisation exceeding US$5 trillion on 21 May 2024. The Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers, popularly known by its original name of BSE Towers, is a 29-storey building in downtown Mumbai. The building is owned and occupied by the BSE. BSE has secured a trademark for its iconic building Its architect was Chandrakant Patel.
- National gallery of Modern Art Mumbai
National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai was established in 1996, with an intention to promote the modern trends in Indian culture. Located in Colaba in Southern Mumbai, the building was initially a concert venue, which was later made into an art gallery in 1954. The organisation, which has branches in Bangalore and New Delhi, boasts of art works from artists from India and all over the world including Gaganendranath Tagore, M.F. Hussain, F.N. Souza, Amrita Sher-Gil, Raja Ravi Varma to Picasso and Egyptian artefacts.
G.B. Mhatre was a renowned Indian architect who designed NGMA, Mumbai.
- IIM Lucknow
The 200-acre campus of IIM Lucknow, designed by Doshi, is considered a distinguished blueprint for future educational institutions in India.
The design draws inspiration from the traditional architectural elements of Lucknow, while also incorporating a forward-thinking and futuristic vision.
IIM Lucknow was established in 1984 and is currently a centrally funded institution. It is the fourth IIM to be established in India (after IIM Calcutta, IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore )
19. TCS Siruseri, Chennai
The Siruseri TCS IT Park is the largest IT facility in all Asian regions. Intelligently designed and developed in an eco-friendly way, this innovative design demonstrates environmentally-friendly processes, techniques and systems to meet the requisites for energy-efficient buildings.
ts architects were Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de Leon Architects
20. Wipro Bangalore
Wipro Limited is an Indian MNC based in Bengaluru. It provides IT, consulting and Business process services. It is one of the six leading Indian Big Tech companies others being TCS. INFOSYS, HCL TECH, Cognizant and Tech Mahindra.. Its owner was Azim Premji.
Wipro’s new global headquarters in Bangalore, known as Wipro House, was designed by Vidhur Bhardwaj & Associates and incorporates green architecture principles for energy efficiency and sustainability.
- Cybertecture egg mumbai
The Cybertecture Egg is a 13-story commercial building located in Bandra kurla complex Mumbai, India. Architect James Law designed the Cybertecture Egg along with O’ve Arup’s building systems and engineering firm. The building was designed with sustainability in mind and has 33,000 sqm of office space
- The Parliament building Chnadigarh
The Palace of Assembly is a building in Chandigarh, India which houses the Punjab Legislative Assembly and Haryana Legislative Assembly. It was designed by modernist architect Le Corbusier.
- INDIA International Centre New Delhi
The India International Centre (IIC) is a non-official organisation situated in New Delhi. Membership of the IIC includes artists, academicians, senior government officials, judges, jurists, parliamentarians, doctors, ministers, governors, social activists, journalists and persons from other domains
The centre’s main complex and its annex (located adjacent to Lodhi Gardens) were designed by the architect Joseph Allen Stein. it was inaugurated in 1962 by S. Radhakrishnan, the 2nd President of India.
- The Matrimandir Puducherry
The Matrimandir Puducherry is an edifice of spiritual significance for practitioners of integral yoga, in the centre of Auroville established by the mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is called Soul of the City and is situated in a large open space called Peace. Designed by the famous French architect Roger Anger, the construction of the Matrimandir started in January 1970. The Mother gave node to the final design in 1971 and it took almost 37 years to complete its structure. And finally, in the year 2008, it was officially inaugurated and opened to the public.
Featuring a lotus bud-shaped dome-styled spherical structure, the edifice of Matrimandir is unique in its own way. It presents a fine blend of traditional Indian and modern Western architecture, featuring a geodesic dome that is surrounded by twelve petals and boasts a meditation chamber made of white marble floor and walls.
25.The Asian Games Village is located in the Siri Fort area, near Hauz Khas in New Delhi. The site was developed as the athlete’s village for the 1982 Asian Games held in New Delhi. This site was designed by Raj Rewal . The village is the first of its kind in the games series.
26.St. John’s Syrian Malankara Catholic Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop in Tiruvalla. Designed by iconic architect Laurie Baker, the cathedral has a temple-like exterior but a conventional church interior. Aspects of traditional Kerala architecture, temple architecture and Eastern (Syrian) Christian tradition were integrated into the design. The exterior design incorporates elements from the architecture of the old cathedral that it replaced.
27.The Indian Coffee House in Trivandrum( now Thiruvananthapuram): Indian Coffee House is a restaurant chain in India operated by a series of worker cooperatives. It has a strong presence across India with around 500 coffee houses. It has been the center of communist and socialist movements for generations. Constructed in 1958, the Indian Coffee House in Trivandrum( now Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala, is one of the famous works of the British-born Indian architect Laurie Baker.
- Malabar Headquarters Calicut
A steep sloping site, facing the west presented a unique challenge for the design of the Malabar Group Headquarters at Calicut, in the tropical context of Kerala, India. The design is resolved as a series of levels along the contours which reduces the intervention on site to a minimum.
The lower four levels accommodate the parking and service areas, with an interesting pattern of terracotta jaalis and greenery defining the facade.
Stapati is an architecture practice established by Tony Joseph in 1989 who is he architect of this building.
- THE Naga Tower Gandhinagar
Described as the “Guardians of the City”, the 54-story Nāga Towers, designed as a modern Indian architectural interpretation the cherished Indian cultural symbol of the Nāga (snake) and is is just one of the many towers coming up in India’s largest greenfield megaproject, the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT).
The GIFT city is being masterplanned by East China Architectural Design & Research Institute ECADI, which is responsible for planning much of Shanghai, and Fairwood Consultants India, one of India’s largest and fastest growing consulting firms. The Naga towers are the architects’ interpretation of a very important cultural and religious symbol of India, the ‘Naga’ commonly known as the King Cobra snake.
- The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO), focusing on rocket and space vehicles for India’s satellite programme.It is located in Thiruvananthapuram in the Indian state of Kerala
It was renamed in honour of Vikram Sarabhai, often regarded as the father of the Indian space program. The space centre is the largest among the ISRO facilities. It is a centre for the design and development of satellite launch vehicles and associated technologies.
- Kerala space park Trivandrum
The Kerala Space Park aims to be an incubation and demonstration center for the space exploration industry, with a focus on passive sustainability and preserving the natural terrain. The park is envisioned as a hub for space-related technology, research, and development, attracting global startups in the space sector. The project is registered as a society under the name K-Space.
The Kerala Space Park in Trivandrum was designed by Design Forum International (DFI), focusing on a harmonious blend of innovative design, environmental consciousness, and sustainability.
- National institute of Design Ahmedabad
The National Institute of Design (NID) are a group of autonomous public design institute in India, with the first institute founded in 1961 in Ahmedabad. The National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad was conceptualized and its building designed by Gira Sarabhai and her brother Gautam Sarabhai, who also played a crucial role in establishing the institute’s academic curricula.
- Infosys campus mysuru
As the world’s largest corporate university, the Infosys Global Education Centre, located on a 337-acre campus, features 400 instructors and over 200 classrooms, adhering to international benchmarks. Established in 2002, it had trained approximately 125,000 engineering graduates by June 2015. The centre can accommodate and train up to 14,000 employees at any given time across various technologies.
The Infosys Leadership Institute (ILI), located in Mysuru, features 196 rooms and trains approximately 4,000 trainees annually. Its primary objective is to cultivate and develop senior leaders within Infosys, preparing them for both current and future executive roles.
The architect for Infosys’ Global Education Centre 2 (GEC 2) in Mysore, also known as the “Colosseum of Mysore,” is Hafeez Contractor.
- Aurika Mumbai Skycity Mumbai
The largest hotel in India is the *Aurika Mumbai Skycity*, located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This luxurious hotel boasts an impressive 669 rooms and suites, making it the largest hotel in India by room count
Aurika Mumbai Skycity is part of the Lemon Tree Hotels group and features a range of amenities.
Other notable mentions among India’s largest hotels include:
ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, with 600 rooms.
Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel (now rebranded as The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake) in Mumbai, Maharashtra
Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, Maharashtra
- AIIMS, New Delhi
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi was designed by the renowned architect Louis Kahn, in collaboration with Bimal Patel.
Louis Kahn, an American architect of Estonian origin, is famous for his modernist and monumental designs. The AIIMS campus, designed in the 1960s, reflects Kahn’s signature style, with:
Brutalist architecture: Exposed concrete and bold geometric forms
Monumental scale: Large, imposing buildings that evoke a sense of grandeur
Innovative use of natural light: Careful placement of windows, skylights, and courtyards to maximize natural light
The AIIMS campus has become an iconic example of modernist architecture in India, and its design continues to inspire architects and designers around the world.
- PGIMER, Chandigarh
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh was designed by the renowned architect Le Corbusier, along with Pierre Jeanneret.
- Amrita Hospital in Faridabad,
The largest hospital in Asia is the Amrita Hospital, located in Faridabad, India . This massive hospital has a capacity of 2,600 beds, with 81 specialties and 64 state-of-the-art operation theaters. It’s not only the largest hospital in Asia but also one of the world’s largest hospitals by capacity.
In India, some of the other largest hospitals include:
King George’s Medical University Lucknow: With 4,500 beds, this hospital is one of the largest in India .
Medanta – The Medicity Gurgaon: This hospital has a capacity of over 1,250 beds .
Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals: This hospital has a capacity of over 1,000 beds .
38. India Habitat Centre (1993), New Delhi – Designed by Joseph Allen Stein, this complex serves as a hub for cultural, social, and intellectual activities.
39. Kalakshetra (1964), Chennai, Tamil Nadu – Designed by K.S. Raman, this iconic building is a hub for traditional Indian arts.
40. The Imperial (2010), Mumbai, Maharashtra – Designed by Hafeez Contractor, this iconic building is a luxury residential complex.
41. Raj Ghat (1948), New Delhi – Designed by Vanu G. Bhuta, this memorial is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
42. Buddha Smriti Park (2013), Patna, Bihar – Designed by CPWD, this park is a memorial to Lord Buddha
43. National Library of India, Kolkata
The largest library in India is the National Library of India, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Established in 1948, it is not only the largest library in India but also one of the most important repositories of knowledge in the Asia-Pacific region.
Key Features:
1. Collection: The National Library of India has a vast collection of over 2.2 million books, journals, and other materials, including rare and ancient manuscripts.
2. Shelves: The library has over 45 km of shelves, making it one of the largest libraries in the world.
3. Reading Rooms: The library has several reading rooms, including a grand reading room with a capacity for over 500 readers.
4. Digital Resources: The library provides access to digital resources, including e-books, e-journals, and online databases.
- Indian Museum, Kolkata
The largest museum in India is the Indian Museum(formerly called Imperial Museum of Calcutta), located in Kolkata, West Bengal.
It is the ninth oldest museum in the world and the oldest and largest museum in Asia by size of collection.The Indian Museum originated from the Asiatic Society of Bengal which was created by Sir William Jones in 1784.
1. Established: 1814
2. Founder: Asiatic Society of Bengal
3. Collection: Over 1 lakh (100,000) artifacts
4. Galleries: 35 galleries
5. Exhibits: Include Indian art, archaeology, anthropology, geology, zoology, and botany
Some notable exhibits include:
– The Bharhut Stupa
– The Buddha’s relics
– Ancient Indian sculptures
– Egyptian mummies
– Indian textiles and handicrafts
It showcases the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
National Museum, New Delhi
– Established: 1949
– Collection: Over 2 lakh (200,000) artifacts
– Galleries: 16 galleries
– Exhibits: Include Indian art, archaeology, anthropology, and numismatics
45. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai
The iconic Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) building in Mumbai was designed by the renowned architect Khan Bahadur Minocher Rustom “Minnie” Masani*, in collaboration with the British architect George Wittet.
However, the main campus building, which is a significant part of the TIFR complex, was designed by the famous architect Charles Correa in the 1960s. Correa’s design for the TIFR campus has been widely acclaimed for its innovative and functional approach, creating a unique and inspiring environment for scientific research and discovery.
Established in 1945 by the Tata Group and the Government of India, TIFR is a National Centre of Excellence and a Deemed University.
Key Research Areas:
1. Theoretical Physics: TIFR is renowned for its research in theoretical physics, including cosmology, particle physics, and string theory.
2. Astrophysics: TIFR has a strong astrophysics program, with research focusing on cosmology, galaxy evolution, and stellar astrophysics.
3. Computer Science: TIFR’s Computer Science department conducts research in algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.
4. Biology: TIFR’s biology department focuses on research in molecular biology, cell biology, and neurobiology.
Notable Achievements:
1. Nuclear Physics Research: TIFR played a crucial role in India’s nuclear physics research, including the development of the country’s first nuclear reactor, Apsara.
2. Particle Accelerator Research: TIFR has developed several particle accelerators, including the Pelletron Accelerator.
3. Astrophysics Discoveries: TIFR researchers have made significant contributions to astrophysics, including the discovery of several exoplanets.
TIFR continues to be a hub for cutting-edge research in fundamental sciences, driving innovation and advancing our understanding of the universe.
46. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
BARC is India’s premier nuclear research facility, located in Trombay, Mumbai. Established in 1954, it is a constituent unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Key Objectives:
1. Nuclear Research: BARC conducts research in nuclear physics, chemistry, and engineering.
2. Nuclear Power BARC develops and operates nuclear reactors for power generation.
3. Nuclear Applications: BARC explores applications of nuclear energy in medicine, agriculture, and industry.
Notable Achievements:
1. Development of India’s first nuclear reactor: Apsara (1956)
2. Development of India’s first pressurized heavy water reactor: Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS)
3.Development of India’s first fast breeder test reactor: FBTR (1985)
BARC’s contributions to India’s Nuclear Program:
1. Nuclear Power Generation: BARC has played a crucial role in developing India’s nuclear power program.
2. Nuclear Research and Development: BARC has conducted pioneering research in nuclear physics, chemistry, and engineering.
3. Nuclear Applications: BARC has developed various nuclear applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry.
BARC continues to play a vital role in India’s nuclear program, driving innovation and advancement in nuclear research and development.
The architect behind the iconic Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) building is Charles Correa, a renowned Indian architect.
Charles Correa, who is considered one of India’s greatest architects, designed the BARC building in the 1950s. The building’s design reflects Correa’s signature style, which blends modernism with Indian architectural traditions.
Correa’s design for the BARC building has been widely acclaimed for its innovative blend of modernism and Indian architectural traditions. The building has become an iconic symbol of Indian architecture and a testament to Correa’s enduring legacy.
