Ar. Brinda Somaya is one of the most respected names in Indian architecture and urban conservation. Since establishing her practice as Somaya & Kalappa in 1978, Somaya has achieved a level of accomplishment and accolades that few women practitioners have enjoyed. Her projects include institutional campuses, public spaces, and historical building restorations. With a design approach that integrates contemporary architecture with cultural traditions, Somaya has dedicated her career to creating spaces that respect both the heritage and social dynamics of the communities they serve. Nandini Sampat – Somaya’s daughter and Principal Architect at the rechristened firm of Somaya Sampat – is carrying forward the legacy of responsible, sustainable, and culturally sensitive architecture and has, over time, made herself indispensable to the practice.

“I believe that architects shouldn’t confine themselves to any particular ‘style’ of building as this hinders their creativity. Architecture should be contextual, innovative and harmonize with the local idioms. It should respond to the environment, be user-friendly and be reflective of the client’s personality.”

“I believe…that God is in the details. To me, architecture is far more than the art of creating structures; it’s about weaving stories… stories that come alive in the subtle details - the alignment of lines, the interplay of light and shadow, the tactile richness of materials, and the seamless integration of form and function. It is in these details, often overlooked, that design transcends the ordinary and becomes extraordinary.”

Founder and principal architect of Malik Architecture, Kamal Malik was born and raised in Shimla in the pristine environs of the Himalayas; and nature remains his constant source of his inspiration. In the five decades of his career, the prolific architect, a graduate of SPA, Delhi - has attempted to develop a contemporary design syntax for the Indian subcontinent, by approaching architecture as a synthesis of ‘ecology’ and ‘spirit’. While ecology speaks of a seamless, cohesive and integrated approach to design, spirit implies balance, understanding and tranquillity. Malik Architecture has designed some very prominent buildings in India; however it is Kamal Malik’s ongoing discourse with life that is a privilege to know and understand.

I believe… that modernism will never perish. I am often asked how long the modernist style will last and I always say that anything rational and logical is forever; it will always have a place in design.