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Brinda Somaya is a pioneering Indian architect, conservationist, and urbanist whose career has spanned over four decades. Known for her deep commitment to blending traditional Indian architecture with modernist design principles, Somaya has significantly influenced contemporary architectural discourse in India. Her work embodies a rare fusion of cultural heritage, sustainability, and innovation, reflecting not only aesthetic brilliance but also social responsibility. From restoring ancient buildings to designing cutting-edge campuses, Brinda Somaya’s journey is a testament to how architecture can be a force for preservation, empowerment, and progress.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1949 in Mumbai into a family that encouraged creativity and intellectual pursuit, Brinda Somaya was exposed to art, literature, and culture from an early age. Her upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for India’s diverse heritage, which would later become central to her architectural philosophy.
Somaya pursued her undergraduate degree in architecture from Sir J.J. College of Architecture in Mumbai, one of India’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. Her quest for deeper knowledge took her to the United States, where she earned a Master’s degree in Architecture from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. This international education broadened her perspective, exposing her to global architectural practices while reinforcing the importance of rooted, contextual design.
Establishing Her Practice: Somaya and Kalappa Consultants
In 1978, after returning to India, Brinda Somaya established her own practice, Somaya and Kalappa Consultants (SNK), in Mumbai. At a time when the architectural profession in India was heavily male-dominated, her entry and rise in the field were groundbreaking. She began her career modestly, operating out of a garden shed in her backyard, and gradually built a reputation for integrity, creativity, and contextual sensitivity.
Her firm’s philosophy is succinctly captured in her own words: “The architect’s role is that of a guardian; he or she is the conscience of the built and un-built environment.” This guiding belief has informed every project she has undertaken—urban planning, institutional buildings, cultural preservation, and rural development initiatives.
Career Highlights and Contributions
Over the years, Brinda Somaya has completed a diverse array of projects across India and abroad. Her work includes corporate campuses, educational institutions, public spaces, and the conservation of historic structures. Notably, she has often taken on projects in challenging settings—rural areas, post-disaster zones, and urban slums—emphasizing community involvement and sustainability.
A few of her prominent works include:
- The rehabilitation of Bhadli Village in Gujarat after the 2001 earthquake.
- The design of the Nalanda International School in Vadodara.
- The Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) campus in Indore and Banyan Park in Mumbai.
- Conservation of the St. Thomas Cathedral in Mumbai and the historic Louis Kahn buildings at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
In addition to her architectural practice, Somaya has served in various leadership roles. In 2016, she became the first woman to chair the Board of Governors at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. She has also been a trustee of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and has spoken extensively at international conferences on architecture and conservation.
Best Project in Detail: Restoration of IIM Ahmedabad’s Louis Kahn Buildings
One of Brinda Somaya’s most celebrated and complex projects is the conservation and restoration of the iconic Louis Kahn-designed buildings at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. This project stands out not only for its architectural significance but also for its philosophical and cultural depth.
Background
The original IIM Ahmedabad campus was designed in the 1960s by American architect Louis Kahn, one of the most revered modernist architects of the 20th century. The campus became iconic for its monumental brickwork, deep arches, and geometrical precision, blending functionality with a timeless aesthetic.
By the early 2000s, the buildings had begun to deteriorate due to environmental wear and inadequate maintenance. Rather than demolish or radically alter them, IIM Ahmedabad made the bold and sensitive choice to conserve them. Brinda Somaya was selected to lead this highly significant task, owing to her expertise in conservation and her deep respect for heritage architecture.
The Challenge and Approach
Restoring a Louis Kahn masterpiece required not only technical expertise but also an understanding of the original design intent. The project involved addressing structural weaknesses, repairing damaged brickwork, upgrading building services, and ensuring compliance with modern safety and environmental standards—all while preserving the integrity of Kahn’s vision.
Somaya approached the project with immense reverence and rigor. She and her team carried out exhaustive documentation, archival research, and material studies. Skilled artisans were employed to replicate the craftsmanship of the original construction, especially in the exposed brickwork that defines Kahn’s style. Great care was taken to ensure that new materials and techniques blended seamlessly with the old.
One of the most significant aspects of the project was the dialogue it created between past and present—how a 21st-century Indian firm could responsibly intervene in a 20th-century American architect’s legacy without overshadowing it.
Recognition and Impact
The restoration of the IIM Ahmedabad campus has been internationally recognized as a model for architectural conservation. It demonstrated that modernist architecture, too often undervalued in the conservation world, deserves preservation as cultural heritage. Somaya’s work on this project reinforced her reputation as a guardian of India’s built legacy and a global thought leader in architectural ethics.
Legacy and Influence
Brinda Somaya’s career is a beacon for future generations of architects, particularly women, who see in her a model of courage, creativity, and social consciousness. She has continuously emphasized the human dimension of architecture—how buildings affect lives, communities, and identities. Her work transcends style or trend; it is rooted in place, culture, and compassion.
In 2022, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) honored her with the RIBA International Fellowship—one of the highest accolades in the profession, recognizing her contributions to architecture on a global scale.
Conclusion
Brinda Somaya’s story is not just one of professional success but also of philosophical depth and cultural stewardship. Her architecture speaks not only in form and space but in values—inclusivity, responsibility, and heritage. At a time when rapid urbanization threatens both identity and sustainability, architects like Somaya remind us that building for the future also means preserving the past and empowering the present. Her work continues to inspire, educate, and uplift, carving a path for an architecture that is as meaningful as it is beautiful.
