12 Contemporary Architecture Buildings in India After Independence

1. National Cooperative Developmental Corporation, Delhi

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Built under Kuldip Singh and Mahendra Raj in 1980, this building was a fresh and complex face in the skyline of Delhi. The two wings of the structure, connected by a central corridor put up an excellent show of modern and brutalist architecture. The building’s physicality, much like its name, portrays a sense of cooperation between its two wings and is also famously called as the ‘pyjama’ building by locals and auto wallas for the building’s resemblance to a pair of pyjamas. Again, it is interesting that a predominantly brutalist building has a comical sense of humour to it.

2. Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur

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Charles Correa, one of the pioneers of modern Indian architecture designed the Jawahar Kala Kendra in 1986 as a museum which was also a building of cultural significance. The ideation of the structure is derived from the original ‘Navgraha’ (nine planets) concept, which is also what the planning of Jaipur city itself is based on. The structure has an interesting, yet simple to understand plan with 9 squares, one of which is askew. The central square is left open to the sky and thus becomes a gathering space, much like the city plan of Jaipur. It is the warmth of the red sandstone of Jaipur used primarily throughout the structure paired with the navgraha signages that make the Kala Kendra a unique correspondent to our country.

3. IIM, Ahmedabad

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Built between 1962-74 by Louis Kahn, this building would be a benchmark for numerous educational buildings in India. The structure, with its geometric openings, giant monolithic volumes and commendable harmony of material and landscape portrays a deep understanding of form and function whist creating extraordinary spaces. The use of brickwork in a building as large and significant as itself speaks of humility that must also affect the lives of the students of the institute. It is perhaps this educative quality of modern buildings that make them modern.

4. Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore

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The Vidhana Soudha is one of those Indian modern architectural buildings that speak loudly of our roots. Completed in 1956, it is one of the most important and stunning buildings in the state of Karnataka. A single look at this structure will instantly remind the viewer of an ancient Dravidian temple fused with a parliament. This style, termed as Neo-Dravidian architecture is a tasteful blend of the Dravidian, Indo-Islamic and British; of our old and new.

5. Indian Coffee House, Trivandrum

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Built-in 1958, this is one of Laurie Baker’s most renowned works. The structure has a unique spiraling form which was quite unforeseen in the city’s existing hardscape. The building shows a strong continuation of Laurie Baker’s materiality and his amusing language of brick openings. This contemporary building, serving as an eatery in a busy location was quickly accepted and made one with the rest of the surroundings due to its immense functionality and simplicity.

6. Jnana Pravah Centre for Cultural Studies, Varanasi

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One of B.V. Doshi’s lesser-known projects, this institute built in 1999 is a fascinating example of contemporary buildings in India. The building has a very warm and inviting appeal to it owing to minimalism and to the use of bricks. The institute is structurally dynamic and conceptually aligned to form two footprints slightly apart, significant of Shiva and Parvati. The building has different experiences when viewed from the front and back both in terms of physicality and its visual relation with the surrounding.

7. Matrimandir in Auroville, Puducherry

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Roger Anger, the chief architect of Auroville, constructed the Matrimandir, which translates to ‘the dwelling place of the mother. The Matrimandir, built in 2008, is a very popular tourist site and is where many people come to find their ‘consciousness’. Apart from its spiritual value, the Matrimandir is essentially a geodesic dome made from gold discs that reflect sunlight and make the dome radiate like a treasure chest. This is yet another example of the synergy of concept and form that gives rise to contemporary architecture.

8. Cybertecture Egg, Mumbai

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The Cybertecture Egg, designed by James Law, is a smart commercial building with yet another unique form that closely resembles an egg. While the building looks globally fancy, it will also make for a net-zero office with a significantly less carbon footprint. The concept of the egg was to signify a vessel, much like the earth, within which is an ecosystem that is self-sufficient and responsible. In term of form too, the egg enables to have horizontal slabs, which are usual to office spaces, whilst being in a shell of a diagrid exoskeleton of glass and steel. This exoskeleton proves to eventually use up a lot less material than usual orthogonal building facades. All the features of this remarkable structure not only make it contemporary but also sustainable.

9. Lotus Temple, Delhi

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Designed by Fariborz Sahba in 1986, the Lotus Temple is another one of the most known structures of contemporary architecture in India and also one of the most visited religious destinations in the world. The temple with its 27 marble petals resembles the Lotus flower (biomimicry), which is considered sacred by a number of Indians. The interiors fashion a splendid ribbed roof along with other expressionist features and lighting. The majesty of the temple is raised exponentially due to the vast plot it is set in and its breath-taking landscape.

10. Malabar Headquarters, Calicut

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Designed by Stapati and completed in 2018, the Malabar Headquarters is situated on a heavily contoured site in Calicut. The design is spread over a large plot and has been optimised to minimalize on-site intervention, due to which the terrain retains its original undulating qualities. The front façade has a strong yet porous emergence due to the jali work and use of foliage. This use of greenery is constantly seen in the interiors as well; so much that there is a calming sense of the outdoor within the structure too. The topmost layer is fitted with photovoltaic panels on a landscaped slope. The ability of this structure to be glamorous whilst being immensely responsive to its surrounding is what makes it pre-eminently contemporary.

11. Rajkumari Rajnavati Girl’s School, Jaisalmer

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Completed in 2021 and designed by Diana Kellog Architects, this school in the arid desert region of North India is a contemporary genius. The elliptical form, while reminiscent of strength and femininity is also symbolic of the sand dunes of Jaisalmer (biomimicry) and more so due to the materiality of the local sandstone which is hand-carved by local craftsmen. The planning is simple and the use of jalis keeps the structure well-ventilated, cool, and void of sand within. The easy dynamism of the structure is perhaps not as powerful as the empowerment that has been brought about by this school.

12. Antilia, Mumbai

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Home to India’s beloved billionaire Mukesh Ambani and family, Antilia is a residential property like none other. The 173m high building, designed by Perkins + Wills and completed in 2010 boasts of ballrooms, hanging gardens, and whatnots all under one roof. The peculiar folding form of the structure with giant slanting columns makes it a unique addition to Mumbai’s skyline. The form of the building, although contemporary in sight, is also allegedly said to be so due to the influence of Vastu in the designs. 

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