10 Top Architecture Firms in India; 2025 Review
India’s architectural landscape is both vast and dynamic, reflecting the nation’s rich cultural heritage and rapid urban development. As of December 1, 2024, the country boasts 14,549 architecture firms, marking a 5.31% increase from the previous year. Notably, 93.81% of these firms operate as single-owner establishments, while the remaining 6.19% are part of larger brands. The states leading in the number of architecture firms are Maharashtra with 2,180, Uttar Pradesh with 1,666, and Tamil Nadu with 1,551.
Despite this growth, there remains a significant demand for architectural services. The Council of Architecture estimates a shortfall of approximately half a million architects, underscoring the profession’s critical role in India’s ongoing urbanization and infrastructure development.
Among the multitude of firms, several have distinguished themselves through innovative designs, sustainable practices, and significant contributions to the built environment. For instance, DSP Design Associates, with a fee income ranging from $30 million to $39 million, ranks among the top global architecture firms, highlighting India’s presence on the international architectural stage.
This article delves into the top architecture firms in India, exploring their unique design philosophies, landmark projects, and the impact they have on shaping the nation’s architectural identity.
Top Architecture Firms in India
India’s architectural landscape is enriched by numerous firms that blend innovation with cultural heritage. Here are some of the top architecture firms in India, including Sanjay Puri Architects, Architecture BRIO, Gaurav Roy Choudhury Architects, The Purple Ink Studio, Studio Lotus, Morphogenesis, Studio Ardete Pvt Ltd, Abin Design Studio, CP Kukreja Architects, and Hafeez Contractor.
1. Sanjay Puri Architects
Sanjay Puri Architects, based in Mumbai, India, is a distinguished architecture firm renowned for its innovative and sustainable design solutions. Established in 1992, the firm has garnered international acclaim, securing over 360 awards, including 246 international architecture awards.
The firm’s design philosophy emphasizes creating contextual and revolutionary spaces that enhance user experiences. Their portfolio spans various sectors, including residential, hospitality, commercial, and educational projects. Notable works include the ’72 Screens’ residence and the ‘Bombay Arts Society’ building, both exemplifying their commitment to innovative design.
Sanjay Puri, the principal architect, has been a prominent figure in the global architectural community. He has served on the jury of the World Architecture Festival since 2010, being the first Indian architect to do so, and has participated in various international architecture conventions.
The firm’s dedication to sustainable and contextually responsive architecture has positioned it among the top architecture firms worldwide, as recognized by platforms like Architizer and ArchDaily.
Top Projects:
- The Street
- The Rajasthan School, Rajasthan
- Studios 90, Karnataka
2. Architecture BRIO
Architecture BRIO is an international architecture firm with offices in Mumbai, India, and Rotterdam, Netherlands. Founded in 2006, the firm focuses on architecture, interior, and sustainable design, aiming to create contextually appropriate solutions within an ever-changing world.
The architecture firm is led by principals Robert Verrijt, a graduate of the Technical University Delft in the Netherlands, and Shefali Balwani, an alumna of the Center for Environmental Planning and Technology in India. Their combined expertise drives the firm’s commitment to innovative and sustainable design practices.
Architecture BRIO’s portfolio encompasses a diverse range of projects, including residential, institutional, cultural, hospitality, and educational developments. Notable projects include the ‘House on a Stream’ in Alibag, the ‘Riparian House’ in Karjat, and the ‘Mumbai Artist Retreat’ in Alibag. These projects exemplify the architecture firm’s dedication to integrating architecture with the natural environment, often incorporating sustainable materials and flood-resilient designs.
The architecture firm’s work has been recognized with several awards, such as the NDTV Design and Architecture of the Year Awards and the Trends Excellence Awards. Additionally, Architecture BRIO has been featured in the AD50 list of the most influential names in Indian architecture and design.
Top Projects:
- House on a Stream
- Casa BRIO
3. Gaurav Roy Choudhury Architects
Gaurav Roy Choudhury Architects (GRCA) is an exclusive architectural practice based in Bangalore, India. Founded in 2007, the firm focuses on a limited number of projects to ensure deep engagement with design, detail, and execution.
GRCA’s portfolio encompasses a diverse range of projects, including residential, commercial, and industrial architecture. The architecture firm emphasizes creating thought-provoking, cost-effective designs that are contextually appropriate and innovative.
One of their notable projects is the ‘Veiled House,’ which showcases the firm’s commitment to integrating traditional design elements with contemporary architecture.
The firm’s design philosophy centers on articulating various movements that assimilate context, taking project briefs from the “said” to the “unsaid.” GRCA strives to absorb all domains of influence and exposure, aiming to redefine honest architecture through a process of reinvention and storytelling.
Top Projects:
- Aadyam House, Bangalore, India, 2018
- Inside Out House, Sadahalli, Bangalore, India, 2018
- Veiled House, Kundapura, India, 2022
4. The Purple Ink Studio
The Purple Ink Studio, established in 2011 in Bengaluru, India, is a multifaceted architecture practice recognized for its young, experimental, and ambitious approach to design.
The studio’s design philosophy emphasizes creating architecture that is contextual and unburdened by normalcy—free yet bound, exuberant yet layered, liberated yet deeply rooted.
Their portfolio encompasses a diverse range of projects, including residential, commercial, and educational developments. Notable works include the ‘IDYLLL Restaurant and Bar’ in Bengaluru, which showcases the studio’s commitment to crafting sensory experiences through design.
The Purple Ink Studio’s innovative approach has been featured in various architecture and design publications, highlighting their contributions to contemporary Indian architecture.
Top Projects:
- MSAP – Manipal School of Architecture & Planning, Manipal, India, 2022
- Project 58 Residence, Bangalore, India, 2023
- Brick House, Mangalore, India, 2024
5. Studio Lotus
Studio Lotus, founded in 2002 by Ambrish Arora, Ankur Choksi, and Sidhartha Talwar, is a multidisciplinary design practice based in New Delhi, India. The architecture firm is renowned for its conscious design philosophy, emphasizing contextual sensitivity, sustainable practices, and the integration of local crafts to create immersive, tactile spaces.
The studio’s portfolio encompasses a diverse range of projects, including architecture, interiors, and adaptive reuse, with a focus on sectors such as hospitality, institutional, corporate, cultural, mixed-use, and residential developments. Notable projects include the Mehrangarh Fort Visitor Centre, the Earth and Glass House, and The Nest, each reflecting the firm’s commitment to creating meaningful and contextually responsive designs.
Studio Lotus has received numerous accolades for its innovative work, including recognition at the World Architecture Festival, Dezeen Awards, and features in various international design publications.
Top Projects:
- Krushi Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, India, 2019
- House in a Garden, Goodlands, Mauritius, 2018
- Villa in the Woods, Matial, Uttarakhand, India, 2020
6. Morphogenesis
Morphogenesis, established in 1996 by Manit and Sonali Rastogi, is a leading architectural and urban design firm based in New Delhi, India, with additional offices in Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru.
The architecture firm is renowned for its commitment to sustainable architecture, often integrating traditional design elements with modern technology to create environmentally responsive solutions.
Their diverse portfolio includes notable projects such as the Pearl Academy in Jaipur, the Infosys campus in Nagpur, and the Surat Diamond Bourse, which has been recognized as the world’s largest office building.
These projects exemplify Morphogenesis’s dedication to innovative design and sustainability.
The firm’s work has been acknowledged with numerous awards, including the World Architecture Festival Award in 2009 and the SIA-GETZ Architecture Prize in 2014.
Their projects have been featured in various international publications, highlighting their influence on contemporary architecture.
Top Projects:
- Pearl Academy of Fashion, Jaipur, India, 2008
- The Woodside, Kasauli, India, 2016
- Infosys Campus, Nagpur, India, 2023
7. Studio Ardete Pvt Ltd
Studio Ardete Pvt Ltd, founded in 2010 by architects Badrinath Kaleru and Prerna Kaleru, is an award-winning architectural and interior design firm based in Chandigarh, India. The studio is renowned for its innovative and unconventional designs that transcend mere functionality, aiming to create immersive works of art that enhance the lives of their occupants.
The firm’s diverse portfolio includes projects across various sectors, such as residential, commercial, institutional, and hospitality.
Studio Ardete’s work has been featured in various international publications, highlighting their influence on contemporary architecture. The firm has also been recognized with several awards, underscoring their commitment to excellence in design.
Top Projects:
- Hexalace
- Timber Rhyme
- Boston Bites
8. Abin Design Studio
Abin Design Studio, founded in October 2005 by Abin Chaudhuri, is a prominent architecture firm based in Kolkata, India. The studio is renowned for its innovative approach, blending contemporary design with traditional Indian aesthetics to create spaces that are both functional and culturally resonant.
The firm’s portfolio encompasses a diverse range of projects, including residential, commercial, and institutional developments.
Abin Design Studio’s work has been featured in various international publications, highlighting their influence on contemporary architecture. The firm maintains an active presence on social media, sharing insights into their projects and design philosophy.
Top Projects:
- Gallery House
- Sanctuary Experience Center
9. CP Kukreja Architects
C P Kukreja Architects (CPKA) is a prominent multi-disciplinary design firm established in 1969 by architect C. P. Kukreja. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, with an additional office in New York, USA, the firm has grown to employ over 200 professionals.
CPKA offers a comprehensive range of services, including architecture, urban design, engineering, project management, and sustainability consulting. Their expertise encompasses master planning, urban planning, smart city planning, infrastructure planning, architectural and interior design, structural design, and sustainable solutions.
CPKA has received numerous accolades, including being listed among the Top 100 Global Architects in 2022 by BD Online UK and winning the HUDCO Design Award 2020 for the HRRL Township in Barmer, Rajasthan.
The architecture firm maintains an active online presence, sharing insights and updates through platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
CPKA’s commitment to sustainable and contextually relevant design has positioned them as a leading architecture firm both in India and internationally.
Top Projects:
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
- Yashobhoomi – India International Convention and Expo Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi
- India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai
10. Hafeez Contractor
Hafeez Contractor, born on June 19, 1950, in Mumbai, is a prominent Indian architect renowned for his significant contributions to contemporary architecture in India. He completed his graduate diploma in architecture from the University of Mumbai in 1975 and later earned a master’s degree from Columbia University on a Tata scholarship.
In 1982, Contractor established his own architecture firm, which has since become one of India’s largest architectural practices.
His portfolio includes designing some of India’s tallest buildings, such as The Imperial towers in Mumbai and The 42 in Kolkata.
His work spans various sectors, including residential, commercial, educational, and infrastructural projects.
Contractor’s architectural style is characterized by its adaptability and responsiveness to client needs, often incorporating modern aesthetics with functional design. In recognition of his contributions to architecture, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2016.
Beyond his architectural practice, Contractor has been vocal about urban planning and sustainable development in India, advocating for designs that address the country’s unique environmental and social challenges.
Top Projects:
- The Imperial Towers, Mumbai, India, 2010
- 23 Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2012
- DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, India, 2008
Resources: aaup | architizer | archdaily | rethinking the future | archello | Architecture Brio | GRCA | Design Boom | World Brand Design | The Purple Ink Studio | Morphogenesis | Architect Magazine