“Five Decades of India’s Built Environment”- Book authored by Starchitect Dikshu C Kukreja and Arunima Kukreja

A compendium capturing transformations that have reshaped India's urban environment over the past five decades. New Delhi, 3rd December, 2021: Five Decades of India's Built Environment, a book authored by Mr. Dikshu C Kukreja and Arunima Kukreja was launched at FOAID (Festival of Architecture and Interior Designing) on 3rd December 2021, at NSIC Okhla Grounds, New Delhi. The guests were welcomed with an exhibition launch, celebrating Five Decades of India's Built Environment through CP Kukreja Architect's works. The conference commenced with renowned TV anchor and editor Ms. Manisha Natrajan's firing Q&A session with the star architect of the evening Mr. Dikshu C. Kukreja. The much-awaited book ‘Five Decades of India's Built Environment' was launched by Mr. Dikshu Kukreja, Principal Architect, CP Kukrejal Architects, Ms. Arunima Kukreja, Mr. Habeeb Khan, President, Council of Architecture, Abha Narain Lambah, Conservation Architect and Historic Building Consultant and Prof Vivek Sabherwal, Director of Apeejay School of Architects. The eminent panelists of the evening Mr. Habeeb Khan, Abha Narain Lambah & Prof Vivek Sabherwal joined Ms. Manisha Natrajan and Mr. Dikshu Kukreja to discuss the transformations that have taken place across India's built landscape in the past five decades. Reinterpreting the theme through a fashion walk, the students of Sushant School of Art and Architecture and Apeejay School of Architecture, brought cultural flare to the show. The show was exclusively designed to showcase the journey of Indian design and architecture post-independence and was applauded by present Industry experts. Mr. Dikshu C Kukreja, Principal Architect of CP Kukreja Architects said ‘I think today, this evening was an amazing amalgamation of what architecture can do, crossing all kinds of frontiers. Not only the architecture fraternity has come together in a very successful manner to celebrate 50 years of the built environment through the lenses of the firm of CP Kukreja Architects, but also the students of architecture of different colleges. They have put together a stupendous performance, amalgamating fashion and architecture. I am truly delighted by the outcome of this evening and I wish everyone the very best. About Dikshu C. Kukreja: Dikshu C. Kukreja received his B.Arch Honours as Gold Medalist from the School of Planning & Architecture. He attended the prestigious Tales in Fellowship at Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, USA, and received his Masters of Architecture & Urban Design from Harvard University. He has been recently featured amongst the top 100 architects in the world by the International Union of Architects (UIA). One of his prestigious projects, the India Pavilion, has been recognised as one of the best pavilions at the Expo 2020, Dubai, by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).98898u8u89 About the book: India has been historically known for its repertoire in architecture and design. Post-Independence, the country struggled to come to its feet in terms of policies, economic direction, and infrastructural development. Nonetheless, the country has witnessed tremendous transformation in its built environment in the past five decades. Most projects in the seventies focused on providing housing and building townships, establishing industries and offices to provide work, and setting up institutions to empower people with education. With the onset of the eighties, the focus expanded to designing cultural centers and embassies and interweaving them into the urban fabric. The nineties opened up opportunities in the country post-liberalization. One could sense a significant shift in the architectural design language, albeit retaining the vernacular sensibilities. Integration of a redefined ideology into the building's fabric reformed working spaces, industrial facilities, institutional designs as well as façades of buildings. This period also showcased newness in building materials. A decade into the new millennium, technology metamorphosed by upgrading the functions and design sensibilities it was able to bring into architecture. Promoting sustainable development, the designs reflect a futuristic aesthetic where the structures are responsive to their environment. At the same time, the designs are also curated to address the present-day issues, bringing with them a sense of responsibility. In a surge for meaningful design responses in India's urban environment, while imbibing the tenets of sustainability, this book captures the transformations that have taken place in the country.