WINNERS- 2025
Ar. Neeraj Manchanda
New Delhi
Architect of
the Year
Prof. (Ar.) Rajnish Wattas
Chandigarh
Educator
Ar. (Prof.) Charanjit Singh Shah
New Delhi
Practicing Architect
Ar. Hem Raj Yadav,
Panchkula, Haryana
Public Service Government Architect
Ar. Achal Choudhary,
Indore, MP
Boundless Achievement as an Architect
Winners- 2024
Ar. Gurmeet Sangha Rai
Conservation Architect and Founder – Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative (CRCI)
The Architect has taken a road less travelled. When the profession was expanding the realms of the future, the Architect turned the gaze to the things we will lose if not taken care off. Struggling alone to resurrect the past, the Architect has dedicated her craft to raise the cultural consciousness of a wounded civilization.
Just hold breath for the breathtaking Achievements of PHDCCI AER Architect of the Year 2024 Ar.
Gurmeet Sangha Rai!!
Architect of
the Year
Ar. Bhumit Shah
Principal architect and Founder – 18 STUDIOS
Architect Under 40
Professor Neelkanth Chhaya
Retired as Dean Faculty of Architecture, CEPT University, Ahmedabad
Professor Chhaya’s dedication to teaching, research, and community engagement has had a profound impact on the field of architecture. His expertise in Indian architectural traditions and his commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive built environment have inspired countless students and professionals.
From his work at CEPT University to his contributions to community-based projects, Professor Chhaya’s legacy will continue to shape the future of architecture in India.
Educator
Late Ar. Nimish Patel and Ar. Parul Zaveri
Founded Abhikram and Practicing since 1979
This esteemed duo has made a significant contribution to the field of architecture, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. Their unwavering commitment to excellence and their passion for the Craft has given us landmarks and iconic structures that showcase the achievement of India’s rich architectural heritage. They have over the years created a path that will guide the practitioners of Architecture to expand the realms of civilization.
From their award-winning projects to their mentorship and advocacy for sustainable practices, Late Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri have truly made a difference.
Practicing Architect
Ar. Kamalpreet Singh
Former Special Dir. Gen. WR, CPWD, Mumbai
Public Service Government Architect
Ar. Premendra Raj Mehta
Owner, Design Action Group (DAG)
Ar. Premendra Raj Mehta has a Midas Touch in every field he engaged himself in. Through his distinguished career as an architect and educator has made an extraordinary contribution to the fields of architecture, education, and public service. From his leadership roles in regulatory bodies to his extensive research and advocacy work, Ar. Premendra Raj Mehta has had a profound impact not just on the built environment but as a humanitarian, Guide and mentor.
His able handling of critical roles has cleared the pathways for young and upcoming professionals. His interventions in various facets of our profession have opened doors and reinforced faith in the Craft of Architecture.
Boundless Achievement as an Architect
Winners- 2023
AR. SANGEET SHARMA
Ladies and gentlemen and fellow enthusiasts of architectural brilliance, the Time has come to Present to you the Architect of the Year 2023.
The Recipient of this Year’s recognition is a Storyteller of sorts. He speaks without words but through forms and shapes that convey the pinnacle of aspiration of the Users of his structures. His Creations lift the Spirits and inspire to achieve the forbidden. In his hands the mundane manifests into an exemplary existence.
For this extraordinary Flair at the Craft of Architecture the AER JURY 2023 Adjudged AR. SANGEET SHARMA as the Architect of the Year 2023.
Architect of
the Year
AR. AMAN SOHAL
It is a Great Privilege to introduce you to the “AER Harbinger of Change’ for the Year 2023. This Young Architect has impressed all with his unique approach and style of response to Architecture Challenges. This evening you have had a glimpse of his work.
His creations are alive they breath, they play, they meditate. We are sure that in the coming years his signatures will be near the edge of Sheets bearing the most fascinating Architectural Designs of our times.
With a Huge Round of Applause please Celebrate AR. AMAN SOHAL as the AER Harbinger of Change 2023.
Architect Under 40
Ar. Prof. Ram Sharma
Ar. Prof. Ram Sharma, an octogenarian, is a well-known architect of India. He completed his architecture from the erstwhile Delhi Polytechnic of the Delhi University ( now SPA New Delhi ) way back in the year 1957. He then went to the USA to study further. He received a post graduate degree in landscape architecture from the Harvard University. He also received another degree from the Pratt Institute. He spent around 4 decades, teaching at SPA New Delhi as well as practicing in New Delhi.
Thousands of well-known architects in India and outside today are all his students ! Amongst several well known projects, The Museum of Man in Bhopal, Nehru Park in Delhi and the LG Bungalow in Delhi were designed by him. He was also later appointed as the Chairman of the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. Prof. Ram Sharma was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Indian Institute of Architects. He is well known in the community as one of the finest teachers of architecture in the country.
Educator
Ar. Namita Singh
Ar. Namita Singh Graduated from Chandigarh College of Architecture in the Year 1970. She and Her Husband Satnam Singh decided to enter the practice through the firm Satnam Namita and Associates. In a Career spanning more than 5 decades, she has her signatures on a number of Architectural Gems dotting the Landscape in India and across the World.
We at PHD Chambers, Chandigarh have a special connection; our Office Building in Sector – 31 too bears her signature.
Blessed with a multi-faceted Personality, she has a wide Varity of interests which adds value to every person she meets. Over the Years, she has emerged as a role model for Women stepping into the field of Architecture.
A Guru, A Guide and A Great Human at Heart that is AR. NAMITA SINGH; We are honoured that the AER
Jury has conferred the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – PRACTICING ARCHITECT for the Year 2023 to her.
Practicing Architect
Ar. Sumit Kaur
Ar. Sumit Kaur, Graduated from the Chandigarh College of Architecture, with the Class of 1977 and did her Master’s in Urban Design in 1979 from School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi.
A Town Planner at heart joined the Department of Urban Planning, Chandigarh Administration and Years later Headed the Department as the Chief Architect for a Period of 6 Years. You may not have noticed but it is the Vision of Madam Sumit Kaur that has shaped the lives people live in this great City of Chandigarh.
She has her signatures on the Defining structures of the City, Offices and Commercial Areas, Hospitals, Bus Stands, you name it.
As an expert at Landscaping she has overseen the creation of Iconic Parks and landscapes surrounding us which we enjoy as the denizens of this city. The PHD HOUSE situated on the Japanese Garden Road, Sec 31, is situated on the Road to her creation.
Ladies and Gentlemen please join me in Thanking the AER for Felicitating Ar. Sumit Kaur with LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – PUBLIC SERVICE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT.
Public Service Government Architect
Ar. C.N. Raghavendran
Ar. C.N. Raghavendran, a well-known senior architect of India, completed his Bachelor of Architecture (Honours) from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 1965.and Master of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A. in 1967. As a practicing architect based in Chennai, he successfully executed a wide variety of trend setting projects for Indian and foreign governments, PSUs, and multinational corporations.
Amongst his notable contributions in the field of design and architecture is the introduction of innovative building technologies, as evidenced in his pioneering work in the use of pre-cast and pre-stressed building technologies and adopting an environmentally conscious approach for designing high performance buildings. He was the Chairman of the Indian Green Buildings Council ( IGBC ) Chennai Chapter.
Ar. Raghavendran is a recipient of many prestigious awards, including the IIA Design Excellence Award and Architect of the Year Award, Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) ‘Hall of Fame’ Award, to name a few. In recognition of his services to the nation, he was awarded the Padma Shri in the year 2011.
