BRINDA
SOMAYA
BIOGRAPHY
Brinda Somaya, Architect and Conservationist
completed her Master of Arts degree from Smith College,
USA after graduating from the Sir J. J. College of
Architecture, Mumbai. She believes that development
and progress must proceed without straining the cultural
and historic environment.
Her philosophy : the Architect’s role is that of guardian
– his is the conscience of the built and un-built
environment
This belief underlines her work at “Somaya and
Kalappa Consultants”, the company she has headed
for the last three decades.
Ar.Brinda is a Member of the Editorial Board for MARG
Architectural Books, Member of the Committee of
`Environmental Impact Assessment of New Construction
Projects & New Industrial Estates for `Ministry of
Environment & Forests’ Government of India
AWARDS .
▪ 2006, Leading European Architects Forum award winner for the new Nalanda
Schools Campus in Baroda.
▪ 2007, the Wienerberger Golden Architect Award as first woman ever for lifetime
achievement.
▪ 2014, she was awarded the Indian Institute of Architects – Baburao Mhatre Gold
Medal for Lifetime Achievement.
▪ 2019, the Somaya and Kalappa Consultants won the competition for the
Restoration and Enhancement of the historic Louis Kahn Buildings of the Indian
Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in 2019.
WORKS.
▪ St. Thomas Cathedral ▪ Nalanda International School
▪ Bhadli Village of Bhuj ▪ Goa Institute of Management,
Goa
▪ Acron Waterfront Resort
▪ Birla Institute of Technology and
▪ Club Mahindra Fort Resort Sciences, Pilani
▪ Zensar Technologies Limited ▪ Restoration of the Indian
Institute of Management –
▪ TCS Campus Indore Ahmedabad (IIM-A) Louis Kahn
Campus
▪ Rajabai Clock Tower and Mumbai
University Library Building ▪ The Kensington Club
GOA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT.
Location : Sanquelim, Goa
Client : The Goa Institute of Management
Site Area : 25 acres
Built Area : 19,900 sq. m
Completion of project : March 2011
Spread on 25 acres of land . The site opens up to
panoramic vistas of the Western Ghats and has
many levels – gradual and sudden. As buildings
located within rich vegetation and fertile land,
the landscape – both natural and planned –
envelopes and is allowed to intrude in the
environment.
Goa Institute of Management intervenes sensitively and
establishes strong relationships with the immediate and distant
surroundings.
The zoning follows the contours of the site and the clusters of built
spaces form a cohesive environment on the site.
The academic and the administration areas are clustered in
the center of the site. while the library and canteen blocks are
located on the highest point of the site. The student hostels are
placed at the northern-most corner and the lowest point of the
site is occupied by recreational facilities for the students.
The quality, proportion and material of fenestration vary throughout
the built form in reference to the immediate and distant context.
One powerful idea central to both the projects; and perhaps central
to most of Somaya & Kalappa’s work – is the understanding and
interpretation of architecture as a choreographed environment
rather than a design object.
NALANDA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Client : Nalanda Knowledge Foundation
Location : Vadodara, Gujarat
Status : Completed 2007
Area : 174830 sq ft
Services : Master Planning, Architecture,
Interior Design
Built on 12 acres of land near Vadodara in Gujarat,
Nalanda International School started its construction in
2003. Somaya reflected the tradition of Jaipur in her
project by using the local brick produced by the local
masons. She designed the projects to ensure peace
and tranquility to the students as well as for
sustainability.
The plan is comprised of: Brick Piers and Vaults are constructed using local bricks and
• a central courtyard with four smaller internal courtyard, craftsmen and bringing back in many ways traditional but yet
•each of the courtyards contains a cluster of four relevant methods of construction.
classrooms,
•Each classroom has a sense of ownership of a In the hot dry summer of Vadodara, the red brick building
courtyard where they can grow vegetables and nurture with its terracotta tiled roof has been designed to stay as
their plants. cool as possible. Cavity walls in all classrooms keep out
•A central courtyard acts as a receiving and collection both the summer hear and the winter cold.
space.
•Courtyards have minimized the use of artificial light and Classrooms take maximum advantage of natural ventilation
ventilation, thus conserving energy with jalis, pergolas, high-level ventilators, low sill levels and
greenery.
Brick worked as a structural material and not just
decorative cladding.
Zensar Technologies Ltd
Client Name : Zensar Technologies Ltd. Kharadi
Infotech Park,
Pune Architect : Somaya & Kalappa Consultants
Pvt. Ltd.,
Mumbai Structural Consultant : M/s Shishir
Kulkarni & Associates,
Pune Size of Project : 80,000 Sq. Ft
Site context has been given maximum importance so as to
create integrated campus .
the reason for planning the main entrances of the building
in the opposite direction to the main entry road. The flow of
traffic was designed to have restricted vehicular entry to the
Buildings (except for the corporate block).
the balance and harmony are created by use of landscape
and structure (in form of building design) which
compliments the building design .
The over all design style of the building is contemporary
which is achieved by balanced use of solid and voids. The
composition is balanced by controlled use of suspended &
Structural glazing. The highlight for all the buildings is the
entrance with a canopy as architectural feature framed by
R.C.C / wooden pergolas at the top most level. The
Double height spaces and court are planned to landscape Nevasa stone walls ties all the buildings to give a
facilitate huge amount of cross ventilation to complete CAMPUS feeling, complimented by the linear
make building energy efficient . water bodies & plazas with champs trees which gives a
welcoming feeling to the user.
TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES . site development that is conceptually relevant to
the context of the place.
Client: Tata Consultancy Services
Location: Indore, Madhya Pradesh Representing the three courses of the river, the
Status: 2014 masterplan too is divided into three distinctive
Area: 12,90,000 sq ft zones. The elegance, calmness and beauty of the
Services: Master Planning, Architecture, Interior river are mirrored efficiently across these zones.
Design and Signage The upper course of the river from its point of
origin finds interpretation in Amarkantak; the calm
The conceptual planning is based on the Narmada waters then flow through the jagged marble rocks
river, and the architectural forms are derived from the of Bedaghat in the middle course; finally,
physical features it creates as it winds its way down meandering its way down the lower course
from its source to its mouth. towards the Gulf of Khambat. There are 14 main
buildings grouped around a central plaza that
define the three courses of the river. The linear
site, with an overall width of 400m and length of
1400m, works seamlessly to convey the alignment
of the flowing river.
The scale and proportion of the architecture was
defined by the natural forms, found along the
shores of the Narmada.
An approximate central line of the masterplan is the
river, which becomes a channel of water or of pebbles,
according to its changing faces.
The landscape design contributes to the micro- climate
within the campus, by virtue of its layers and details that
express the idea of the riverbed.
The interiors of the buildings have been designed in a
thematic way, by extending the concept of the
masterplan. The clean and sharp forms are replicated
inside with singular material finishes, mimicking the
riverbeds.
The various terrains and geographical marvels that act
as markers for the river, inspired the creation of the
nodes of the campus.
The introduction of art installations and traditional local
arts and crafts was vital, in order to integrate the cultural
significance of the city and the country into the project.
THANK YOU.
GUIDED BY : PROF. KULDEEP BHATIA .
SUBMITTED BY : NEHA ROKADE .
