BRINDA SOMAYA
Indian architec
HISTORY OF INTERIOR
DESIGN
BOJJA PRAVALIKA
22011CA010
3RD SEMESTER B.DESIGN
Brinda Somaya
Brinda Somaya (born 28 June 1949) is an
Indian architect and urban conservationist.
Somaya was born on 28 June 1949 to K.M Chinnappa and Ganavati
Chinnappa.[2][3] She later joined the Cathedral & John Connon School's
science program. In 1966, Somaya won a American Field Service
International Scholarship to study in the United States (North Carolina). In
1967, she returned to India and completed her Bachelor of Architecture from Brinda Somaya
Sir J.J. School of Architecture in Mumbai, graduating in 1971. Somaya chose Brinda Somaya drawing
to return to the U.S. and joined Smith College in Northampton, Born 28 June 1949 (age 74)
Massachusetts, where she graduated in 1973 with a Masters of Arts degree.
Nationality Indian
She attended a short design course at Cornell University in 1972.
Alma mater Smith College,
Mumbai University
Personal life
Somaya has been married to Anand Somaya, a cardiac Occupation Architect
surgeon for over 42 years
Practice Somaya and Kalappa
Consultants Pvt Ltd
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Career
• Somaya began her architectural practice in 1978 in Mumbai, India
• Her firm's first office was in the back of her
garden. From 1978 to 1981 she was joined by her
sister Ranjini Kalappa, also an architect After her
sister left for Holland, she worked on her own.[
• Somaya has travelled to the rural parts of India, from where she has
got knowledge and inspiration for vernacular architecture
• The Nalanda International Schools in Vadodara where she reflects the
vernacular architecture by using the locally available resources and
techniques, pergolas and courtyard. She reflects the Indian ethos in her
architecture, her designs are called both traditional and sustainable Her
work includes corporate, industrial and institutional campuses and
extends to public spaces, which she has rebuilt and reinvented as
pavements, parks and plazas. Some of these campuses include Tata
Consultancy Services, Banyan Park, Mumbai; Nalanda International
School, Vadodara; and Zensar Technologies, Pune. Her firm won the
competition for the Restoration and Enhancement of the historic Louis
Kahn Buildings of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad as
well as the new Academic Buildings of the Indian Institute of Technology
She is currently the Chairperson of Board of Governors for School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
and has built more than 200 projects in a span of 40 years.
In 1999, Somaya was a founder trustee for the HECAR Foundation in India. In 2000, she served as the
Chairperson and the curator for the Women in Architecture 2000 Plus-Conference and exhibition on the works
of the South Asian Women Architects, a global showcase platform for women architects from India,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan
Notable projects
Bhadli Village of Bhuj
Bhadli Village is located 40 km northwest of Bhuj. The village was destroyed by
6.9 Richter scale earthquake. Somaya included all the villagers for the
reconstruction to restore the unique identity of the village. She involved the
Muslims family and assigned them for making intricate Bandhani (tie and dye-a
fabric work), Patelbhai who were interested in the ecology of the village and
employed skilled engineers to create a water reservoir to collect rain water. Her
main focus for this project was to design in a way which promoted a healthy
and hygienic environment. She designed the houses in a way which barred the
dust and intense heat of the desert.
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There were minimized openings and concrete jaalis were used for the
exchange of air for minimum sunlight and dust. Also, a cluster of 5-6 houses
was made to create a close-knit community for the villagers. A separate
space was created for the livestock and precious possessions. To restore
fear in people, a 3 RCC plinth Beam was placed: one in the sill, one in the
lintel and one in the roof base. The project maximized reusing the materials
by reusing the debris, doors and windows. The trust agreed to provide
materials while the labour was provided by the villagers so that the villagers.
A school in Bhadli was rebuilt in 2002, a primary co ed school with 194 students
and 6 teachers. A temporary school was built initially so that the students could
continue their education. Somaya worked closely with villagers and used locally
available materials to save money.
Other projects
Nalanda International School, Vadodara
Goa Institute of Management, Goa
Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani
Zensar Technology Limited, Pune
TCS House, Mumbai
St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai
Rehabilitation of Bhadli Village along with its School and community Center, Bhuj
Restoration of the Indian Institute of Management –Ahmedabad (IIM-A) Louis Kahn
Campus
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THANK YOU
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