Raj Rewal

This monograph examines the issue of creating a humane living environment. More specifically, it discusses Raj Rewal’s approach to the design of the CIDCO Development at Belapur, New Mumbai. Raj Rewal is a preeminent figure on the Indian architectural scene. Internationally, he is acclaimed as the leading voice of a group of architects whose work deals with issues related to modernity and tradition as well as evolution and authenticity. Grounded in a humane approach, Raj Rewal’s architecture responds to the complexities of rapid urbanization, the demands of climate, culture, building craft and technology. Educated in Delhi and London, Raj Rewal worked at Michel Ecochard’s office in Paris before starting his practice in New Delhi. He is the architect of a number of outstanding buildings of our times. Over the last three decades,Rewal has won numerous competitions and built a diverse range of building types. Raj Rewal’s building portfolio includes the Nehru Pavilion, the SCOPE office complex, the Central Institute of Educational Technology, the World Bank Building, the National Institute of immunology, the Parliament Library in Delhi and the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon. Raj Rewal’s placemaking and innovative approach to housing is evident in the design of projects such as the French Embassy Staff Quarters, the Sheikh Sarai Housing and the British High Commission Housing. Lessons learnt from a rich heritage of traditional patterns of living have been fused with modern techniques to create a new vocabulary of design for the Asian Games Village in New Delhi and the CIDCO Housing in New Mumbai. In 1989, Raj Rewal was awarded the Gold Medal by the Indian Institute of Architects and the Robert Mathew Award by the Commonwealth Association of Architects. In 1993, he won the Mexican Association of Architects Award. Raj Rewal is also the 1995 recipient of the J.K. Trusts Great Master’s Award.