Somaya & KalapPa Consultants

Company Name

Somaya & KalapPa Consultants

The roots
Her mother was a zoologist; her father, a power engineer. Ranjini, her elder sister, studied architecture and that got her very interested. “I used to talk to her about her studies, and it seemed that architecture was what I wanted to do,” says architect and urban conservationist Brinda Somaya.

The nurturing
She completed her Master of Arts degree from Smith College, USA, after graduating from Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai. In May 2012, she received an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Smith College. “My philosophy: the architect’s role is that of guardian – hers is the conscience of the built and un-built environment… An architect must always remember that man is the protagonist of the space. Whatever you design, you must be willing to live in it.”

The fruits
The confidence to follow her own path came from her parents, who just assumed that gender discrimination did not exist or certainly was not an excuse; and her school that taught her that no dream was impossible. This belief led to the formation of Somaya & Kalappa Consultants, along with sister Ranjini Kalappa in 1978 – the company Somaya has headed for the last four decades. “Having designed a swimming pool and support facilities for the Bombay Presidency Golf Club as my first project, I set out into the world of architecture with my own beliefs. You always hear about people who trained and were mentored by prominent architects. My learning experience was difficult and rather isolated,” reminisces the architect. The firm’s work includes corporate, industrial and institutional design that extends to public spaces, which have been rebuilt and sometimes reinvented as pavements, parks and plazas. “Each project is different and each has to be part of its natural environment. We strive to produce work that is innovative, and practical, while keeping in mind the social, economic, environmental and aesthetic issues relevant to each project,” says Somaya, freshly elected as the AD White Professor-at-Large, Cornell University.

The turning points
“Every project that I work on is special for me,” declares Somaya. “Our involvement has ranged from the upgradation of slums to large corporate and public buildings, from low-income housing to the restoration of magnificent vernacular and colonial buildings. Exciting and fulfilling tasks that span our careers take us from being high-tech professionals to barefoot architects.”

The destination
Somaya’s dream project has been a museum, and with their selection as architects for Indus Heritage Center, a musuem on the Indus Valley Civilisation, by the Board of Trustees of the Indus Heritage Trust, it was almost realised…  “Unfortunately, it is currently at a standstill,” she rues. As for the future, she says: “Lifestyles are changing, people have higher and unique aspirations. Therefore, I see huge opportunity for young architects. Sensitivity to the environment, availability of materials, effective land use, urban issues and, of course, architectural vocabulary are all important determinants of good design.”