About Us
Started in 1969 with a vision to redefine architecture and planning in India, CPKA is one of the most revered architectural firms in the country. A multidisciplinary Architectural firm based in New Delhi, India, we have a portfolio of 1000+ projects, 200 + employees and have worked with clients from more than 30 countries in last 50 years of practice. Our firm is ranked amongst the Top 100 architecture firms in the world and Top 5 in Asia.
Our integrated practice undertakes consultancy in Master Planning, Architecture Urban Design, Structural and Civil Engineering, Electrical, Plumbing and Sanitary Engineering, Air-conditioning and FDV System, Fire Fighting System, Quantity Surveying and Estimating, and Project Management. Our unique multi-disciplinary approach is the reason for creation of some of the most iconic buildings across the globe in addition to our commitment to design excellence by imbibing innovation and sustainability in our works. Our firm, from the very beginning has ensured the inclusion of vernacular and sustainable architecture and associated design practices in our projects. Our multi-faceted family includes some of the best industrial architects, housing architects, institutional architects, structural engineers etc.
We have been receiving global awards and recognition across major design platforms such as the BUILD Review’s 2018 Architecture Innovation Awards, wherein we have been recognized as the ‘Most Innovative Indian Architectural Design Firm for the year 2018’, amongst other numerous awards. Our firm has been constantly been ranked among the top 100 architectural firms in the world, featuring yet again in 2020.
Leadership
C.P. Kukreja
Founder
Ar. C.P. Kukreja were a legendary Architect. He made significant contributions to the field of Architecture in the last five decades not just in India but also at the global level. What started as his modest two man firm has, today, become not only one of India’s largest architectural practice with 200 professionals but has also been recognized amongst the top 100 Architecture firms in the world, thereby raising the profile of Indian Architecture internationally.
He travelled to far shores to receive the best experience in architectural education. He received his scholarship to attend the prestigious Melbourne University for his Town & Regional Planning degree. He also received scholarship to obtain his Master’s Degree in Architecture from University of Manitoba, Canada.
In a deep urge to propagate the virtues of environmentally sensitive principles of design, he penned down many of his philosophies in his book “Tropical Architecture” (published in 1978 by Tata McGraw-Hill) which is a much celebrated book on “Environmental Architecture” and is a popular reference book in the libraries of prestigious institutions like Harvard University and MIT. Altogether, a completely new revolution was started by him in the field of Post-Independence Indian Architecture which prioritized concepts like Sustainability, Energy Efficient Design, Renewal of Natural Resources, Responding to Natural Context and Blending Tradition with Modernity which made his projects contextually relevant. The testimony of the same is held in some of his prestigious works like the Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi), IIM (Lucknow), Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Pathways World School (Gurugram) etc.
He put in a pioneering effort of establishing the first Indian Architectural Magazine called Architecture + Design (A+D) in 1984 followed by an interior design magazine titled, Indian Design & Interiors. To spread his message strongly, beyond his homeland, he even delivered speeches and lectures abroad in various institutions such as Harvard which he believed could make a serious impact on architectural thinking and theorization. He was the Founding Governing Body Member of the Sushant School of Art & Architecture.
C.P. Kukreja also contributed immensely in the post-earthquake reconstruction work of Gujarat. He has also been the highest contributor, recognized by the Indian Institute of Architects, for his financial contribution to the Tsunami victims. His immense philanthropic efforts include active contribution in various disaster relief campaigns and organ donation drives. He has been a founding member of the Manav Chetna Kendra which has been instrumental in spreading the words of Swami Paramananda. For his immense contribution to the Indian Society, he had been felicitated by the Former President of India, Shri. K.R. Narayanan for his life time contribution in Architecture and Environment Awareness.
Dikshu C. Kukreja
Managing Prinicpal
Dikshu C. Kukreja received his B.Arch Honours as Gold Medalist from School of Planning & Architecture. He attended the prestigious Taliesin Fellowship at Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, USA and received his Masters of Architecture & Urban Design from Harvard University. He was elected the founding Vice President of Asia GSD, which grew to become one of the largest student organizations at Harvard University. He has worked in India, France and USA and has lectured and taught at institutions both in India and abroad.
He has been Guest Writer for The Times of India and Hindustan Times newspapers on Urban Issues and featured by CNBC TV on the programme ‘Young Turks’. He was selected as Cultural Ambassador by Govt. of Finland. He is Member, Governing Body, Sushant School of Art & Architecture.
His firm C.P. Kukreja Architects (CPKA) is a premier architectural and engineering organisation based in Delhi. CPKA is ranked amongst the top 100 architecture firms in the world and top 5 in Asia. CPKA has achieved the unique distinction of being the first design firm in India to have acquired a US-based design practice, specializing in sustainability.
His firm has designed many greenfield as well as heritage/conservation buildings which including Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; International Buddhist Centre (Rumtek Monastery), New Delhi; Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Gangtok; Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida; a 100 storey tower (tallest building in India), India International Convention Exhibition Centre, Delhi with the world’s 3rd largest Convention Centre of 10000 capacity for hosting G-20 summit. Extension Complex to Secretariat of Madhya Pradesh etc. He has been selected as the ‘Young Icon of the Decade’, ‘Best Citizen of India’ and most recently as the ‘Face of 21st Century Architecture in India’, and recently featured in ‘Who’s Who of Asia’.
Mr. Kukreja holds tremendous interest in International Relations. He has travelled extensively across the world understanding and appreciating the nuances of people and nations. While qualified as an Architect he has taken courses at Harvard University at the School of Business and Kennedy School of Government. He is actively involved with the various Foreign Missions in India representing countries from all continents. He has had business relations with various countries including US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Russia, China, Japan, S. Korea, Australia, South East Countries, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Brazil.
Contribution to Institutions
- Elected Founding Vice President of Asia GSD in 1994, which grew to become one of the largest student organizations at Harvard University with the objective of promoting Asian & Indian presence.
- Elected as the youngest President of Harvard Club of India and the first architect to achieve this distinction.
- Member, Governing Body, Sushant School of Art & Architecture
Conferences & Academic Lectures
- Lectured at Institutions across the world in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America including institutions such as Harvard University, USA.
Education
B.Arch Honours as Gold Medallist from School of Planning & Architecture in 1992
Taliesin Fellowship at Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, USA in 1993
Masters of Architecture & Urban Design from Harvard University in 1995
Memberships in Professional Associations
Fellow, Institute of Urban Designers, India
Associate Indian Institute of Architects
Registered with Council of Architecture
Member, American Society for Regional Planning, USA
Selected as Cultural Ambassador by Govt. of Finland
Co-chairman, Real Estate Committee, Indo American Chamber of Commerce.
Member Confederation of Indian Industries.
Awards and Recognition
C.P. Kukreja Architects
Dikshu C. Kukreja:
C.P. Kukreja
Team
At CPKA, we pride on nurturing our relations beyond the boundaries of our office environment. The different teams commit themselves ardently towards their projects. With a splendid multi-disciplinary environment, the various expertise such as Research and Design Development, Architectural, Structural, Service and Sustainability Engineering along with Project Management harmonise a culture of understanding, appreciation and learning. This has been one of our core strengths that has worked well even for the Clients who get all services under one roof. We are proud that our team continues to diversify and amplify, bringing distinguished landmark projects to fuition.
