In a momentous milestone for Indian architecture, Dr. Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi, one of the most influential architects of post-independence India, was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize — the highest international honor in architecture. With this, he became the first Indian architect to receive the prestigious award since its inception in 1979.
The announcement by the Pritzker jury marked global recognition for a visionary who spent over seven decades blending modernist principles with Indian traditions, culture, and climate-conscious design.
Doshi worked closely with two modernist legends — Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn — before developing a unique architectural language rooted in India’s social, cultural, and economic realities.
Some of his most acclaimed works include:
- Aranya Low-Cost Housing in Indore, which provided dignified living for over 80,000 people
- CEPT University in Ahmedabad, which reshaped design education in India
- IIM Bangalore, an institutional masterpiece that merged openness with academic rigor
- Sangath, his own studio in Ahmedabad, blending structure, landscape, and artistry
“Doshi has always created an architecture that is serious, never flashy or a follower of trends. With a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to contribute to his country, he has influenced generations of architects and built works that reflect the spirit of the people.”
The Pritzker Prize, often regarded as the “Nobel of Architecture,” has been awarded annually since 1979 to living architects whose work demonstrates talent, vision, and a commitment to humanity. Doshi’s win in 2018 was not only a personal triumph but a historic first for India, highlighting the importance of architecture that serves the people.
“I am deeply humbled to receive the Pritzker Prize. I owe this honor to my guru Le Corbusier. His teachings led me to question identity and compelled me to discover a new regionally adopted expression for a sustainable habitat,” Doshi said.
