In the heart of Mumbai stands a historic institution that laid the foundation for architectural education in India — the Sir J.J. College of Architecture, the first institute in Mumbai to offer formal training in modern architecture. Established as a separate entity in 1913, it remains one of the oldest and most prestigious architecture colleges in Asia.
The college traces its roots back to the Sir J.J. School of Art, founded in 1857, which introduced an architecture course in 1900. Recognizing the need for specialized architectural education during a time of rapid urbanization, the architecture department became an independent college, shaping generations of professionals who would redefine India’s built environment.
Named after philanthropist Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, the institution quickly earned a reputation for excellence, blending Western architectural principles with Indian cultural and climatic sensibilities. Over the past century, it has produced some of India’s most celebrated architects, including Charles Correa, Achyut Kanvinde, and B.V. Doshi, who received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, often called the “Nobel of architecture”.
Today, Sir J.J. College of Architecture continues to be a leading center for architectural innovation, sustainability, and design excellence, reflecting Mumbai’s spirit of heritage and modernity.
