Award for City Architect Surinder Bahga

Chandigarh, February 12, 2024: Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Mumbai has given “Presidential Special Recognition” to city-based architect Surinder Bahga for his considerable contribution to literature on Indian Architecture. This award was presented to him during the valedictory function of IIA National Convention which was held at Lucknow on 9-11 February, 2024.

His book “From Follows Roots―Architecture for India” was released only few days ago. He has co-authored three books namely “Modern Architecture in India: Post Independence Perspective”, “New Indian Homes” and “Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret: Footprints on the Sands of Indian Architecture.” He has researched on a travelling exhibition “A Dream Realized” on life and works of Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret for Swiss Arts Council. He worked as Co-Editor of Conference Proceedings of “Urbanism and Green Architecture” held at NIT, Hamirpur in 2010, “Contemporary Architecture: Beyond Corbusierism” – in 2011, NICHE-2014 and Re-Discovering Cities-2015.

Architect Surinder Bahga has established architectural organisation “Saakaar Foundation” in Chandigarh.

His works are published in many journals and newspapers of repute. Two of his Churches were exhibited at the 5th Asian Congress of Architects, held at Lahore in Pakistan. His work was exhibited at Archifest Exhibition organised by Singapore Institute of Architects. Bahga was given Sir M. Visveswaraya Award in 1995 by HUDCO for energy-efficient housing design. His Baptist Church at Chandigarh is selected by Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources and TERI as one of the best 41 energy-efficient buildings in India. He got Michael Ventris Award from Architectural Association, London. Police Memorial, Jammu designed by Bahga and Purie got Outstanding Concrete Structure Award from Indian Concrete Institute.

He worked as Chairman of IIA, Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter for two terms (2008-2012). He worked as Chairman of IIA Publication Board and Editor of Journal of Indian Institute of Architects from January 2013 to May, 2015. He had been nominated as Councillor in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation for the term 2012-16. He worked as member of high powered Finance & Contract Committee of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. He was Chairman of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation’s Committee for “Buildings & Roads”. Currently, he is member of Advisory Committee of India’s Home Minister on Union Territories. He has been appointed as member of Chandigarh Housing Board for the term 2021 to 2024 and as President of Chandigarh Chapter of Fire & Security Association of India.