Kolkata Celebrates Architectural Heritage with Second B.V. Doshi Memorial Exhibition

A leading real estate conglomerate has organized a prestigious architectural exhibition in Kolkata to honor one of India's most celebrated architects. The event showcases contemporary architectural excellence while paying homage to a legendary figure who shaped modern Indian design philosophy.

Major Real Estate Developer Hosts Memorial Exhibition

Ambuja Neotia, recognized as one of India's leading real estate developers, announced that it had successfully organized the second edition of the B.V. Doshi Memorial Exhibition. The company stated that the event was designed to celebrate the architectural legacy of Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 96.

The exhibition reportedly took place at Rangmanch, Raajkutir in Kolkata, with the inauguration ceremony held on August 28, 2025. Officials confirmed that the public exhibition would remain open from August 29 through September 14, 2025, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore architectural excellence.

Exhibition Details and Public Access

Event organizers revealed that the exhibition would feature the architectural works of Ar. Girish Doshi, who was described as a close associate and mentee of the late B.V. Doshi. The exhibition was said to focus on humanist, context-driven, and vernacular design principles that characterized the mentor's approach to architecture.

Legacy of B.V. Doshi in Indian Architecture

Industry experts noted that B.V. Doshi had achieved global recognition for his contribution to architecture, becoming the first Indian recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize. The architect was also honored with India's highest civilian awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.

Architectural historians emphasized that Doshi's design philosophy centered around humanist architecture, social equity, and culturally rooted spaces. His notable contributions were said to include the IIM Bangalore campus, Aranya Low-Cost Housing in Indore, NIFT Delhi, and the Udayan social housing project in Kolkata, which was developed in collaboration with Ambuja Neotia.

Contemporary Architectural Excellence

Exhibition curators highlighted that Ar. Girish Doshi, who trained under B.V. Doshi at Sangath, had established Navkar Architects in 1987. His architectural approach was described as continuing his mentor's legacy through several key principles:

• Integration of traditional Indian architectural elements
• Implementation of passive design techniques for sustainability
• Emphasis on contextual geometry in urban planning
• Focus on light, material selection, and spatial poetry

Significance for Indian Real Estate and Architecture

Industry analysts suggested that such exhibitions play a crucial role in promoting context-sensitive architecture in urban India. The event was described as serving multiple purposes in the evolving Indian real estate market, including cultural education and professional inspiration.

Educational and Cultural Impact

Architecture educators emphasized that the exhibition would help introduce Doshi's design values to a new generation of architects and design enthusiasts. The event was positioned as providing educational value for those interested in incorporating traditional Indian design elements into contemporary projects.

Real estate industry observers noted that the exhibition strengthened Ambuja Neotia's longstanding association with architectural excellence, particularly referencing their previous collaboration with B.V. Doshi on the Udayan Condoville project.

Previous Edition and Ongoing Legacy

Event organizers recalled that the inaugural memorial exhibition in 2024 had featured works by prominent architects including Neelkanth Chhaya, Sohan Nilkanth, and Kallol Joshi. The previous exhibition was said to have highlighted several important themes in contemporary Indian architecture:

• Architecture as a universal language of expression
• Innovative use of land and time in urban development
• Sustainable materiality in construction practices

Future of Architectural Heritage in Real Estate

The second B.V. Doshi Memorial Exhibition was described by industry experts as reaffirming the enduring relevance of architecture rooted in human values, social purpose, and cultural context. By showcasing works from contemporary architects like Girish Doshi, the event was positioned as both commemorating a master architect and inspiring the future direction of innovative design approaches in Indian real estate development.

Real estate developers and urban planners indicated that such exhibitions contribute to promoting sustainable and culturally sensitive development practices in India's rapidly growing urban centers. The event was seen as reinforcing the importance of architectural heritage in contemporary real estate development projects across major Indian cities.