Raj Rewal is a prominent Indian architect known for blending modern design with traditional architecture, having created significant public and institutional structures such as the Asian Games Village and Hall of Nations. His projects emphasize sustainable architecture, cultural connections, and innovative use of materials, including pioneering the first large space-frame structure built with concrete. Rewal's work has sparked discussions on architectural heritage preservation and reflects a deep understanding of societal needs.

1. Architect Raj Rewal Projects: Solving Modern Issues with Ancient
Heritage
Raj Rewal is an eminent Indian architect born on September 17, 1934, in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. He is widely
acclaimed for his significant contributions to modern architecture and urban design. He is also a critically
acclaimed author having written ‘Innovative Architecture and Tradition’ and ‘Talking Architecture: Raj Rewal in
Conversation with Ramin Jahanbegloo.’ He studied at the Delhi School of Architecture before moving to London to
pursue studies at the Architectural Association School of Architecture and the Brixton School of Building.
Courtesy – Where is the North

2. He has also taught at the School of Planning and Architecture Delhi (his alma mater). In addition, he has also given
guest lectures at prominent conferences and universities across the world including MIT, Harvard, World Chinese
Architects Conference, amongst others. Raj Rewal’s works (sketches and models) are also the first to have been
housed in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. In 1962, he formed his eponymous practice, Raj Rewal Associates.
Raj Rewal Architect Philosophy
Raj Rewal’s works are characterized by a thoughtful integration of traditional architectural principles with modern
design concepts, reflecting a deep understanding of cultural contexts and societal needs. It’s an enigma, how he
layers heritage and history upon the contemporary buildings and materials. He skillfully weaves together design
episodes by combining geometry with rhythm, scale with surroundings, and structure with nuance. He also
modulates form and light, courses the exterior through the interior, and creates a series of interconnected
experiences that are as different from one another as they are from one another.
Courtesy – ResearchGate
Architect Raj Rewal Projects
Raj Rewal buildings are synonymous with functional design, sustainable architecture, and a deep-rooted
connection to cultural traditions. Throughout his career, Raj Rewal has been instrumental in creating a diverse
portfolio of projects that include public and institutional buildings, housing complexes, and urban planning
initiatives. Some of Raj Rewal’s projects include the Asian Games Village in New Delhi, the Parliament Library, and
the State Trading Corporation Headquarters. Two of Raj Rewal’s works have been briefly discussed below.
Hall of Nations, Pragati Maidan Raj Rewal
Hall of Nations is a testament to Raj Rewal’s inclination towards brutalist architecture. It was a pioneering
structure built for the 1972 International Trade Fair. It was the world’s first and largest space-frame structure to be
built with reinforced concrete. It was 144 feet in length and 90 feet in height. Despite facing resistance, this
landmark building was demolished in 2017, sparking a broader conversation about preserving architectural
heritage.

3. Courtesy – Architectural Review
A tessellating triangular structure was used to form a capped pyramid. The truncated structures prevented
unnecessary construction and helped to create it in situ. The use of tetrahedrons, triangular forms, and hexagons
was quite rampant in the building, reminiscent of the ‘jaalis’. The space frame was extensively used in the walls
and ceilings, shielding it from harsh sunlight and allowing air circulation. The use of concrete was quite
revolutionary as the space frame was often built with steel. The pile foundation supported numerous
post-tensioned beams.
Courtesy – Architexturez
CIDCO Housing Raj Rewal
CIDCO Housing by Raj Rewal is a low-income high-density urban housing project undertaken by Raj Rewal in
Belapur, Navi Mumbai in 1993. He was inspired by the Rajasthani houses with courtyards, terraces, and balconies
to build 1408 individual units. These housing units included 1 room and 3 room (with 7 different types of modules)

4. units spanning 19 to 105 square meters. The project focused on social linkage and included abundant green
spaces. The orientation of the blocks was such that it allowed cross-ventilation and created shaded pathways.
These interlocked housing units had several honeycomb lattices.
Courtesy – Raj Rewal Associates
The vehicular network was completely restricted and parking services were only employed for houses which
occupied over 70 square meter units. However, the pedestrian had the opportunity to peruse the area vertically
through external staircases and horizontally through connecting corridors. The residents also had the services of
overhead tanks, garbage disposal, drainage systems, and proper sanitation. Hollow concrete blocks were used to
make the buildings along with the mortar (sand, lime, and cement). Handmade terracotta tiles and rough granite
stones were used with exposed plasterwork.
Courtesy – The Archi Blog
Raj Rewal Asian Games Village
The Asian Games Village is one of Raj Rewal's famous works. It was built in New Delhi in 1982 to serve as the
housing for the athletes competing in the games. These units were later sold to the general public. The urban
pattern of low-rise, high-density development represents the typical Indian ‘mohalla.’ The Asian Games village saw
cluster formations, suitable for the Indian climate with varying scales and elements. This resulted in a type-based
design brief for 500 units on a 35-acre plot. The idea is to link open spaces, commercial and recreational areas,
clusters, and narrow, shaded pedestrian streets, evoking a sense of enclosure and continuity.

5. Courtesy – Raj Rewal Associates
The Raj Rewal Asian Games Village may be seen as a ‘theater of the street,’ created using a combination of streets
and squares, where people can interact with one another outside of their immediate neighborhoods. The
cul-de-sac parking squares are connected to the peripheral roads, making way for separate garages, affixed to the
apartment buildings. The 500 housing units included 300 apartments spread across two to four-story buildings and
200 standalone townhouses, with three variations of each unit type. The layout’s central spline is set aside for
streets and pedestrian courts in different clusters. Almost eighty per cent of the units have access to parking
squares and pedestrian enclosures.
Courtesy – Dome Home – MIT Library
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