2006 RAIA National Conference

Anupama Kundoo was born in Pune, the cultural capital of the western Indian state of Maharashtra, in 1967. She graduated with First Class Honours from Sir J.J. College of Architecture in Bombay in 1989, working in the city for a year as an architect with LNS Investments.

Anupama started her own architecture practice in Auroville in south-east India in 1990, focusing on the search for climate responsive architectural solutions for each project. From 1992 to 1996 she worked in the Berlin office of Sabine Fiebelkorn at a time when the collapse of the Berlin Wall had resulted in a major construction boom. She worked on architectural competitions, social housing, and the conservation, renovation and modernisation of historic buildings, among other projects.

In 1997 Anupama returned to Auroville, and over the past 10 years has focused on building up 'Kolam', an architecture, design and construction unit established under the Auroville Foundation. She is now chief executive of the unit, with responsibility for 12 staff engaged in research, design and construction of projects undertaken. In this role, she is involved with architectural design; town planning and innovative urban management studies; the introduction of architectural education to rural students with no background; research and experimentation with construction and infrastructure technologies for sustainable development; the transfer of technology outside of Auroville; hands-on workshops and seminars in schools, institutions, universities; and, architectural journalism.

Anupama explores through her work, eco-friendly and energy-efficient alternatives to present building trends, to develop options appropriate to the present state of our environment. Her works include a wide range of building types, from single family residences, housing, public buildings and urban planning projects. She also lectures internationally in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Awards received include the Architect of the Year Award, Category Group Housing, JK Cement, India, 2002; Architect of the Future, Indian Architect + Builder Award, 2000; Honourable Mention, Young Enthused Architect Category, A+D Awards, 2001; Architect of the Year Award, Category Young Architect, Focus State TN State, JK Cement, India, 1999.