Author: Rajendra Kumar, Architect
“India and Portugal’s relations in architecture and culture date back to the XVI century. Historically, Portugal and India have been allies and have solid traditions of cultural and artistic exchanges valuable legacy for contemporary architecture and to be transmitted to future generations. Much of the early Portuguese architecture in India is manifested in churches, cathedrals, schools. Western India, especially Goa and Daman and Diu, have seen the great influence of some of the Portuguese architecture Iconic architecture of cities. Architecture and architects of India also have inspirational footprints in Portugal, including Champalimaud Centre building in Lisbon designed by legendary architect Late Charles Correa and Ismaili centre designed by Raj Rewal.”
Cover Page of Book
Book titled ‘Portugal – India: Iconic Architects and Cities’ is part of exhibition on Indo-Portuguese architecture commemorating ‘50th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Portugal & India’. A thoughtful exploration of architecture as cultural memory, this book brings together iconic works from Portugal and India to reveal a shared design ethos rooted in history, humanism, and context. Through essays, projects, and photography, it captures a dialogue between tradition and modernity across cities shaped by time, culture, and place.
Book is a captivating exploration of the rich and diverse design legacies that have emerged from Portugal and India, two great culturally influential nations. Delving into the visionary works of renowned Portuguese and Indian architects, this comprehensive book transports readers on a journey through centuries of groundbreaking structures that have helped define the architectural identities of both countries. Through vivid photography, and insightful biographies, this compendium serve as an essential reference for design enthusiasts, students, and anyone captivated by the marriage of form and function that defines the architectural heritage of these two culturally-rich nations.
The book offers a nuanced and compelling dialogue between Indian and Portuguese architectural traditions, tracing their shared histories and contemporary trajectories with intellectual rigor and visual richness. It explores the creative landscapes of Portugal and India through the visionary works of Indian and Portuguese architects, like Fernando Tavora, Alvaro Siza (1992 Pritzker Prize Laureate), Eduardo Souto De Moura (2011- Pritzker Prize Laureate), Manuel Aires Mateus, Camilo Rebello, Nuno Valentim, António Cerejeira Fontes, Maria Manuel Oliveira and photo feature of Livraria Lello Library, Porto, Coimbra University and projects by Late Charles Correa (Padma Vibhushan 2006, Padma Shri 1972), Raj Rewal (Padma Bhushan 1991) Hafeez Contractor (Padma Bhushan 2016), Rahul Mehrotra, Bimal Patel (Padma Shri 2019), Christopher Charles Benninger Architect, Vistasp Bhagwagar, Vandana Saxena, Gaurav Gupta, Jimmy Mistry, Bobby Mukherjee, in addition of essay by Oscar Ponni, Amit Garg. This book serves as a reflection on how Indian and Portuguese cities have evolved into living museums of cultural memory. It presents a dialogue between history and modernity, showcasing iconic works, both historic and contemporary that exemplify the continuity between the past and the present, tradition and innovation, in both nations. The selected projects by Portuguese architects span cities such as Porto, Lisbon, Braga, and others, while the Indian works highlight the architectural richness of Mumbai, Goa, Diu, and other cities having Portugal’s legacy. Together, they reveal a shared architectural pursuit: to create spaces that are not merely functional, but profoundly humane, expressive, and contextually rooted.
View of Exhibition curated by Rajendra Kumar. IIID-DRC being knowledge partner of event.
Book also covers conversation between Author and Ambassador of Portugal in India H.E Mr. João Manuel Mendes Ribeiro De Almeida. News about visit of Indian President, H.E. Droupadi Murmu to Lisbon as part celebration of ‘50th Years of Diplomatic Relations between India and Portugal’. Reflection by Author Rajendra Kumar covering thoughts on Portugal–India: Iconic Architecture and Cities and goodwill messages by Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal, H.E. Mr. Paulo Rangel, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, President Council of Architecture, Architect Abhay V. Purohit, Chairman, Indian Institute of Interior Designers – Delhi Regional Chapter, Mr. Hemant Sud
The essays and project documentation collectively argue that architecture in both contexts is not merely a response to function or form, but an ethical and cultural act. Cities such as Porto, Lisbon, Mumbai, Goa, and Diu emerge as living archives, where history and modernity coexist in productive tension. What distinguishes this book is its refusal to reduce Indo-Portuguese architectural relationships to stylistic influence or colonial legacy. Instead, it frames architecture as a dialogue between generations, geographies, and ideas. The careful selection of architects and projects reveals parallel concerns: material honesty, human scale, climatic intelligence, and cultural continuity.
The inclusion of essays alongside photographic documentation allows the reader to move seamlessly between theory and practice. The result is a layered narrative that positions architecture as both a cultural artifact and a lived experience. This book stands as an important curatorial statement on how modern architecture can remain deeply rooted in place while engaging with global discourse. This book is a valuable contribution to architectural scholarship, particularly for readers interested in cross-cultural narratives, postcolonial urbanism, and contextual modernism. It highlights the parallels in their achievements, their adaptive responses to changing times, and their enduring contributions as beacons of modernist innovation and cultural identity.
Launch of book’s cover page at IIID-DRC event held on 25 October 2025 at Hotel Taj Mahal, New Delhi.
Profile of Author: Rajendra Kumar is architect, academician, curator, TEDx speaker based in New Delhi, India. He is graduated from Chandigarh College of Architecture, India and Post-graduation from Politecnico Di Milano, Italy. He has keen interest in ‘cities and architecture’ and curated exhibitions, symposium worldwide. He is member of International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), Netherlands, Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), USA. Equipped with mixed experiences of varied scale projects, ranging from urban scale, buildings and interiors. He is actively involved in academia and research. Globally engaged with institutions and think tanks of international importance. Interacted with global leaders including Prime Ministers, Governors, Mayors, Policy makers, Nobel Laureate and others. During G20 Summit in India, he served as task force member for ‘Y20 (Young 20) also expert speaker in BRICS Urban Future Forum, 2024, 2025.He has been part of jury of many prestigious global awards including ‘World Architecture Festival’, Singapore, Miami, USA, World Architecture News (WAN), UK, Local Ambassador – RIBA International Awards for Excellence in 2024. Rajendra is a keen writer and lectured at many national and international forums on issues related to cities, community, sustainable environment in India, Spain, USA, UK, Poland, Portugal, Hong Kong, South Africa, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Romania including UN Habitat, Columbia University, New York, Cambridge University, AA London, Birmingham University, UK, FUAP Porto, FH Joanneum, Austria, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Gdansk University, Poland, and many more.
Specification of book: Coffee table book
Total Pages: 281
Size: 210mm x 297mm
ISBN: 978-93-5626-697-1
Price: Rs. 4500
To order: Rajendra Kumar
ark.rajendra@gmail.com
