AD India reveals 2023’s AD100 list

AD India reveals 2023’s most influential list in the design space

AD100 in association with Asian Paints celebrated individuals and firms whose projects represent the power of architecture to transcend functionality, create enduring spaces for its inhabitants, and define new idioms for the cities in which they are located

Mumbai, 29th March 2023: AD India, the ultimate design authority published by Condé Nast India, hosted its annual architecture and design event, AD100. In association with Asian Paints and supported by Axor, Wriver and IF.BE, the annual list selected by Architectural Digest rounds up the best 100 design studios and architectural practices from India and the subcontinent.

The winners were honoured at an exclusive event held at IF.BE Mumbai, the 145-year-old ice factory that has been repurposed into a contemporary space for architecture, design and the arts. This year, the AD100 trophy, designed by Sam Barclay of Case Design, was produced by Wriver in white carrara marble. Wriver’s love for distinctive and luxurious craftsmanship is evident in the way they moulded this year’s AD100  trophy which infuses elements of elegance and minimalism.

Over the years, AD100 has become the most talked-about event in the industry that pools together a diverse range of talent: from the most revered names from the realms of architecture, and interior and landscape design to the tastemakers shaping the creative culture of the country. AD revealed the names of the 100 firms who have been working tirelessly to carefully restore heritage buildings and create intimate residential spaces, impactful public buildings, and lush landscapes.

For the second year running, AD casts a wider net in search of talent outside of the siloes of Mumbai and Delhi, looking more actively for excellence from other cities and towns, including Kozhikode, Pune and Chandigarh. Diversity and inclusivity are key to our storytelling at AD.

At the AD100 event this year, AD remembered, honoured and celebrated the life and work of Mr BV Doshi. A stalwart in the industry, he was a close friend of AD. It’s no secret that nature guided and informed Doshi’s work. The venue, IF.BE, is built around a 147-year-old banyan tree; this tree became a focal point of the tribute—around it were vignettes and moments from Doshi’s life, glimpses of his work and legacy, along with a poem, Vriksha Sar, penned by Doshi.

The AD100 list was meticulously researched and handpicked by the AD team. The exclusive evening witnessed the attendance of some of the most renowned mavens from the fields of interiors, architecture, culture, art, fashion and design.

“Asian Paints is proud to be a supporter of AD100, for its recognition of the finest work in design, craft and architecture. Architectural Digest is a long-standing collaborator and we are especially happy to present the Custodian of Culture project award, something we care deeply about, and to showcase the Asian Paints Colour of the Year 2023 at this exciting event.” – Amit Syngle, managing director and CEO, Asian Paints

“Our March-April issue is a keeper, if I may say so myself. It features the AD100 list of 2023, that definitive annual selection of the finest architects and designers in the subcontinent. For the first time, we’ve created a Hall of Fame of 10 senior and pioneering architects and designers, in addition to the hundred firms we select every year, with 17 new entrants this time.

This is also the first time AD100, a much-awaited party for the fraternity, moved to an incredible new space called IF.BE in Mumbai’s historic Ballard Estate neighbourhood. It’s an old ice factory reclaimed and recreated into a space for the community, and designed for art, design, and cultural programming. Community, infact is a strong bent of AD100 this year. It’s not about celebrating individual excellence alone, but practices and projects that are for the larger community. The five excellence award winners this year are all in support of public and cultural spaces like museums, memorials, theatres, and ateliers for craftspeople.”- Komal Sharma, Head of Editorial Content, AD India

Each year, at AD100, AD recognises the works of a handful of architects and designers pushing the boundaries of creative excellence, while remaining true to their roots. This year, culture and community take centrestage. Each of the projects celebrated are deeply informed by both their context and site, but moreover, they create new spaces for the public to build connections, have enriching experiences and find a community.

1. Kamal Malik of Malik Architecture, built IF.BE—the venue for the event—a conserved and restored ice factory in the heritage precinct of Ballard Estate, which over the past few months, has become a nucleus for events and conversations centred around design and the creative arts.

AD x Asian Paints presents

Custodian of culture

Kamal Malik

For IF.BE

2. Samira Rathod, architect and founder of her firm—Samira Rathod Design Atelier—built the Cabral Yard Pavilion at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2023. Working ingeniously with debris collected from construction sites, she crafted a temporary theatre that held film screenings, dance performances, lectures, and art workshops.

AD presents Artistic Excellence

Samira Rathod Design Atelier

For the Cabral Yard Pavilion, Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2023

3. Soumitro Ghosh and Nisha Mathew Ghosh of Mathew and Ghosh Architects designed the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) in Bengaluru that aims to transform perceptions of museums through educational programming and welcoming architecture.

AD X Wriver presents

WOW List Winner

Mathew and Ghosh Architects

For Museum of Art and Photography, Bengaluru

4. The new atelier of Vastrakala in Chennai by Mancini Enterprises upends the narrative of craftsmanship—and the spaces in which karigars bring their work to life—in India. Akin to the spirit of a 19th century manufacturing setup, the new workspace houses 250 employees and their leadership, with the karigars working around a central light well. The atelier is also sensitively located in close proximity to the villages native to the karigars.

AD X Axor presents

Elevating Craft

Mancini Enterprises

For Vastrakala’s new atelier in Chennai

5. Honouring the victims of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, the Smriti Van Earthquake Memorial & Museummarks a celebration of resilience, regeneration, and hope, as interpreted by Rajeev Kathpalia of Vastushilpa Sangath.

AD WOW List Winner

Rajeev Kathpalia for Smriti Van Earthquake Memorial & Museum, Bhuj

Follow news and conversations about #AD100  on www.architecturaldigest.in  | Instagram: @archdigestindia  | Twitter: @ArchDigestIndia | Facebook: architecturaldigestindia

AD100  HALL OF FAME

AD100 2023 Winners

About Architectural Digest

Architectural Digest (AD), the international authority on design and architecture, offers exclusive access to the world’s most beautiful homes and the fascinating people who live in them. Bringing its audience a wealth of information on architecture and interior design, art and antiques, travel destinations, and extraordinary products, its AD100 list of top architects and designers is one of the industry’s most relied-upon indexes of talent.

AD’s digital channel, AD PRO, features authoritative, opinionated coverage and breaking news for design-world insiders, and its vertical Clever offers design advice for real life, taking on the unique challenges of designing a smaller space. Every day, AD inspires millions of readers to redesign and refresh their lives through its multi platform presence including print and digital editions, social media, signature events, and the brand’s website, archdigest.com.

About Architectural Digest India

Launched in March 2012, Architectural Digest India is one of the youngest editions after establishing itself in nine key markets around the world. Redefining the concept of excellence in design and architecture, AD India is the discerning reader’s definitive bible on beautiful homes, future trends, and current news.

For over 100 years, Condé Nast has produced some of the finest, most successful, and iconic media brands worldwide. AD India’s annual property, AD100, is one of the most influential power lists in the country, naming the biggest names in Indian architecture, interiors, and design. In 2018, AD Design Show Mumbai’s “First Luxury Art and Design Fair” was launched with a confluence of art and design connoisseurs, patrons and practitioners alike and takes place annually.

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AD India reveals 2023’s most influential list in the design space