The Indian Institute of

Architects
The Indian Institute of Architects

• The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) is the National body of Architects in

the country.
• Established in 1917, the institute today has more than 25,000 members and
plays a major role in promoting the profession of architecture by organizing
and uniting the Architects of India to promote aesthetic, scientific and
practical efficiency of the profession both in Practice and in Education.
• IIA is represented on various national and international committees
connected with architecture, art and the building industry and is also
actively associated with International Union of Architects (UIA), The
Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA) and South Asian Association for
Regional Co-operation of Architects (SAARCH).
History

• The Architectural Student’s Association (1917-22)

• On May – 12th, 1917, the first historic meeting was held in Mr. Foster King’s
bungalow, set in the sylvan surroundings of the School of Art compound.
• It was here, according to a tablet on the building, that the famous Rudyard
Kipling was born on the 30th December 1865.
• One may well imagine what the scene must have been then, for some of the
beautiful surroundings of trees and greenery are fortunately still preserved
in the very heart of a great industrial and commercial city.
• In such a setting of beauty and peace, the child that was to grow up into the
Indian Institute of Architects, was also born.
History

• At the first meeting held, the members present decided to form

themselves into an association of the past students of Architecture of
Sir J.J. School of Art and it was decided to christen the infant “The
Architectural Students Association”.
• Late Mr. George Wittet, the then Consulting Architect to the
Government of Bombay, was unanimously elected as the first
“President” of the Association.
• Prof. H. W. Cable 1920-1921
History

• The Bombay Architectural Association (1922-29)

• The activities of the Association showed, steady progress and after Professor
Cable’s term of office, Mr. Batley was elected President in 1921, and it was about
this time, that members began to seriously consider an improvement in status of
the Association.
• The word “Students” seemed inapt for a body that had now practicing Architects
within its fold and at a special General Meeting held on the 15th June 1922, the
changes in the Constitution and Bye-Laws, were unanimously approved and in
the 3rd ordinary meeting of the members on 3rd August 1922, Mr. Batley,
President, announced the formal inauguration of the rechristened Association.
• Affiliation To The Royal Institute Of British Architects (1925)
The Indian Institute of Architects

• As for back as the beginning in 1922, there had been tentative visions of affiliation
with that powerful and Empire-Wide architectural body, The Royal Institute of
British Architects.
• On a requisition made by 15 members, a special General Meeting was called on
20th November 1924 in which Prof. Claude Bately moved the resolution of getting
the final examination of RIBA to be held in India.
• The alliance was formally confirmed at a Special General Meeting held in the
School of Architecture on the 14th May 1925.
• The first examination could be held only in 1930. The five year Diploma Course
inaugurated in 1923, was recognized for exemption from the intermediate
examination. This step allied the Association with the most powerful body of
Architects.
The Indian Institute of Architects

• The Indian Institute Of Architects (1929)

• Affiliation with R.I.B.A. in 1925 led to consideration of further changes
in the existing Constitution and Bye-Laws.
• One of the first was that members of the R.I.B.A. in the Bombay
Presidency and throughout India were now coming into the fold of
the Association.
• It was on 2nd September 1929 that the new body was re-organised in
Bombay and officially registered as “THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF
ARCHITECTS”. Its chief objects, among others, as stated in the
Memorandum of Association were;
The Indian Institute of Architects
• “To continue the work of the Bombay Architectural Association founded as
the Architectural Student’s Association in 1917” and

• “To encourage the study of Architecture, to elevate the standard of

Architectural Practice and by mutual support, to promote the interests of
Architects throughout India”.

• The Institute began its activities in the room of the Sohrab F. Bharoocha
Architectural Library, 7-10, Elphinstone Circle, Bombay and this therefore was
the first permanent headquarters for the various activities of the Institute.
• Later, as things improved, the Institute and Library moved into the new and
more convenient quarters which it at present occupies at Prospect Chambers
Annexe, Hornby Road, now Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Mumbai – 400 001.
Present Status
• In 1929, the membership was 158. Today it has crossed the 25,000 mark.

• Legal Status of the Institute

• The Indian Institute of Architects is registered under the Societies
Registration Act XXI of 1860 as a voluntary organization of Architects.
• The only other organization at the national level is the Council of
Architecture established under the Architects Act 1972 with the statutory
duty of Registration.
• Outreach Programs of the Institute
The Indian Institute of Architects
• The Institute has a major role to play in promoting the profession of architecture.
• It has very large area and population of the Republic of India to serve.
• The ‘Outreach’ programs are conducted through its Chapters and Centers who
communicate with the public in various regional languages by using the press and
electronic media.
• Public lectures are also arranged on commemorative days such as the World
Environment Day, the World Habitat Day etc.

• The IIA Publications Board and the Editorial Committee publish the Journal of the
Indian Institute of Architects (JIIA) and a Newsletter every month.
• All members of the Institute receive a free copy.
• In addition, all student members of the Institute receive a copy of News Letter of
IIA.
The Indian Institute of Architects

• The Institute reaches out to the public through its Chapters and
Centres. Some special programmes are also arranged at the
headquarter, and other Chapters and centres involving international
participation.
Resources of the Institute

• The Institute continued to face a resource crunch.

• Although an 83 year old organization, attention was neglected in
giving itself a fitting ‘Head Quarter Building’.
• This is attributed, most likely, to the location of the rented premises in
the most preferred location in the commercial heart of the city of
Mumbai and that too under the old rents!
• The Institute does have a library established by an endowment. The
“Sohrab Bharucha Architectural Library” is located at the
Headquarters in Mumbai. It is open to all members and students of
architecture.
The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA)