New Delhi, Feb 6, 2012: On Sunday, February 5th, well over eighteen hundred Architects, Builders, Creative Professionals, Designers, Professors, Public Luminaries, Researchers, and the notable Alumni of reputed institutes from across India, convened at the historic Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi, to celebrate the selection and presentation of the IIA Awards 2011. Commemorating the centenary of the Capital, this year the coveted annual 'IIA Awards 2011' saluted the political and cultural city of Delhi, on completing 100 years of its re-emergence as modern India's capital.

Masterfully shaped to celebrate the huge achievements that are being made by the field of architecture across the country, the IIA Awards recognised the great strides being made in the industry, with the objective to honour and spur on innovations and new levels of excellence in the Architecture industry.

The Awards were well attended by a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of architecture. The evening commenced with a welcome reception, after which guests moved to the central auditorium for the main event. The introductory speech was followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp. The Welcome Address was then followed by the release of the IIA Awards-2011 Jury Report. In his address, the IIA President summarized the magnitude of the event thus: “This is an evening of recognition and celebration of the most imaginative and resourceful architectural projects and their master craftsmen across the country.” The Commemorative Publication was then released.

The Chief Guest of the IIA Awards ceremony, the Hon’ble Minister of Urban Development Sh. Kamal Nath addressed the august audience. Minister also announced that  IIA representative will be in the committee looking in to the revision in the master plan of Delhi. Also government will take assistance of IIA in formulating the development policies of the Urban Development Ministry.

Over to the awards ceremony.  The jury panel which consisted of highly respected architects and experts, had pre-judged each of the awards nominations on their merit and impact. The award presentation ceremony recognized and rewarded the success and creativity of the industry’s most impressive projects or architectural works of art, leading architects and designers for innovative concepts, initiatives and design excellence.

The winners in various categories include Ar. Sanjay Bhardwaj, Ar.Sonali Rastogi and Ar. Manit Rastogi, New Delhi, in Residential category. Ar. Sonali Rastogi, Ar.Manit Rastogi and Ar. Sanjay Bhardwaj, New Delhi, in Public category. Ar. V. Narasimhan and Ar. Ravindra Kumar in Interior category. Ar. Jitendra Mehta in Landscape Design category. Ar. K. S. Anantha Krishna in Research category. Certification of commendation won by Ar. Vinod Kr. Gupta, Delhi in Public category & Ar. Kalhan Mattoo, Mumbai in Interior category.
 
For the first time in the history of IIA Awards, eight eminent architects were inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ for their lifetime achievements.  The inaugural Hall of Fame inductees are Ar. Raj Rewal, Ar. M.R. Agnihotri, Ar. Ajoy Choudhury, Ar. Ram Sharma, Ar. C.N. Raghvendran (Padmashree), Ar. M.M Rana (Padmashree), Ar. A.R Bhalla (Padmashree), and Ar. Balbir Verma

Business done, the evening culminated in a spectacular live musical by Babla Mehta. The musical extravaganza further rendered the awards ceremony into a memorable event; compelling the audience to relive the magical melodies of the 50s and 60s. Renowned for his striking vocal similarity to the legendary Mukesh, Babla Mehta’s musical career spans more than 250 hit songs of Mukesh, compiled in 10 solo albums, besides 6 duet albums and concerts around the world.

QUOTES  Mr. Abhaya Shankar, MD, HIL
 “The IIA Awards 2011 was a truly dynamic event; perfectly organized in a stunning location, and provided excellent networking opportunities to fellow professionals. The world-class entertainment, combined with the enthusiasm of proud award winners and finalists alike made it a night that everyone is going to remember for a very long time. ”

QUOTES.  Manoj Dhar, Business Head, Lubrizol.
 “The IIA has proved its capabilities in delivering a mammoth task like the IIA Awards in style! The setting was awesome and the entertainment amazing. The IIA Awards has become an important industry event, in terms of recognition and celebrations of the principles of Architecture and I look forward to next year’s edition.