Ar. (Prof.) Abhay Purohit is the Principal & Director, IDEAS-Institute of Design Education & Architectural Studies, Nagpur since 2009.

Closely affiliated with the COA for over 25 years, Purohit has been the elected representative of Heads of Institutions and has worked on many committees related to Education and Professional reforms. He is also the Chairman, Board of Studies, RTN Nagpur University and has vast experience of teaching. He has published numerous papers at regional and national level.

Prof. Purohit intends to bring reform in architecture educations to make it internationally competent. He also intends to work towards empowering Indian Architects to export services globally.

Architect Aashish Sompura, following his renowned father Ar. C B Sompura, is a distinguished figure specializing in temple architecture. Carry the Sompura family legacy, he is recognized for his expertise in traditional craftsmanship, contributing significantly to the perversion and innovation of India’s architectural heritage. His notable contribution includes iconic structures such as the Ram Mandir Ayodhya, Somnath Temple, Bhaucharaji Mandir, among many others. Ashish Sompura continues to shape architectural marvels with a deep commitment to cultural and religious significance.

Ar. Archana Khanna, Founder-Partner of First Principle in New Delhi, brings 30 years of experience in urban design and architecture. Awarded Gold Medals, she has worked on notable urban proposals, master plans, and commercial buildings across India.

Christopher Benninger is a distinguished architect, planner, teacher and institution builder. He holds a Master's in Architecture from Harvard University and Master’s in City Planning from MIT. He resigned from his tenured professorship at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University to found the School of Planning at the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) in Ahmedabad in 1972.  Then, in 1976, he moved to Pune and founded the Centre for Development Studies and Activities (CDSA).  In 1995, he set up Christopher Charles Benninger Architects (CCBA).   His architectural practice has produced exemplary and highly inspiring projects, ranging from institutional campuses and corporate offices to national government buildings, located in more than 20 cities in India as well as Bhutan, China and Africa.  Through his lectures across India and the world, and through the activities at India House in Pune – the place where he lives and works – he has been a tireless advocate for the betterment of Indian architecture.  His book, ‘Letters to A Young Architect’ is now in its sixth edition and it has been translated into Gujarati, Bangla and Chinese.  A monograph ‘Christopher Benninger: Architecture for a Modern India’ has been published by Skira in Italy and Rizzoli in the USA in 2016.  

Gerard da Cunha is the founder of Architecture Autonomous based in Goa. The firm does projects in the genre of sustainability and notable projects include Nrityagram Dance Village ( Bengaluru ), Palacio Aguada ( Goa), Vidyanagar Township for JSW ( Bellary), Restoration of Reis Magos Fort (Goa) and the Campus  of Nisha’s Play School and Museum Houses of Goa. Gerard is the recepient of many Awards including the Prime Minister’s  National Award for excellence in Urban Planning and Design. He is the Curator and founder of the “ Museum Houses of Goa” and runs a small publishing house for books on Art and Architecture.

Sidhartha Talwar is a Principal at Studio Lotus, an internationally recognised practice whose work is grounded on the principles of Conscious Design—an approach that celebrates local resources, cultural influences, an inclusive process, and keen attention to detail. Since establishing the practice with Ambrish Arora and Ankur Choksi in 2002, Sidhartha has overseen its Architecture & Master Planning initiatives, working extensively on large-scale developments for a diverse clientele, with a focus on Environmental Planning, and Sustainable and Modular Construction Methodologies. Significant projects of the studio that Sidhartha has been involved in include the award-winning Krushi Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, commercial and high-rise residential projects with the Max Group, including co-developing their brand USPs for these typologies, and an upcoming urban renewal project in Hyderabad for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Dr. Vandana Sehgal, an architect, academic, and artist, engages in theoretical and practical design. Her association with projects like State Archives and Chhatar Manzil in Lucknow showcase her diverse talents. She has also done solo shows like ‘Between Spaces’ ‘Ramayana’ ‘Lucknow- ek-nazar’, ‘Krishna and Woman’ and many more