Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The history of the IIA is one of absorbing interest. Unfolding over the years, it speaks in
manifold aspects – of the struggles and influence of architectural education from one
solitary centre throughout India, of the rebirth and youth of a profession which the
Country had almost forgotten, of a struggle for existence and the need to have the
meaning and value of Architecture and architectural service understood and attempts
and experiments towards a new stage in the architecture of the country. In the
Renaissance or reawakening of India, the Institute has its due place in the sphere of
Architecture.
Its history is also one of men with vision and ideals, men who had at heart, the welfare
of architecture and the profession and who with such a goal, helped to lay and build up
the foundations of an architectural future fraught with the finest possibilities
conceivable.
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.
“To continue the work of the Bombay Architectural Association founded as the
Architectural Student’s Association in 1917” and
The Institute began its activities in the room of the Sohrab F. Bharoocha Architectural
Library, 7-10, Elphinston 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.
In 1929, the membership was 158. Today it has crossed the 20,000 mark.
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 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.
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.