Pune, which is also referred to as the “Oxford of the East” and the cultural capital of Maharashtra, has seen a great change in the last decade. As we head into 2025, the city’s horizon is a telltale of this change, which is a mix of colonial past, brutalist architecture and very modern structures. The architectural community in Pune has been at the forefront of this change, which they did by balancing the needs of a growing smart city with those of sustainable and context-sensitive design.
Titans of Urban Planning and Infrastructure
Architecture has played a key role in the formation of the city’s public and educational spaces. We see in their work a great degree of urbanism, which is a fine balance of function and form. Also in the commercial and housing sectors, we see the work of Avinash Nawathe Associates and Edifice Co., which is very much at the forefront of development. They are developing projects that cater to the city’s growing IT and automotive workforce. What is also great about these firms is their success in manoeuvring through complex regulatory environments, which they do so to bring to pass very iconic structures.
Masters of Contemporary Living and Interiors
The look of residential in Pune is being shaped by architects who put luxury, minimalism, and fluid space planning into practice. Aijaz Hakim Workspaces and Tao Architecture are known for their custom approach to high-end residential and hospitality projects. They do very well at what we may term as modern tropical architecture, which includes the seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. Also in the mix are StudioHAUS and Ogling Inches Design Architects, which bring a very personal and eclectic touch to the design table; they play with materials and textures to stand out in the urban setting.
Champions of Sustainability and Vernacular Wisdom
In a world that is becoming more aware of climate change, at that time, we see that some of the Pune-based companies are at the forefront of sustainable design. Sunil Patil and Associates and Gabha Architects are known for their use of traditional elements, which in turn use local materials and climate-responsive solutions, resulting in lower carbon footprints for their structures. Also, VDGA Architects and Studio Course are a part of this trend, which present spaces that are very much rooted in the earth yet very much modern. Their work includes the use of exposed brick, natural stone and passive cooling, which we see does not have to sacrifice style for sustainability.
The Vanguard of 2025: A wide range to choose from.
In Pune, there is a large and diverse pool of architectural talent. Below is our list of the top 40 architecture firms that are doing very well in the city.
- 4th Axis Design Studio
- Aijaz Hakim Workspaces
- Archilab Design Solutions
- Avinash Nawathe Associates
- CCBA Designs
- Chaney Architects
- Core Architecture
- Design Consultants Architects Pvt Ltd (DCAPL)
- DSP Design Associates
- Edifice Co.
- Finch Architecture and Project Management
- Gabha Architects And Interior Designers
- Green Hat Studio
- Green Lounge
- Ground 11
- Group Phi
- KTGY
- M+P Architects Collaborative
- Metaphors Design
- MJA (Manoj Joshi Architects)
- Nuvo Designs
- Ogling Inches Design Architects
- Neelesh Chopda Architecture (Onus Designs)
- STOA Design
- Studio 55
- Studio Course
- StudioHAUS
- S2A Studio
- Shitesh Agrawal Architects
- Studio Percept
- Suchi Vora Architecture Collaborative
- Sunil Patil and Associates
- Tao Architecture
- The Wall by Elham
- Transitions Design
- Urban Tree Architecture
- VDGA Architects
- Veekas Studio
- VK:a Architecture
- VSGS Architects and Planners
Conclusion
In 2025, Pune’s architecture is a story of diversity and innovation. From heritage-sensitive interventions of Kimaya (which are a part of larger conservation efforts) to high-tech corporate parks designed by DSP Design Associates, the city’s built environment is in good hands. These 40 firms are the best in the business, which are shaping a design culture that is at once respectful of its past and ambitious for the future. Whether it is through adaptive reuse, sustainable townships, or avant-garde interiors, these architects are raising the bar of what it means to live and work in Pune.
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