Anand Sharma: A Visionary Architect Shaping India’s Future

With a serendipitous journey into architecture diverging from his family’s background in engineering and medicine, Anand Sharma co-founded Design Forum International (DFI) and has since become a passionate advocate for socially inclusive and sustainable design in India. His background merges technical precision with human-centric considerations, resulting in a multidisciplinary approach that has delivered impactful design solutions for over 30 years.

As a leader, Anand sees himself as a “cog in the wheel” of life and architecture, with responsibilities assigned according to one’s stature in the space-time continuum. This humble perspective drives his leadership style, emphasising collaboration, open communication, and the empowerment of team members to contribute their unique skills and perspectives. His leadership has been instrumental in DFI’s involvement in numerous projects of national significance, including airports, civic infrastructure, mid to large-scale luxury housing, and large-scale commercial and residential developments. Anand’s “People First” philosophy, combined with a deep-rooted belief in creating “honest, democratic, and people-centric designs that stand on their own,” ensures that every project prioritises the needs and experiences of the end-user while minimising environmental impact.

Anand is at the forefront of reimagining traditional workplaces and residential spaces to better align with the evolving needs of modern India. He seamlessly blends his multidisciplinary background and broad vision to synthesise diverse perspectives and create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Projects such as the Gulf Adiba building in Gurugram, inspired by the shifting sands of the Gulf region with its unique self-shading facade, the IT and commercial park—Eye of Noida—a self-contained ecosystem redefining the mixed-use typology, and the headquarters for Odisha Mining Corporation, are reimaging the concept of workspaces by integrating elements that promote well-being and create a seamless blend of work and life. He also leads the design of luxury residential projects like Rishita Mulberry and Silverglades Hightown, demonstrating his ability to adapt to the changing demands of the Indian real estate market.

As a philanthropist, Anand is deeply committed to creating affordable housing solutions for the most vulnerable communities. His work in this sector has significantly impacted the lives of countless families in Delhi-NCR and North-East India. A strong advocate for environmental consciousness, he champions sustainable design practices that minimise the ecological footprint of buildings. His projects often incorporate natural elements like walking paths, water features, and lush greenery, promoting a harmonious connection between the built environment and the surrounding landscape.

He is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences, sharing his perspectives on topics such as BIM technology, passive sustainability strategies in cities, airport design, and the evolving role of architects in India. His contributions have been recognised with numerous awards and accolades, including being named among India’s Top 30 Architects by Forbes India.

At DFI, we seek an egalitarian organization ethos, where unique architectural talent could find self-expression and contribute towards the development of human-centric architecture; findinding individualistic footing in a collaborative work environment.