Cities and Us: How Architecture Shapes Culture
6 – 8
April 2025
STEM
21 Days

About Project
Cities are shaped by their built spaces, influencing how people live, work, and connect. However, urban structures are often designed without fully considering cultural identity, community needs, or sustainability. In this project, students will explore how architecture contributes to building better cities by reflecting history, social values, and functionality. Using research, ideation, and hands-on design, they will construct a model of an urban structure—such as a bridge, marketplace, or public square—that balances aesthetics, purpose, and cultural significance. Deliverables include a design of a physical model of the structure explaining its design choices. Through this project, students will develop creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and an understanding of how architecture can make cities more livable and inclusive.
Expert Profile
Sourabh Gupta is the visionary founder and Principal Architect of Studio Archohm, a leading design studio established in 1999 in Noida, India. With a Bachelor’s in Architecture from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, and a Master’s in Urban Design from TU Delft, Netherlands, Sourabh brings a global perspective to contemporary Indian architecture. His diverse education also includes studies in alternate technology in Auroville and earthquake-resistant technologies in London, reflecting his commitment to innovative and responsible design.
Under Sourabh’s leadership, Studio Archohm has evolved into a multidisciplinary practice, offering consultancy in architecture, urban design, interiors, landscape, and product design. The firm’s portfolio spans a wide range of scales—from designing a chair to master-planning entire cities—working on projects like cultural centers, museums, hospitals, and urban interventions such as Dilli Haat in Janakpuri and the revitalization of Lucknow’s historic center. Sourabh’s design philosophy emphasizes social responsibility, sustainability, and contextual relevance, ensuring each project engages with its environment and community meaningfully.
A passionate advocate for design education, Sourabh founded The Design Village, an interdisciplinary institute in Noida, and has mentored young architects while serving as a visiting faculty at Harvard and London Metropolitan University for earthquake rehabilitation. His work has been recognized internationally, earning accolades like the Elle Décor International Design Award in 2011, and has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions.
Sourabh believes architecture is more than construction—it’s about creating spaces that foster community, inspire ideas, and reflect the times we live in. Through Studio Archohm, he continues to redefine public spaces, blending tradition with modernity, and empowering emerging communities with designs that are both functional and human-centric.
