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24 Dec 2025

Atul Shah Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award by Architect & Interiors India

Veteran architect Atul Shah, whose work has shaped India’s urban and commercial landscape for over four decades, was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Aces of Space Design Awards 2025, organised by Architect & Interiors India. The ceremony was held on December 12, 2025, at Sofitel, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai — a venue of particular significance, as Shah was closely involved in its development decades earlier.

Bestowing the honour, Architect & Interiors India described Shah as “one of India’s most revered and influential architects, whose work has profoundly shaped lives and landscapes alike.”

Editor Sumisha Gilotra said that this recognition was a celebration of his “unparalleled vision, relentless pursuit of innovation, and lifelong dedication to enhancing the quality of life for millions.”

Atul Shah founded Access Architects in 1981 at the age of 28. Over the next 45 years, he built the firm into one of India’s respected architectural practices, consistently pushing the boundaries of design, planning, and technology. Widely regarded as a visionary and thought leader, Shah was among the earliest proponents of integrating computing into architectural practice in India, well before digital tools became mainstream.

His firm was among the first in the country to adopt computer-aided building design in the early 1990s and today continues to operate at the forefront of innovation, leveraging BIM software, 3D scanning, and 3D printing to create smarter, more efficient, and sustainable built environments.

Shah is also recognised as a trailblazer in construction methodologies. He was among the earliest advocates of aluminium and pneumatic shuttering systems for high-rise buildings in India — innovations that significantly improved efficiency, cost control, and execution timelines.

Under his stewardship, Access Architects has delivered over a thousand projects across the country, ranging from ultra-luxury residential developments on Altamount Road to five landmark buildings within the Bandra Kurla Complex, including the iconic Sofitel Hotel, which fittingly hosted the award ceremony.

Beyond large commercial and residential projects, Shah has consistently chosen to undertake pro bono architectural work for charitable and educational institutions across the country. This includes long-standing involvement with institutions such as Vidyamandir in Palanpur, along with multiple school and institutional buildings, reflecting his belief that good design should meaningfully serve education and society, not only commerce.

While the Lifetime Achievement Award marks a milestone, Shah’s legacy continues through the next generation of the family – his son, Jay Atul Shah and nephew Anuj Shah, who followed him into the profession. Guided by Atul Shah, they are now executing landmark projects across many leading global cities, and are integrating cutting edge tech, like artificial intelligence through Kaizen AI, in their practice.

Reflecting on the values that shaped their work, they said, “In our industry, legacy isn’t claimed. It’s built — through responsibility taken early, decisions stood by over time, and work that continues to perform long after it is completed.”

They add that the Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates not just decades of practice, but a living legacy — one rooted in responsibility, service, and a belief in using the best tools of each era to create enduring value.