Seven Architectural Projects Set to Shape India’s Built Landscape in 2026

• Major defence, education, hospitality and IT projects enter crucial phases

• Strong focus on sustainability, public access and contextual design

• CP Kukreja Architects leads several landmark developments nationwide

As India approaches 2026, its architectural landscape is undergoing a visible transformation. Across cities and regions, architecture is responding not only to functional demands but also to cultural identity, sustainability, and long-term urban growth. From defence headquarters and technology hubs to public parks, schools and luxury hotels, the coming year will mark a decisive phase for several high-impact projects that are expected to reshape how institutions, cities and public spaces function.

A common thread running through these developments is the growing emphasis on human-centric design—spaces that are secure yet welcoming, efficient yet rooted in context. At the centre of many of these projects is CP Kukreja Architects, whose work spans some of India’s most ambitious institutional, educational and urban initiatives. Together, these seven projects offer a glimpse into how India’s built environment will evolve in the near future.

Thal Sena Bhawan, New Delhi

One of the most significant institutional projects currently underway is the new Indian Army Headquarters, known as Thal Sena Bhawan, in Delhi Cantonment. Designed as a symbol of unity, strength and discipline, the project translates the ethos of the Indian Army into a powerful architectural form.

Inspired by the crossed swords and national emblem featured in the Army’s insignia, the building adopts a clear geometric identity while remaining sensitive to its surroundings. Hundreds of existing trees on the site have been carefully integrated into the design, ensuring minimal ecological disruption.

The planning prioritises security, connectivity and operational efficiency. Internal circulation is designed to reduce travel distances between departments, drawing inspiration from global defence headquarters such as the Pentagon. Landscaped courtyards woven into the building footprint provide light, calm and spatial relief within a highly secure environment. In 2026, the project will progress into advanced detailing and coordination, moving closer to becoming a defining national landmark.

ONGC International Convention and Expo Centre, Goa

Spread across a large campus, the ONGC International Convention and Expo Centre in Goa is set to become one of India’s most important venues for conferences, exhibitions and executive training. The project includes three key components: a Convention Centre, an Exhibition Hall and a Management Training Facility.

The Convention Centre features high-capacity halls, retractable stages, VVIP and VIP areas, and expansive pre-function spaces. Circulation systems have been carefully planned to segregate public, VIP and VVIP movement, including direct helipad access for high-level delegations.

The Exhibition Hall spans nearly 120 metres, offering flexible, column-free space supported by efficient service and mezzanine levels. Meanwhile, the Management Training Facility provides a focused academic environment with classrooms, collaborative zones and outdoor linkages. Architecturally, the campus draws inspiration from Goa’s colours, textures and coastal character. With construction activities intensifying in 2026, the project is expected to become a national hub for knowledge exchange.

Queen Elizabeth School, Gurugram

The Queen Elizabeth School in Gurugram presents a rare blend of heritage-inspired architecture and contemporary educational planning. Rooted in Elizabethan traditions dating back to the 16th century, the school reinterprets classical English architectural elements for modern learning environments.

Red brick façades, stone detailing, towers and gabled roofs define the academic blocks, evoking English Renaissance proportions. In contrast, the auditorium introduces a bold contemporary form inspired by a crown, giving the campus a distinct visual anchor.

The masterplan integrates academic, residential and sports facilities into a cohesive and walkable campus. Courtyards, landscaped zones and pedestrian pathways ensure that large-scale development remains intimate and accessible. As the project moves into major construction phases in 2026, it is set to establish a new benchmark for private school campuses in India.

Technocity & Technopark Phase IV, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala’s Technocity, part of Technopark Phase IV, is envisioned as one of India’s most advanced technology districts. Spread across nearly 390 acres, the masterplan combines high-density IT infrastructure with ecological preservation and social amenities.

The development is organised into three districts: a Central District with mixed-use public functions, an Eco District preserving forests and water bodies, and an IT Park District housing commercial and technology facilities. Pedestrian-friendly streets, shaded walkways, elevated nature trails and non-motorised transport networks form the backbone of mobility planning.

Sustainability is embedded at every level, from stormwater management to afforestation strategies. Alongside the masterplan, the Technopark IT Building is being developed as a major anchor structure. In 2026, both projects will move into deeper execution stages, laying the foundation for a future-ready IT ecosystem.

American Embassy School, New Delhi

The American Embassy School (AES) in Chanakyapuri is undergoing a carefully phased campus transformation aimed at modernising facilities while ensuring uninterrupted academic operations. The redevelopment begins with a new Wellness Centre and High School Annex, followed by renovations to existing academic blocks and administrative areas.

Future phases include upgraded infrastructure, workshops and new plant facilities. The planning is notable for its sensitive sequencing, ensuring student safety, continuous access and functional learning spaces at every stage.

By 2026, AES is expected to enter advanced implementation phases, positioning the campus as a benchmark for international school planning and adaptive redevelopment in India.

Rashtrapati Udyan, Dehradun

Set against the Himalayan foothills, Rashtrapati Udyan is among the most ambitious public landscape projects in Uttarakhand. The redevelopment transforms the site into a multi-layered public park that blends ecology, recreation and culture.

The masterplan includes zones such as the Sanskriti Udyan, biodiversity areas, forested landscapes, an amphitheatre, meditation pavilions, play courts and a central lake. Miyawaki forests, thematic gardens and oxygen-rich plantations support ecological regeneration.

With cycling tracks, elevated nature walks and diverse activity zones, the park is designed to reconnect citizens with nature. Active development in 2026 will position Rashtrapati Udyan as a major public space landmark in North India.

Taj Hotel, Lucknow

The expansion of Taj Hotel, Lucknow, adds 96 luxury rooms across nearly 100,000 square feet, strengthening one of the city’s most prominent hospitality destinations. Located at Vipin Khand with views of the Ambedkar Memorial Park and Gomti Nagar riverfront, the design respects the hotel’s classical architectural language.

Symmetry, arches, rectilinear windows and corniced parapets define the façade, while a double-height colonnade enhances the arrival experience. Guest rooms open to landscaped courts, emphasising light, calm and understated luxury. The project reinforces Lucknow’s growing stature as a premium hospitality destination.