Exclusive: Ar. Harini T Raja Talks About Chennai's Architectural Evolution In the Coming Decade
- November 10, 2025
- By: Sanyukta Baijal
- INFLUENCERS
As Chennai continues to grow into an urban hub of progress, its timeless temples and classic buildings celebrate the city’s deep-rooted heritage and enduring cultural soul. However, as the architectural landscape of city is changing rapidly, architects are reimagining what Chennai's built environment could look like in the coming decade.
To shed the light about the same, Chennai's architect Harini T Raja spoke to Building Material Reporter exclusively. She believes that despite becoming one of the premium metropolitan cities of India, Chennai is embracing its culture, climate and local materials. "In ten years, I see te city's architecture becoming more rooted, responsive, and responsible."
Ar. Harini further added, "Through our work at studio DCode, I’ve realised that the future lies in adaptive reuse, sustainable detailing, and design that respects memory while shaping new experiences. I believe Chennai’s architecture will reflect a balance where old and traditional effortlessly meet with modernity."
She also emphasises that restoring heritage structures should take priority over replacing them, as preservation not only retains the city’s architectural character but also strengthens its cultural continuity.
"As a practice, we hope to continue contributing by demonstrating that renewal can be more powerful than replacement, and that meaningful architecture is always born from context and conscience, she adds.
About Ar. Harini T Raja
Harini is an architect and co-founder of studio DCode, a Chennai-based firm recognised for its contextually grounded, sustainable, and craft-driven approach to design. She is a graduate with Bachelor’s in Architecture from Madras University and Master’s in Urban Design from Greenwich University, London.
About the firm
studio DCode’s projects span institutional, residential, heritage restoration, and adaptive reuse, each marked by a sensitivity to place, material, and memory. The practice believes in renewal over replacement and approaches architecture as a balancing art between the old and new structures. This is to maintain the cultural continuity as well as modern relevance.
Through its work, studio DCode strives to build evergreen spaces that are thoughtful, and rooted in context while reflecting a quiet architectural identity for Chennai and beyond.
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