Chennai Till 2035: Ar. Murali Murugan On City’s Future Development
- November 14, 2025
- By: Sanyukta Baijal
- INFLUENCERS
Chennai’s infrastructural landscape has seen a remarkable transformation over the past few decades. Once centered mainly around Mount Road, the city has now grown into a polycentric urban form with several key hubs like Anna Nagar, Adyar, Velachery, and more. Each of these nuclei has become a self-sustaining hub, witnessing constant residential and commercial growth. This decentralisation has breathed new life into the city, sending ripples of growth along multiple corridors and allowing fresh urban identities to bloom across the metropolitan region.
Shedding light on the same, Chennai’s renowned architect Murali Murugan of firm, Murali Architects has spoken about the evolving landscape of the city in the coming decade. Talking about Chennai’s expansion, he said, “The city’s infrastructure has kept pace through the development of flyovers, arterial roads, and most notably, the metro network. The metro has become a vital thread tying the independent centres together, and creating a well-connected and efficient urban hub. Once the network reaches completion, Chennai will stand as a seamlessly linked metropolis, enhancing accessibility and easing the urban commute.”
Speaking of residential development, the architect said, “The residential development is witnessing a remarkable upswing along the transit corridors from Anna Nagar to Akkarai on the ECR and from Sholinganallur to Padur along the OMR. It’s impressive to see Chennai’s skyline expanding both vertically and horizontally which reflects a dynamic economic and social transformation at the same time.”
This wave of progress has sparked an unprecedented demand for architectural expertise, placing the architects and designers at the forefront of shaping buildings as well as the entire lifestyles and communities.
Mr. Murugan stated that there has been a paradigm shift in clientele and design philosophy. In the earlier times, business-oriented clients focused specifically on status and grandeur, but today, the new generation working as IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and educated homeowners is looking for practicality and sustainability.
He said, “These clients approach architecture with thoughtfulness, questioning every material and design decision, whether it’s choosing marble or optimizing daylight within a space. The focus has shifted from ostentation to authenticity, from luxury to liveability.”
He added, “This evolution calls for architects who are not just designers but also environmental stewards. Sustainable and energy-conscious design is no longer an option but an expectation. Those who embrace this responsibility, integrating ecology, efficiency, and empathy into their practice, will define the next chapter of Chennai’s architectural story.”
Also read: 5 Design Features Of Chennai’s Traditional Homes
Also read: A luxurious Seaside Multigenerational Family Home In Chennai
Also read: Exclusive- Ar. Harini T Raja Talks About Chennai's Architectural Evolution In the Coming Decade
