Architect Atul Desai, Former IIA President and the creative mind behind Whistling Woods International - India's premier Film, Communication & Creative Arts Institute- has sadly passed away at the age of 82.
Atul Desia was the proprietor of Atul Desai and Associates and the partner of IAG Consultants and Atul Desai Consultants. He served as the President of PEATA (Practising Engineers, Architects, & Town Planners Association) from 1983-1985 and was the President of IIA (Indian Institute of Architects) from 1998 to 2000. He was currently the trustee of IIA (Indian Institute of Architects).
Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, India
He was the architect behind the impressive Whistling Woods International- A Film, communication and creative arts institute located in Mumbai, India run by Indian Filmmaker Subhash Ghai in association with Mukta Arts and Film City Mumbai. The architect has designed several iconic buildings such as Prism Towers at Mindspace, Malad (W) for K.Raheja Corp; Natraj Center at Andheri for Keystone Group; Metro Cinema for Adlabs Films & Metro Entertainment; AGA KHAN PALACE, Yerawada, Pune, Hindoostan Mills (Vivaria) for K.Raheja Corp at Mahalaxmi; Mass Housing Project at Malad(W) for M.H.A.D.A.; AMANTRA at Kalyan for TATA Housing Dev.Co., and many more.
He received several awards during his lifetime, including the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Durian Society Interior Awards in 2005 for excellence in the field of Architecture, J.I.I.A. Award (Group Housing - 1996) for excellence in Architecture for a Community Housing Project at Yerwada, Pune, for Aga Khan Housing Board, Received IIA’s award for the Whistling Woods Film Institute at Film City, Mumbai, to name a few.
Rustomjee Natraj, Mumbai
Subhash Ghai, Indian film director, producer and screenwriter, said, “ RIP Sh Atul DESAI sir, The unique architect of India who blessed us with his unique design of @Whistling_Woods International which remains a pride for all of us always. I remember today that he called me 30 times to his office to know my vision of a world-class film school before he designed it. Finally, he made it as a world-class design to inspire the young creative minds of India.”
Surfaces Reporter (SR) presents its sincere condolences to Ar Atul Desai’s family, relatives, and friends for this loss. May his soul rest in peace.
Images Courtesy: https://iagconsultants.com
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