Architect Jasbir Sawhney, one of the early architects in India, passed away on 6 December 2023, at the age of 83 years.
Born on 31 October 1939, Sawhney’s 45 years of experience in the field of architecture began with him completing his bachelor’s in architecture from the University of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee), Uttar Pradesh, in 1964, after which he completed his Master’s education from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S.A. Before beginning his independent practice, Jasbir Sawhney worked as a Senior Designer with Charles Correa Architects and as an architect with Edward D. Stone, an architect in New York.
He soon established his firm, Jasbir Sawhney & Associates, with Saroj Sawhney (his partner). He carried out several notable works like the HUDCO Place, developed in 1998 for the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), Sanskriti School, New Delhi, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi (working as an associate architect with an American architect, Ralph Lerner who won the international competition for this project), Tata Research Development and Design Centre in Pune, Uttar Pradesh, and the Kashmere Gate metro station, New Delhi, in 2002.
Besides his practice, he also remained actively involved in academia through lectures in colleges and his association with Sushant School of Art & Architecture, Gurgaon (as a Visiting Professor andmember Board of Studies), TVB School of Habitat Studies, New Delhi (as a Visiting Professor), and School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi (as a Visiting Professor).
2 Responses
We have known Jasbir Sawhney ever since he married my cousin – Saroj. He was not only a professional architect excelling in his field, but also a great man as a person. A thorough gentleman, with pleasing manners, a loving and kind family member and a great human being – caring for every person.
Both I and my husband Rajan will miss him greatly. I still remember his smiling face when we last saw him in our family gathering at New Delhi.
We are still shocked by this sudden news of his passing away.
We will miss him.
Manju & Rajan Koshal.
I am proud to hv him as a relative may some of intellectual ability shower over me and may his kindness bless me MAY GOD BLESS HIM FOREVER