An engaging conversation with two architects who worked with Joseph Allen Stein on several of his projects, Meena Mani and Sudhish Mohindroo, moderated by journalist Mandira Nayar, was held at the Shridharini Art Gallery at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, on Saturday, March 15, 2026. Joseph Allen Stein, the renowned architect who moved to India from the United States of America in the 1950s, designed several buildings in India that continue to inspire architects even today.
This conversation focused on three of the Stein’s projects: the Triveni Kala Sangam, the India Habitat Centre and the Kashmir Conference Centre (now called the Sher-I-Kashmir International Conference Centre).
Meena Mani recounted how the India Habitat Centre began as an urban design project that amalgamated adjacent plots in the Lodhi Road area. She related that it was S.K. Sharma who was instrumental in conceptualising what then became the India Habitat Centre and was awarded to the firm of Stein, Bhalla, and Doshi. As the road traffic had increased manifold by this time, Stein designed the building to be inward-looking, with the structure shielding the internal courtyards from the surrounding traffic and noise. The multifunctional internal courtyards and spaces emanated from this design philosophy. The exposed-brick finish was suggested by S.K. Sharma, the then Chairman of HUDCO, which contributed to the distinctive look of the complex.
Meena recalled how Stein was always formal in his behaviour and conduct. He insisted on addressing her as Ms Mani for several years.
Meena said that the buildings that she worked on with Stein were designed in a very inclusive manner, and his attention to detail was extremely painstaking. Stein felt that the more time one spent on the design of a building, the longer it would live.
Stein was reserved and interacted with only the clients and associated professionals he felt comfortable with. There was a diverse team in his office, including engineers, architects, and the then-called clerks of works, who were primarily site supervisors. Contemporary architects were good friends and went out for picnics and outings together. She recalled seeing several international movies at the Shakuntalam cinema at the Pragati Maidan with the Steins.
Sudish Mohindroo regaled the audience with several anecdotes related to his experience of working in Stein’s office. He recalled that Stein’s personal car required the office to employ a mechanic as a regular employee to attend to the frequent breakdowns.
One day, Mohindroo was asked by Stein to accompany him on a site visit in his car. Stein drove down to the site of Triveni Kala Sangam and parked slightly ahead on the road, out of sight of the main building. He then asked Mohindroo to go inside and check if the lady (referring to Sundari Shridharini, the founder of Triveni Kala Sangam) was there. In case she was, under no circumstances was Mohindroo to call Stein inside. This was because Sundari Shridharini felt that the project was delayed, and Stein was reluctant to face her.
Mohindroo was instructed to meet the contractor and finalise the shade of the wall finish to match the colour of the shirt he himself was wearing. Sundari Shridharini happened to be present, and Mohindroo did as instructed, then returned to Stein, who continued to sit in the car out of sight. This pattern continued for several visits till one day Mohindroo was summoned to Stein’s office.
Mohindroo was apprehensive, as Stein rarely called people to his office and would usually come to their desks. Being called to Stein’s office meant one was either being hired or fired. Since he was already hired, he apprehended that he was about to be given his marching orders. When he entered Stein’s office, he was told that Sundari had asked Stein to fire his architect, who was regularly visiting Triveni and trying to impress the girls there! Of course, this didn’t happen, and ultimately Mohindroo ended up becoming Sundari’s son-in-law.
Mohindroo recalled how the Kashmir Conference Centre was designed around the Dal Lake, as Stein did not want to build on the mountains adjacent to it. The project drew criticism, as locals felt that public access to the Dal Lake would be restricted. Stein designed the gardens of the Centre in consonance with the adjacent Mughal Gardens. To Stein, the landscape was an integral part of the built form, and there was no distinction between the two.
Stein was extremely sensitive to ecology at a time when the word had not yet entered the lexicon of architects. He viewed buildings as human interventions which were an imposition on the environment. This is probably the reason why his buildings have an intimate connection with nature.
Displaying a perspective sketch of the Kashmir Conference Centre, Mohindroo recalled how Stein designed and refined the building elements on the sketch as he continued to work on it.
Mohindroo regaled the gathering with warm recollections of how Mr and Mrs Stein joined him and spent considerable time with him and his wife, Kavita, during their honeymoon in Kashmir. They painstakingly showed them around the bylanes of Kashmir and were extremely affectionate, even though Mohindroo had by then left Stein’s office. He said that Stein was extremely concerned about the state of urbanisation and the chaos of cities, squarely blaming it on architects and planners, as he felt that this was a consequence of poor design.
The gallery space was an interesting choice for the intimate gathering, which saw enthusiastic participation from the knowledgeable audience. Several architects who had worked with Stein were also present, as was Stein’s son, Ethan Stein. The presence of such eminent architects was a testimony to the respect and love that Joseph Allen Stein commands in the fraternity even today.
One Response
Well reported. Crisp and informative.