NYC 2026 Paul Mellon Lecture: An Architect’s Journey through the Indian Landscape Conserving the Old, Building the New

In 2026, the annual Paul Mellon Lecture will be given by architect and urban conservationist Brinda Somaya. Drawing on decades of experience, she will explore the idea that architecture is not just about buildings and aesthetics but also about people, politics, and social responsibility.

Shaped by Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Islamic, colonial, and modernist traditions, India’s built environment reflects centuries of cultural exchange and transformation. Today, architects in South Asia work across an extraordinary range of contexts—from informal settlements to heritage sites and from major corporate headquarters to public buildings. The region’s architects navigate stark social and economic divides, with projects spanning conservation, cutting-edge design, and grassroots engagement.

Placing inclusion and cultural sensitivity at the core of her work, Somaya sees diversity as essential to building a just society, enriching creativity, and producing powerful design solutions. She advocates for a new kind of architect who moves easily between rural and urban worlds, works closely with communities, and sees design as a collaborative, evolving process.

In conversation with architects Jeanne Gang and Billie Tsien and President and CEO of WMF Bénédicte de Montlaur, Somaya will explore how new buildings can arise from historic settings, honoring the past while meeting the needs of the present and future. Together, they will reflect on the architect’s role, underscoring how thoughtful design can bridge heritage conservation and community engagement.

Co-presented with The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture of The Cooper Union, this event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. The event will also be livestreamed for those wishing to join us from home.

Doors open at 6:00 PM and the program will begin at 6:15 PM.