Bhubaneswar: The soil of Odisha breathes with the rhythms of ancient stone carvers, the profound depth of Shree Jagannatha culture, and a legacy of art that has survived millennia.
In a historic step towards giving this eternal heritage a global canvas, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Department of Works and Chairman of the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation, has spearheaded a visionary initiative.
By inviting world-class international organizations to design the Odisha Asmita Bhawan, this endeavor bridges local pride with global architectural excellence.
During the presentations on 3 July, top administrators were struck by how deeply these elite global firms have immersed themselves in the ethos of the Eastern State of India. The level of research displayed by these international masters revealed an astonishingly nuanced understanding of Odia culture, traditions, and philosophy, sometimes articulating the subtle essence of the land with a depth that amazed even the local custodians of history.
The elite line-up of global alliances who presented their visions for this cultural monument highlights the massive scale of the project; firstly Tractebel Engineering Pvt. Ltd. as Lead Member, partnering with the iconic Pei Cobb Freed and Partners Architects LLP as JV Partner. Founded by legendary architect I. M. Pei, this New York based powerhouse is celebrated globally for defining urban skylines and creating timeless cultural spaces, most famously recognized for the iconic glass Louvre Pyramid in Paris and the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
Secondly the renowned Adjaye Associates as Lead Member, collaborating with Aadharshila Designs Pvt. Ltd. as JV Partner. Established by the visionary Sir David Adjaye, this highly acclaimed international practice is famous for its deeply narrative architectural style that respects local heritage, famously embodied in their masterwork, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.
Another global giant, Ecofirst Services Limited serving as Lead Member, alongside the forward-thinking Van Berkel en Bos U.N. Studio B.V. as JV Partner. Known globally as UNStudio, this avant-garde Dutch master class specializes in highly innovative, futuristic infrastructural and urban developments, renowned for breaking conventional design boundaries through structural marvels like the spectacular Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart and the fluid Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam.
The distinguished Peddle Throp and Walker International Pty. Ltd. as Lead Member, joining forces with Architects Studio as JV Partner. Bringing rich coastal and institutional expertise, this premium Australian legacy firm is widely recognized across the Asia-Pacific region for its large-scale civic projects, master planning, and sophisticated commercial designs that integrate seamless sustainability with cultural context.
The legendary Steven Holl Architects as Lead Member, pairing up with STUDIO OPOLIS LLP as JV Partner. Helmed by one of America’s most influential and decorated contemporary architects, this New York and Beijing based design studio is internationally revered for its poetic handling of natural light and space, celebrated through masterpieces like the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki and the glowing Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art extension.
This gathering of architectural giants marks a defining moment in the modern renaissance of Odisha, ensuring that the Odisha Asmita Bhawan will not just be a building, but a living testament to Odia identity, crafted by the finest minds on Earth.