Former Architect-in-Chief of Himachal PWD recognised for his outstanding contribution to architecture; has been associated with the planning and design of over 3,000 projects
Munish Sood
Shimla: Noted Himachal Pradesh architect Nand Lal Chandel was conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award–2026 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of architecture at the ICI–UltraTech Structure Awards 2026, held at Radisson Hotel Jass, Shimla, on Friday evening.
The awards ceremony was organised by the Indian Concrete Institute (ICI), Shimla Centre, in association with UltraTech Cement Limited. Dr Prabodh Saxena (IAS), Chairman of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) and former Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Dr Aditi Chauhan was the Guest of Honour. The programme also featured a technical presentation on “RCC Corrosion in India: Mechanisms, Codal Provisions, and the Realities of Structural Degradation”.
Chandel, a former Architect-in-Chief of the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD), is currently the Founder and Design Director of V3 Design Studio, Mandi. His professional career, spanning over four decades, has made a significant contribution to architectural planning, infrastructure development and landscape design in the state.
One of the major highlights of his professional career is his association with the planning, designing and detailing of more than 3,000 projects during his tenure in the PWD. These include residential, institutional and public buildings across six government departments, incorporating both contemporary and traditional architectural styles suited to Himachal’s geographical conditions and local building materials.
Born on September 2, 1964, in a remote area of Bilaspur district, Chandel completed his Diploma in Architectural Assistantship from Government Polytechnic College, Sundernagar, in 1984 as a member of its first graduating batch. He graduated in 1992 and subsequently obtained a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, in 1995, securing first division. During his postgraduate studies, he also won an international award in a competition held in Taiwan.
His professional journey began with the PWD in 1984. He subsequently served in the Shimla Development Authority, contributing to the planning and designing of the Commercial Complex at Kasumpti and the New Shimla Development Plan. From 1986 to 1996, he worked with the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, where he was associated with several hydroelectric projects, including the design of powerhouses, office and residential complexes, rest houses and landscape development.
He later served the PWD in various capacities, including Assistant Architect, Architect, Senior Architect, Chief Architect and Architect-in-Chief.
Besides his administrative and professional responsibilities, Chandel has held several important positions in leading architectural and engineering institutions. He served as an Executive Committee member of the Council of Architecture, New Delhi, and was also nominated to the Council by the Himachal Pradesh Government. He served as Immediate Past Chairman of the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Himachal Pradesh Chapter, for the terms 2020–23 and 2023–26, and is currently an Executive Committee member of the National Council of IIA.
He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India), a Chartered Architectural Engineer and currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Indian Concrete Institute, Shimla Centre. He has also contributed to architectural education as a visiting faculty member, external thesis expert and mentor to architecture students. He was a member of the Board of Studies for Bachelor of Architecture at Himachal Pradesh Technical University, Hamirpur.
Among his other notable recognitions, Chandel received the Pahari Nirman Shaili Sanrakshan Sammaan from Puratatwa Chetna Sangh, Mandi, in 2011. In March 2023, the Institution of Engineers (India) honoured him with the Eminent Engineering Personality award at its 37th National Convention of the Architectural Engineers Division in Pune. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dev Bhoomi International Film Festival Management in 2026.
The latest honour by the Indian Concrete Institute and UltraTech Cement is another recognition of his distinguished professional journey and contribution to architecture and infrastructure development in Himachal Pradesh.
