S Gopakumar, founder and architect of Kochi-based Kumar Group Total Designers, became the first architect from Kerala to be awarded the Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal for the year 2020, by the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), the national body of architects in India. The award was conferred upon S Gopakumar for his outstanding contribution to the profession and Indian architecture.
“It is a privilege to receive this honour from IIA and to be included in the list of some of the elite names in architecture. This only motivates me to further work towards putting India on the global map of modern architecture and redesign our future,” said S Gopakumar.
The award was given on July 12, 2020, at the IIA national convention – Transcend, by IIA national president, Divya Kush. This is the most coveted award given to an architect in India by the apex body IIA.
The previous winners of this award are renowned architects like Padma Shri Achyut Kanvinde, Padma Vibushan Charles Correa, Padma Shri BV Doshi, Padma Shri Laurie Baker, to name a few.
Established in 1917, IIA has more than 20,000 architects as members and plays a major role in promoting the profession of architecture in India.