Brinda Somaya

Built on 12 acres of land near Vadodara in Gujarat, Nalanda International School started its construction in 2003. 4 acres of land was separated for the sports and games facilities. Somaya reflected the tradition of Jaipur in her project by using the local brick produced by the local masons. She designed the projects to ensure peace and tranquillity to the students as well as for sustainability.

A school in Bhadli was rebuilt in 2002, a primary co ed school with 194 students and 6 teachers. A temporary school was built initially so that the students could continue their education. Somaya worked closely with villagers and used locally available materials to save money.

In 1999, Somaya was a founder trustee for the HECAR Foundation in India. In 2000, she served as the Chairperson and the curator for the Women in Architecture 2000 Plus-Conference and exhibition on the works of the South Asian Women Architects, a global showcase platform for women architects from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan.

Somaya began her architectural practice in 1978 in Mumbai, India. Her firm's first office was in the back of her garden. From 1978 to 1981 she was joined by her sister Ranjini Kalappa, also an architect. After her sister left for Holland, she worked on her own. Somaya has travelled to the rural parts of India, from where she has got knowledge and inspiration for vernacular architecture. One such example is The Nalanda International Schools in Vadodara where she reflects the vernacular architecture by using the locally available resources and techniques, pergolas and courtyard. She reflects the Indian ethos in her architecture, her designs are called both traditional and sustainable Her work includes corporate, industrial and institutional campuses and extends to public spaces, which she has rebuilt and reinvented as pavements, parks and plazas. Some of these campuses include Tata Consultancy Services, Banyan Park, Mumbai; Nalanda International School, Vadodara; and Zensar Technologies, Pune. Her firm won the competition for the Restoration and Enhancement of the historic Louis Kahn Buildings of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad as well as the new Academic Buildings of the Indian Institute of Technology.

Brinda Somaya (born 28 June 1949) is an Indian architect and urban conservationist.

Somaya was born on 28 June 1949 to K.M Chinnappa and Ganavati Chinnappa. She later joined the Cathedral & John Connon School's science program. Somaya won 1966 a prestigious American Field Service International Scholarship to study in the United States (North Carolina). Afterwards, she was highly inspired to take up architecture. In 1967, she returned to India and completed her Bachelor of Architecture from Sir J.J. School of Architecture in Mumbai, graduating in 1971. Somaya chose to return to the U.S. and joined Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she graduated in 1973 with a Masters of Arts degree. She attended a short design course at Cornell University in 1972.