On the evening of January 8th, 2025, a distinguished gathering of 125 prominent personalities from various fields gathered in New Delhi to celebrate the life and work of the late Prof. Christopher Benninger, a master architect and planner. The occasion was the launch of the much-anticipated book Great Expectations: Notes to an Architect, a tribute to Benninger's profound influence on the field of architecture and urban planning.
The event was a remarkable blend of nostalgia, respect, and admiration for Prof. Benninger’s invaluable contributions to architecture and his lifelong commitment to creating spaces that resonated with cultural and environmental sensitivities.
The book Great Expectations: Notes to an Architect was formally launched by an esteemed panel comprising Mr. Ramprasad Akkisetti, H.E. Zozo Binti Josephine (Charge d'Affaires, Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo), Nidheesh Tyagi (Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Abir Pothi), Mr. Aman Nath (Co-Founder & Chairman of Neemrana Hotels), and Mrs. Kavita Rohilla, marking a significant moment in the event.
A special segment of the evening included talks by Lt Gen Vikas Rohilla and Mr. Aman Nath. Both speakers shared anecdotes and insights that added depth to the legacy of Prof. Benninger’s work.
The intellectual exchange continued as Ramprasad Akkisetti, engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Radhikha Dhummal, exploring the creative process behind the book and the profound impact of Prof. Benninger on architectural thought and practice.
In attendance were several luminaries, including:
Professor Arvind Kumar Jain, Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Delhi
Professor Iftikhar Mulk Chishti, Architect and Educator
K. J. Alphons, former Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism
H.E. Zozo Binti Josephine, Charge d' Affaires, Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Lt Gen Vikas Kohli and Kavita Rohilla
Ar. Jagadeesh Taluri
Maj Gen Deepak Berry
Mr. Aman Nath, Co-Founder & Chairman, Neemrana Hotels
Prof. Rajendra Kumar, Director of the School of Architecture and Design at LPU
Ar. Rajiv Biala, Vice-Chairman, IIA Northern Chapter
Nidheesh Tyagi, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Abir Pothi
Prof. Anuradha Chaturvedi, Associate Professor at SPA New Delhi
Jaya Jaitly, Indian politician, activist, author, Indian handicrafts curator, and former President of Samata Party
Sunita Kohli, Padma Shri recipient
Ar. Arnav Mathur, Ar. Akash Srivastava, Ar. Kartik Chanana, and Smita Sahi, among others.
The evening was not just a book launch, but a celebration of Prof. Benninger's life and philosophy, an exploration of his vast contributions to architecture, and a gathering of like-minded individuals who shared a passion for architectural excellence.
Event Details:
Date: 08 January 2025
Day: Wednesday
Time: 06:00 pm onwards
Venue: India International Centre, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi
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