Our Story

India’s independence in 1947 came at a tremendous cost, with Punjab bearing one of the heaviest burdens. The partition led to the loss of Lahore — Punjab’s cultural and administrative center — to Pakistan, leaving East Punjab without a capital. To fill this void, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru envisioned a new city: Chandigarh.

The project was first entrusted to American planner Albert Mayer, who collaborated with Polish-American architect Mathew Nowicki. Their efforts were cut short when Nowicki tragically died in a plane crash in 1950. Undeterred, Engineer P.L. Verma and Prem Nath Thapar, head of “Project Capitol,” traveled to Europe to find a new team.

Their search led them to British architects Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew, who, in turn, recommended Le Corbusier. Corbusier brought in his cousin and collaborator Pierre Jeanneret, forming the core of what came to be known as Team Capitol — a group of four foreign architects, nine Indian architects and planners, and a robust team of engineers, draughtsmen, and designers.

Together, they created a city that remains a lasting testament to resilience, innovation, and the bold spirit of a newly independent India.

Chandigarh today stands as an epitome of modernist architecture, presenting itself as one of the most successful experiments in urban planning & spatial design. 

Chandigarh Architecture Lab (CAL) is a research- and design-focused initiative by TUBB, founded in response to Chandigarh’s enduring architectural relevance. Positioned as more than a passion project, CAL is a commitment to examine, celebrate, and contribute meaningfully to the continued evolution of the city’s modernist legacy.

Born from a deep respect for Chandigarh’s visionary design and planning, CAL stands firm in its belief that architecture can do more than just shape cities, it can shape the future of humanity. This city, imagined by some of the greatest minds of the 20th century, was never just a blueprint. It was a symbol of progress, of a nation looking forward- ready for the world.

Through research, exhibitions, and public engagement, CAL is building a platform that doesn’t just look back — it looks ahead.The aim is to honour the rich design legacy of the city by means of curated architectural walks, authentic, sensitively-reproduced Chandigarh furniture & crafted objects that serve as souvenirs of the city. 

An ongoing venture, at CAL, involves systematic documentation and critical mapping of the city’s built fabric — not merely as an act of preservation, but as a deeper inquiry into the urban and ideological genesis of Chandigarh. CAL aims to shape conversations around the city’s future through seminars, discussions, and design-led initiatives. It encourages architects, planners, and citizens to imagine the next phase of Chandigarh—one that respects its original vision while responding to today’s urban needs.

The goal is to influence the city’s growth without compromising its architectural character, spatial clarity, or civic integrity.

Chandigarh Architecture Lab (CAL) evolves alongside the city it celebrates. As Chandigarh continues to transform, CAL invites architects, designers, students, and citizens to contribute ideas that encourage dialogue, collaboration, and community-building. It is committed to cultivating a design-centric culture grounded in shared values and creative exchange.

Together, we aim to shape a future where design leads the way — driving progress, empowering communities, and defining the very identity of Chandigarh.