Kumar & Swamy Architects · Est. 1969 · Bangalore
General notes · The practice

About us.

A family-owned practice in its third generation — a legacy of over fifty-five years and more than sixty institutions built across India. Listen first, draw second.

C R Shivakumar, founder
Our founder

C R Shivakumar

C R Shivakumar was born in 1938 in Bangalore. After studying civil engineering at Central College Bangalore — one of India’s oldest colleges — he established Kumar and Swamy in 1969, one of Bangalore’s oldest architecture practices, which grew from a civil-engineering outfit into an architecture and design house.

A remarkable human being with an indomitable passion for life, he was an avid reader and traveller who explored South India, parts of North India, and Europe. He married Uma Shivakumar, a renowned personality of the Kannada theatre and film industry. A patron of music, dance, drama and writing, he held a deep love for nature and for Bangalore — values he instilled in his family.

Partners & family

The team.

Sanchali Harsha
T-01Partner
Sanchali Harsha
Partner
Paromita Harsha
T-02Partner
Paromita Harsha
Partner
Harsha Shivakumar
T-03Partner
Harsha Shivakumar
Partner
Suchitra Harsha
T-04Partner
Suchitra Harsha
Partner
Method · 01–06

Our design approach.

01 / 06
Aspiration first
We help our clients achieve their aspirations — the brief begins with their values, not our signature.
02 / 06
Form follows validity
Spaces should balance aesthetic appeal with functional validity, tested against real daily use.
03 / 06
Of its place
We incorporate indigenous cultural expressions evolved through climate, materials and customs.
04 / 06
Discovery & anticipation
Experience is enriched through discovery and anticipation — a building should unfold as you move through it.
05 / 06
Always learning
Learning from leading institutions, here and abroad, continually informs our practice.
06 / 06
Intellectually alive
Passion drives the creation of intellectually stimulating environments for the people who use them.
Scope of services · 01–08

Eight briefs,
one practice.

Full scope →
01 / 08
Institutional & Campus Design
Schools, universities and civic institutions — from a single block to a full multi-phase campus masterplan.
02 / 08
Masterplanning
Long-horizon planning that anticipates growth, climate and culture. We think in decades, not quarters.
03 / 08
Infrastructure
Civic and public infrastructure designed for the scale, movement and pace of a growing city.
04 / 08
Sports Facilities
Stadiums, academies and training facilities — designed for athletes, spectators and the city alike.
05 / 08
Healthcare
Hospitals and clinical interiors where clarity, calm and operational efficiency share the brief equally.
06 / 08
Residential & Hospitality
Homes, resorts and hospitality that balance comfort, place and craft over the long life of a building.
07 / 08
Interiors
The inside of a building: libraries, classrooms, workplaces and public rooms tuned for real daily use.
08 / 08
Product Design
Furniture, fittings and bespoke elements — down to the details that carry the identity of a place.
The studio

More than an office.

At Kumar and Swamy, architecture extends beyond the office. We prioritise individual development: small teams of architects and interns are given real design opportunities and the freedom for creative expression.

We encourage music, film and art appreciation as essential to architectural success, and we value travel and cultural learning. Professional success, we believe, requires well-read, well-travelled, well-rounded individuals.

Work with us →