South Asian Heritage Month is celebrated annually between July/August (18 July to 17 August 2025), and is an opportunity to celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities. This year’s theme is Roots to Routes – exploring the unique stories that help shape who we are today.
Blogs and resources
What architecture can learn from South Asian culture
In this professional feature, learn about the concept of sevā (or sadaqa) and how it underpins some South Asian architects’ approaches to design.
‘Community architecture’ as an emerging role for design professionals
Suhailey Farzana, a community architect in Bangladesh, discusses her process of ‘co-creation’ with local communities and what architects can learn from Bangladesh’s recent protest movement.
'Only when you become comfortable with uncertainty can you innovate and evolve'
Director of DesignAware, Takbir Fatima, reflects on her creative and entrepreneurial journey.
Remembering Minnette de Silva: the architect in a sari
Sumita Singha OBE explores the contributions made by Sri Lankan architect, Minnette de Silva, to the built environment and gender equality.
Diaspora Digest: Areesha Khalid depicts the mood and atmosphere of her childhood home
Areesha Khalid channels memories via 'Diaspora Digest', an imagined magazine cover to create impact and cultural candour, earning her a commendation in RIBAJ's Eye Line drawing competition 2021.
RIBA Books reading list
These titles have been curated by the RIBA Books team and cover themes around South Asian architecture, history, and design culture.
Golconde: The Introduction of Modernism in India
Explore the history of Modernism in India, a living testament to the original modernist belief - architecture as the manifest union of technology, aesthetics, and social reform.
Eloquent Spaces: Meaning and Community in Early Indian Architecture
This book captures some of the diversity inherent in premodern Indian traditions of civic building and the history of building in early India.
Balkrishna Doshi: Writings on Architecture & Identity
This book presents a curated selection of Balkrishna Doshi’s exceptional writings since the 1950s.
Yasmeen Lari: Architecture for the Future
A rich exploration of the extraordinary life and work of celebrated architect Yasmeen Lari.
Thrive: A field guide for women in architecture
A practical guide for students and architects which explores the history of women in architecture and examines how the profession can better serve women in future.
Reclaiming Colonial Architecture
A guide to understanding and addressing colonial inheritances in the built environment.
Queer Spaces: An Atlas of LGBTQIA+ Places and Stories
This lavishly illustrated 'atlas' celebrates over 90 queer spaces across the world.
100 Women: Architects in Practice
A flagship reference for women's contribution to architecture, offering inspiration to readers through 100 profiles.
