Ambuja Neotia Hosts Launch of Late Christopher Benninger’s Book ‘Great Expectations – Notes to an Architect’
Kolkata: Ambuja Neotia, in collaboration with the Charles Correa Foundation, hosted the 8th edition of the Charles Correa Memorial Lecture at the Royal Bengal Room, City Centre Salt Lake. The evening paid tribute to the legendary Indian architect Charles Correa, drawing architects, designers, and thought leaders to reflect on his lasting influence on modern architecture.
The highlight of the event was a compelling keynote address by internationally acclaimed Australian architect Peter Stutchbury, who is celebrated for his poetic, contextual, and environmentally sensitive designs.
“It’s an immense honour to deliver the 8th Charles Correa Memorial Lecture in the very city where a part of his extraordinary vision came to life,” said Stutchbury. “Charles Correa was not merely an architect; he was a philosopher of space… His commitment to designing with deep respect for the environment, local culture, and human condition mirrors the foundations of my own practice.”
Stutchbury extended his heartfelt gratitude to Harshavardhan Neotia and the Ambuja Neotia Group for sustaining the architectural discourse through this memorial lecture series.
The event also witnessed the formal launch of Late Christopher Benninger’s final book, Great Expectations – Notes to an Architect, a follow-up to his celebrated Letters to a Young Architect. The launch was carried out by Ramprasad Akkisetti (MD, CCBA Designs), Harshavardhan Neotia, and Peter Stutchbury.
“In this latest work, Chris delves deeper into the philosophical and practical challenges of our profession,” noted Akkisetti. “It’s a reflective journey for all who seek to understand the joy and responsibility of shaping our built environment.”
Speaking on the occasion, Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia, remarked,
“Charles Correa was a visionary who profoundly shaped modern Indian architecture with his human-centric and eco-sensitive designs. This lecture series is our way of continuing the conversation around design that enriches communities.”
The evening was anchored by architect and author Ashish Acharjee, who curated the event with narrative depth and thoughtful reflection. He noted that Stutchbury’s work beautifully resonates with Correa’s ethos—spaces that are not just built, but deeply felt.
