By Rajat Kumar, Founder & Principal Architect, Recro Kaerdo
India is witnessing a paradigm shift in how smaller, tier 2 and 3 cities are perceived, the opportunities they offer, and the ideas that are shaping the country’s future. The major metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore are facing extreme lack of space due to rapidly increasing population, exponentially rising cost of real estate, all leading to huge commercially motivated demands on architecture.
Due to a lack of space, hence a lack of opportunity and creativity, architects are moving and setting up their practices in tier 2 cities in India. Cities like Raipur, Bhopal, Surat, Coimbatore, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun and others are emerging as new centres of architecture and innovation, giving architects a scope to experiment and a budget to work with. In these cities, there is an increasing appetite for more places, fewer obstacles, and thoughtful design, providing architects a unique opportunity to create India.
Reconsider Mega-City Passion
Over the years, India’s largest cities have been considered the most desired destination for ambitious architects. Faith was simple: big cities meant better customers, a high budget, and more visibility. But reality is shifting considerably. Land is expensive, Regulations are extreme, ROI supersedes decisions on design quality, time is always pressing. In such an environment, creativity can get buried under the commercial demands of the projects. Architects are often forced into formula design, leaving very few opportunities for innovation and explorations.
This is where Tier 2 cities change the game.
A New Kind of Freedom
Compared to metros, Tier 2 cities offer a different pace and a different perspective. The land is more affordable, clients are more open to ideas, and the urban context is still taking shape. This gives architects a chance to think freely, take creative risks, and experiment with designs that reflect the local environment and way of life, while still keeping the ROI intact and promising for the customers. Instead of copying glass towers or global templates, architects here are building with the city, not just in it. The designs are more grounded, more relevant, and often more sustainable.
In a group housing project designed in a small town in Haryana, we had the freedom to place two towers around a central lift lobby, each tower shaped differently, with curved walls and open views. These design decisions, which would likely be rejected in metro projects due to cost or space restrictions, were welcomed here. The result? A living space thatโs functional, fresh, and truly innovative.
The Rise of Informed Clients
Another reason for this shift is the evolving profile of clients in Tier 2 cities. Many are well-travelled professionals or second-generation entrepreneurs who have studied or worked abroad. Others are part of traditional business families who now have wider exposure to design trends, thanks to social media and global travel. These clients want global standards but rooted designs. They are not looking for flashy replicas of city projects; they want something that respects their culture and environment while still being modern and aspirational.
In cities like Coimbatore, Indore, and Vijayawada, youโll now find thoughtfully designed schools, boutique hotels, cafes, and co-working spaces. These arenโt just โscaled-downโ metro ideas; they are unique, experience-driven spaces tailored to local needs. Architects here arenโt just executing projects; theyโre collaborating with clients to co-create visions.
Space to Explore New Ideas
One of the biggest advantages in these cities is the availability of land and the flexibility of local regulations. Larger plots and simpler zoning laws make it easier to test new ideas, like climate-sensitive homes with courtyards, campus-style office layouts, or buildings inspired by traditional water systems like stepwells. This space, both physical and creative, is hard to come by in bigger cities. In Tier 2 cities, it becomes the breeding ground for fresh design thinking. And the projects arenโt just one-off experiments. Many of them are scalable models, blueprints for how Indian cities can grow without losing their identity or quality of life.
A Two-Way Learning Curve
Of course, working in Tier 2 cities also comes with its challenges. Architects must approach with sensitivity and humility. These places arenโt just blank canvases; they come with their own social, cultural, and climatic layers. The design process involves listening, observing, and learning from local communities. And thatโs where the beauty lies. When architects bring their ideas and combine them with local wisdom about materials, construction methods, and lifestyle patterns, the result is something that feels authentic and lasting. The architecture that emerges is not just beautiful; it connects emotionally. It belongs.
Conclusion: Designing the India That Is Coming
The urbanization of India will not create future cities in metros alone. Tier-2 cities are not simply the next frontier; they are the real frontier. They are the real places where architectural and social change come into being meaningfully in terms of infrastructure, identity, and innovation. For architects willing to leave the metro mindset behind, these cities offer something rare: the chance to not only build structures but also shape narratives. In Bhubaneswar, Surat, Coimbatore, Raipur, Bhopal, Dehradun and beyond, the buildings rising today are not just serving clients; they are telling stories about the architecture in India thatโs coming next. And these stories are just beginning.
About the Author
Rajat Kumar is a seasoned architect and educator with over 25 years of experience. A graduate of the Sushant School of Art and Architecture, he blends traditional wisdom with modern tools to create context-driven designs. He is also an IGBC Accredited Professional and a visiting faculty at leading architecture schools.
