The search for a new Dean, Faculty of Architecture, was initiated in March 2026, and nominations were invited from CEPT Professors, as well as from a small pool of external professionals. A search committee was constituted comprising Dr. Tridip Suhrud (Chair), Brinda Somaya, Shimul Javeri, Chirayu Bhatt and Priya Singh. Based on the recommendation of the committee, Mr. Doongerwala was unanimously appointed as the next Dean of the Faculty of Architecture.
Quaid Doongerwala is an architect and educator with over 28 years of experience in architectural practice and design education. He established his Mumbai-based practice, DCOOP, in 2003 with Shilpa Ranade. The practice has developed a strong reputation for its context-driven design approach across projects including institutional campuses, housing, retail, and master planning.
Alongside his professional work, Quaid has been deeply engaged with architectural education for over 25 years as a teacher, mentor, and programme leader. He was the Founding Director of the Interior Design program at ISDI Parsons, Mumbai, where he helped establish the curriculum in collaboration with Parsons School of Design, New York. He has also been a visiting faculty member at institutions such as KRVIA and the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai, and contributed to academic discourse as a jury member, reviewer, and as the Charles Correa Chair at the Goa College of Architecture.
Quaid is a founding associate of PUKAR (Partners for Urban Knowledge, Action and Research), an interdisciplinary collective based in Mumbai engaged with urban research and practice. He brings with him a strong practice background, extensive academic engagement, and a deep commitment to strengthening the relationship between practice, research, and education. A CEPT alumnus, he has completed his undergraduate studies in architecture from CEPT University, followed by post-graduate studies in Indian Aesthetics from the University of Mumbai.
