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Ar.S.Gopakumar, Kumar Group Total Designers Ar.S.Gopakumar became the 1st Architect from Kerala to be awarded the Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal for the year 2020 by the Indian Institue of Architects. Ar.Gopakumar is the Founder and Architect of Kochi based Kumar Group Total Designers and was felicitated for his outstanding contribution to the profession and Indian Architecture. This is the most coveted award given to an Architect in India by IIA. Established in 1917, IIA has more than 20,000 architects as members and plays a major role in promoting the profession of architecture in India. Speaking on the occasion, Ar.Gopakumar said, ‘It is a privilege to receive this hour from IIA and to be included in the list of some of the elite names in architecture. This only motivates me to further work towards putting India on the global map of modern architecture and redesign our future.’ The award was given to Architect S. Gopakumar by IIA’s National President Ar. Divya Kush at the recently concluded National Convention of IIA – Transcend. This year, because of the Covid19 pandemic, the event was held in the virtual world. Some of the previous winners of the award include eminent Architects like Padma Shri Ar.Achyut Kanvinde, Padma Vibushan Ar.Charles Correa, Padma Shri Ar.BV Doshi and Padma Shri Ar.Laurie Baker. Ar. S. Gopakumar, in 1976, started Kumar Group Total Designers – one of the leading Architectural firms in India dealing with Architecture, Interiors and Landscape Design. Some of the landmark projects include the HDFC Building Kochi, Kerala History Museum Kochi, KSRTC Bus Station Trivandrum, Taj Residency Calicut, and housing projects for many prominent Developers. He has also done many socially relevant projects for the Government. Ar. S. Gopakumar has been actively involved in the activities of the Indian Institute of Architects since 1996. During his long association with IIA, he has served the Institute as Chairman of Cochin Centre and later as Chairman Kerala Chapter. His initiatives in socially relevant projects like temporary accommodation for Gujarat earthquake victims are noteworthy. Ar.Gopakumar is passionate about improving the life of fellow citizens in Kochi. In the 2009, he started a not-for-profit organisation called the Better Kochi Response Group – BKRG, comprising eminent citizens and professionals from diverse fields to advise and provide expertise to the Government for making Kochi a better city for its citizens. BKRG is responsible for some of the very prestigious projects being executed in Kochi like Vyttila Mobility Hub, world class public toilets in different locations, promotion of home vegetable gardens, among many others. An avid painter, Ar. S. Gopakumar is also the winner of the prestigious Lalithkala Academy Award. He is now ably succeeded by his son Ar. Anuj Gopakumar who is a Partner and Chief Architect of Kumar Group Total Designers.