Introduction: In every era, a nation’s identity is expressed not just through its culture, but through the landmarks it builds. From soaring statues to transcendent temples, from monumental museums to memorials of resilience, India’s newest icons are increasingly shaped in steel. This is not simply a story about a material. It is about ambition, engineering mastery, and a vision of permanence.
In this cover story, SSMB brings together India’s foremost architects, structural consultants, and steel suppliers to explore how steel is redefining the very idea of monumental architecture. Their voices reveal a fascinating interplay between tradition and modernity, symbolism and structure, design freedom and engineering discipline.
Steel has become the invisible spine of India’s cultural marvels. Here’s how.
In a nation where every stone tells a story, India’s architectural landscape is witnessing a transformative shift, one where steel emerges as the backbone of its most iconic spiritual, cultural, and symbolic structures. From soaring statues that pierce the skies to serene temples, grand museums, and timeless memorials, a new era of construction is unfolding, one where tradition meets technology.
Today, steel is no longer just a material; it is the silent force enabling these marvels of faith and national pride. Its ability to bend, stretch, and support complex forms has allowed designers and engineers to reimagine structures that once seemed unimaginable. Whether it is the engineering precision behind colossal statues, the intricate frameworks of monumental temples, or the sweeping rooflines of cultural centres, steel has become synonymous with durability, adaptability, and design freedom.
This story delves deep into how steel has become the material of choice for these ambitious projects, not just for its strength, but also for its speed of construction, sustainability, and resilience against natural forces like wind and earthquakes.
Through the perspectives of visionary architects, structural engineers, contractors, and developers, we explore how such structures are not only engineering feats but also symbols of collective identity and aspiration.
From engineering complexities and fabrication innovations to symbolic storytelling through architecture, this is the saga of how India is building its modern icons, with steel as its trusted foundation.
STEEL AS THE NEW PILLAR OF IDENTITY
India’s architectural identity is shifting. Across the country, monumental structures are emerging, temples rising like mountains of devotion, museums unfolding like pages of history, and memorials translating stories of courage into architectural form. These are not simply buildings; they are cultural anchors meant to endure centuries.
And behind their graceful silhouettes, sacred symbolism, and monumental scale lies a common structural truth: steel has become the backbone of India’s most ambitious public architecture.
Once associated mainly with industrial infrastructure, steel has now earned its place as the enabling force for India’s spiritual and cultural icons. Its adaptability, structural strength, and ability to merge tradition with innovation have made it indispensable for projects that demand both artistic grandeur and uncompromising performance.
GIVING FORM TO THE MONUMENTAL
Architects tasked with designing cultural and spiritual landmarks work in a unique space where symbolism drives form, and form must answer to engineering reality. In this domain, steel is unmatched.
“Steel offers unmatched flexibility in design,” says Architect Hiten Sethi, Principal, Hiten Sethi Associates. “Its high strength-to-weight ratio enables long spans and cantilevered forms that eliminate visual clutter, supporting vast congregational or ceremonial spaces. It allows expressive forms like domes, spires, statues to emerge with structural integrity intact. Digital fabrication tools let us execute intricate details and fluid forms with precision. And prefabrication reduces site disruption, which is invaluable at heritage or sacred locations.”
For Architect Ponni Concessao, Principal, Oscar & Ponni Architects, steel is a bridge between ancient inspiration and contemporary expression. “I use steel to craft uninterrupted spaces essential for spiritual contemplation and large gatherings. It allows me to translate traditional motifs like lotus petals into soaring structural forms, fusing ancient art with modern engineering. Steel’s lightness lets me work with large glazed surfaces, flooding interiors with natural light to create ethereal, contemplative atmospheres. And because it allows rapid construction, I can meet ambitious deadlines without compromising precision.”
Architect Renu Khanna, Principal, Renu Khanna & Associates recalls her design for a memorial to the 1857 First War of Independence, anchored in the symbolism of the lotus flower, historically used to spread the call for revolt. “The idea was to create a 200-foot-high lotus structure rising from a 2-acre water body. Steel gave me the freedom to make that vision a structural reality. It enabled both aesthetic fluidity and engineering precision, ensuring the monument could achieve its symbolic purpose at scale.”
These voices converge on a truth: steel transforms conceptual grandeur into buildable reality.
THE CHALLENGE OF THE MONUMENTAL
Designing monuments is not simply an architectural challenge; it is an emotional and cultural responsibility. Every form carries meaning, and every design choice must answer to the public’s perception as much as to structural feasibility.
Hiten Sethi points out that these projects often involve irregular geometries, symbolic motifs, and large-scale forms that resist standard engineering approaches. “Balancing visual symbolism with engineering feasibility is key. Loads, seismic safety, and weather resistance become especially complex for tall, curved, or free-form structures. Public scrutiny is intense, and there is no room for aesthetic compromise.”
Ponni Concessao adds that landmark cultural buildings must inspire for generations while remaining relatable. “The challenge is to make something grand also feel intimate. People must connect personally within vast spaces. Durability is critical as these structures must endure centuries.”
Architect Ratan J. Batliboi, Principal, Ratab J. Batliboi Consultants Pvt Ltd describes the need for massive interior volumes in museum projects, often with ceiling heights over seven metres. “Conventional methods fall short. Long-span steel beams integrated with concrete decking are essential for uninterrupted galleries. Speed and efficiency become non-negotiable, making off-site fabricated steel frames the obvious choice.”
Structural consultant Satish Raipure, Director, Vighnaharta Consulting Engineers goes further: “These structures don’t fall under conventional design parameters. Their geometry, symbolism, and technical constraints make the design process far more complex. They demand innovation, advanced tools, and a blend of artistic and engineering discipline.”
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The Steel Advantage for Landmark Architecture
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BALANCING HERITAGE & MODERN ENGINEERING
One of the defining qualities of India’s cultural architecture today is its ability to merge the language of heritage with the tools of modern construction. “Balancing tradition and modern engineering begins with understanding the cultural narrative,” says Hiten Sethi. “Sacred geometry, mythological motifs, regional forms can be reinterpreted in steel. Stone-clad steel shikhars preserve authenticity while offering seismic stability. Modern systems like lighting and ventilation can be embedded invisibly. Collaborating with artisans keeps the craftsmanship alive.”
Ponni Concessao approaches the balance as a creative dialogue between eras: “We reimagine ancient wisdom with steel as the echo of timeless forms. The warmth of wood plays against sleek steel; the solidity of stone embraces a modern frame. This fusion creates spaces that are sacred in feel and contemporary in execution.”
Ratan J. Batliboi stresses that steel’s role is often invisible. “In traditional or symbolic buildings, steel does the heavy lifting behind a skin of stone, wood, or plaster. The structure is modern, but the story is told in heritage materials.”
MATERIAL HARMONY
Steel rarely stands alone in these projects. It works in synergy with other materials. In temples, it supports the weight of stone without bulk. In museums, it carries expansive glass walls and skylights that connect visitors to the sky. In auditoriums or halls, it pairs with wood to enhance acoustics and warmth.
“Steel works seamlessly as a structural base for traditional materials,” says Hiten Sethi. “It provides permanence for stone, transparency for glass, and tactility for wood. Proper detailing ensures compatibility in different climates.”
Ponni Concessao values steel’s ability to “make stone appear weightless” or to hold glass in airy frames that dissolve boundaries between inside and outside. Renu Khanna cautions that when working with stone, careful structural calculations are needed to manage the extra weight, but steel provides the flexibility to do so effectively.
BACKBONE OF THE MONUMENTAL
For Shekhar Thete, General Manager, Jindal Steel Ltd, steel’s role in cultural and spiritual landmarks is anchored in its strength, adaptability, and speed. “Projects like the Statue of Unity or major pilgrimage centres have set new benchmarks. Steel supports complex geometries, long spans, and rapid execution. Its durability and compliance with safety norms make it ideal for these contexts.”
Ravi Kumar, Sr Area Manager – Business Development (South), Tubes SBU, Tata Steel Ltd shares examples of monumental contributions:
- Marjing Polo Statue, Manipur – among the tallest in the world, built entirely in Tata Structura hollow sections, standing at over 5,000 ft elevation.
- Kalighat Skywalk, Kolkata – improving pilgrim flow to one of India’s holiest temples while respecting heritage constraints.
- Billion Impressions Installation – a modern cultural symbol that bridges heritage and digital-era identity.
Both note that early collaboration with architects and engineers is essential to tailor steel grades, profiles, and fabrication methods to each project’s symbolic and structural needs.
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Why Steel is the Choice for Cultural Icons?
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PUSHING CREATIVE & SPATIAL BOUNDARIES
For all its structural discipline, steel is also the great liberator of architectural ambition. It allows architects and engineers to challenge the limitations of traditional building methods, delivering spaces, forms, and spans once thought impossible.
Hiten Sethi points to the National Cancer Institute in Nagpur as a prime example of steel’s transformative role. Here, column-free expanses of 24m x 24m grace the entrance lobby, creating openness impossible to achieve with RCC alone. A hybrid system steel frames, PEB techniques, and post-tension slabs, reduced beam sizes, optimised material use, and integrated massive 20 m cantilevers supported by lightweight steel girders. Designed for seismic resilience in Zone-3 conditions, the structure used 3,000 tonne of steel and reduced on-site labour requirements by 80 per cent, accelerating delivery without compromising safety or recyclability.
In his Science Park at Wonders Park project, twin parametric steel diagrid domes offer large column-free spaces for interactive exhibits. Wrapped in a standing seam aluminium-and-glass façade, they flood interiors with daylight while maximising energy efficiency. Designed in Rhino and Tekla, the project won an Autodesk award in the US for Best Building Design Project, a testament to steel’s structural and aesthetic range.
Hiten Sethi also recalls the record-setting hybrid dome at NMMC Head Office in 2012: a 33.56-m-diameter structure rising 14.37 m, executed in a pioneering steel–ferrocement hybrid. Its radial ribs, lightweight ferrocement shell, and custom GRC membrane cladding demonstrate steel’s ability to integrate seamlessly with other materials for both performance and visual drama.
For Ponni Concessao, steel is the silent partner enabling some of India’s most ambitious interiors and exteriors. The Kalaignar International Convention Centre and GMR IT Auditorium in Hyderabad achieve vast, uninterrupted spans through carefully engineered steel trusses. The proposed Dr. NTR Statue in Amaravati, matching the height of the Statue of Unity, is another testament to steel’s monumental potential. “Whether it is soaring canopies that seem to float or intricate, laser-cut reinterpretations of traditional patterns, steel allows us to weave symbolism and function into truly iconic architecture,” she notes.
Renu Khanna cites her 200-foot Lotus Monument in Ambala, where steel’s strength-to-weight ratio and adaptability supported complex curves and towering height. “Steel let me realise the organic purity of the lotus form without structural compromise,” she reflects.
Sanjay Sharma, Director, Vijaytech Consultants Pvt Ltd recalls feats like the 55 m cantilever for a 60 x 30 foot LED screen at Miraj Stadium, installed entirely without cranes. “Its strength and lightness made that possible,” he says. Similar principles apply to the steel cores of monumental statues like the Statue of Unity, or the wide-span halls at Akshardham Temple, all enabled by steel’s ability to create open, immersive spaces without intrusive columns.
These examples affirm that steel is not merely a support material — it is the canvas upon which India’s most daring architectural visions are drawn.
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Creative Boundaries Pushed with Steel
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ENGINEERING RESILIENCE FOR CENTURIES
The structural demands on monuments go beyond normal buildings. They must withstand wind, seismic events, and decades of environmental exposure. “Steel’s adaptability to extreme loads, seismic forces, and wind resistance makes it the backbone of resilient structures,” says Satish Raipure. “If maintained well, steel structures can last over a century. And they can be modified or expanded without demolition which is impossible with RCC.”
Modern tools like BIM, parametric modelling, AI-driven detailing have become indispensable, enabling complex geometries to be visualised, validated, and fabricated with precision. Off-site prefabrication further reduces site disruption, especially critical in heritage-sensitive environments.
FUTURE OF MONUMENTAL STEEL
The consensus is clear: steel will define India’s future landmarks.
Hiten Sethi calls it “the medium of expression for the next generation of monuments.”
Ponni Concessao sees it as “our creative partner in shaping India’s future skylines.”
Renu Khanna believes it will enable “bold design thinking, sustainability, and speed” for the next wave of cultural icons.
Sanjay Sharma foresees steel as “central to sustainable, space-efficient, and green building goals.”
THE SILENT CUSTODIAN OF HERITAGE
India’s monumental architecture stands at the confluence of tradition and technology. It must carry the weight of history, the aspirations of the present, and the resilience to endure the future.
Steel as adaptable, strong, and infinitely shapeable is the silent custodian that makes these ambitions tangible. It transforms sacred geometry into engineered form, cultural memory into permanent space, and monumental vision into buildable reality.
In every temple dome, museum hall, memorial spire, and cultural plaza, steel is the unseen thread binding symbolism, strength, and timelessness into a single architectural language.
Editor’s Note:
India’s new wave of monumental architecture of temples, memorials, museums, and cultural icons is rewriting the rules of design and engineering. At the heart of this transformation is steel.
For architects, it unlocks creative freedom: vast column-free halls, sweeping cantilevers, and intricate forms that honour tradition while embracing modernity. For engineers, it offers precision, speed, and resilience against seismic, wind, and environmental challenges. For manufacturers, it is a chance to innovate from corrosion-resistant and fire-rated grades to customised fabrication for complex geometries.
“Steel is not just a structural choice, but the bridge between heritage and modern engineering.”
HITEN SETHI, Principal, Hiten Sethi Associates
“Steel is not just a material; it is our creative partner in shaping India’s future icons.”
PONNI CONCESSAO, Principal, Oscar Ponni & Rahul Architects
“In landmark projects, steel is often the invisible enabler, carrying the structural load while the traditional skin tells the story.”
RATAN J. BATLIBOI, Principal, RJB Consultants
“Special structures challenge engineers to marry art, symbolism, and heritage with modern safety, stability, and sustainability.”
SATISH RAIPURE, Director, Vighnaharta Consulting Engineers
“Steel allowed me to translate the symbolism of the lotus into a 200-feet sculptural monument without compromising scale or geometry.”
RENU KHANNA, Principal, Renu Khanna Associates
“Projects that serve the nation or a culture are not just construction efforts; they are acts of service.”
RAVI KUMAR, BD – South, Tata Steel
“These are not just construction projects — they are legacies. Our steel becomes part of history.”
SHEKHAR THETE, GM, Jindal Steel
“From strength to adaptability, steel is the hidden enabler of heritage-inspired yet future-ready structures.”
SANJAY SHARMA, Director, Vijaytech Consultants
