R.G. Anand' had a long and distinguished career as an architect . After establishing himself in Lahore with partner U.M. Aptay.he was forced to return to Delhi in 1947 and set up his practice in the newly formed capital while Aptay moved to Poona.
In 1951, CSH Jhabvala joined him as a partner and the firm came to be called Anand, Aptay & Jhabvala (AAJ)
Anand Aptay and Jhabvala belonged to the generation of architecture firms which rebuilt the expanding territory of Delhi to suit a newly independent nation and to house the lakhs of refugees who poured into the city after the partition in 1947. Their challenge demanded building of communities and creating functional spaces, with clean lines and explicit details. Their buildings were true to purpose and need, sensitive to cost and context, conscious of climate and local traditions.
AAJ was among the first post-independence Indian architectural firms in Delhi. Their works during the first decade after independence laid the foundation of colonies and living spaces for the New-Delhiites. During this period alone, the firm undertook 142 projects, of which 92 were for new residences spread out all over the 'new' growing city.
Until the passing of Shri R G Anand in 1982, AAJ designed over 400 structures spanning the gamut of residential, institutional, commercial, industrial and exhibition structures. Its contribution to the layout of residential colonies and commercial spaces, with an eye on environment and open spaces, is the hallmark that can still be felt in New Delhi.
