We’re over the moon to announce that Architect Indy Johar has been made an MBE in King Charles’ first New Year Honours.
Indy Johar, who also co-founded multi-disciplinary design studio Dark Matter Labs was awarded his honour for services to architecture.
An advisor to the Mayor of London on good growth, he’s focused on building institutional infrastructure for towns and cities.
In an interview for Architects Journal, he explains:
‘Over the last 20 years, there is has been a reconfiguration of architecture, which has become more and more orientated towards client needs as opposed to the public good. Public good is more and more difficult to regulate. This is why, historically, professionals like doctors had the Hippocratic oath. I think there is space for a new professionalism.’
He added: ‘That’s a big journey; this is not a simple switching of the tap and it happens, but there is a necessity for [architects] to be advocates of the public good. Buildings last well after clients build them – they outlast the people that pay for them and use them initially.’
Johar is an architect who does not arrive with seductive designs or visionary drawings, but rather a set of proposals for reimagining our institutions and our tool kits for different kinds of economy and relationships.
Financial Times, November 2022
Furthermore, in 2022 Johar was honoured with the prestigious Innovation Medal at the London Design Festival. This accolade is not only a recognition of his exceptional talent but also a testament to his dedication and impact on the design world.
Now sit back, and watch these talks while your mind bends for a little.
UNDP Retreat - Innovation and Digitalisation 2022
Living Cities Forum 2022
Further reading, watching & listening
Indy Johar’s profile
Financial Times feature
Jericho Chamber podcast
Capital Monitor