Over the years, CWAB has evolved significantly—from an award rooted in industry perception to a rigorous, jury-driven recognition platform spanning multiple categories and embracing the entire ecosystem of the built environment. The industry’s regard for this journey was evident in the luminous presence of leading architects, builders, industry veterans, emerging talent and distinguished members of the jury.Even before the formal proceedings began, the evening came alive in the VIP room, where conversations flowed with with, humour and warm congratulations. Jury members and award winners mingled freely, exchanging experiences, learnings and stories of success. For the younger professionals and first-time awardees being recognised, it was a wonderful opportunity to become a part of the CWAB community that brings together some of the most respected names in the industry. The appreciation for the platform and the recognition it provides was unanimous. That sense of pride resonated through the speeches on stage, with awardees expressing how meaningful it was to be recognised in the company of such stalwarts.Winners travelled from across the country to be present and personally receive their honours—a gesture that reflected not only the prestige of the awards, but also the respect accorded to the CWAB platform and the sanctity of the recognition.Underscoring the growing importance of technology and AI in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the CWAB Awards also hosted the Construction Technology Awards, alongside a two-day exhibition showcasing construction technology providers and innovators. This brought young start-ups and technology pioneers into the larger industry ecosystem, giving them an opportunity to engage with industry leaders and gain recognition for their work. The awards celebrated achievements across various categories, highlighting the increasingly significant role of technology in shaping the future of the built environment.An industry—and an award—that has evolvedThe significance of CWAB lies not simply in the number of years it has been held, but in its ability to evolve with the industry.India’s built environment today is markedly different from that of two decades ago. The scale of infrastructure and real-estate development has increased, projects have become more complex and the expectations placed on architects, developers, contractors and technology providers have expanded. Sustainability, technology, efficiency and long-term performance are now increasingly inseparable from conversations around design and construction.As Pratap Padode, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, ASAPP Info Global Group, observed while setting the context for the combined CTS and CWAB platform, India is now building increasingly sophisticated facilities—from hyperscale data centres and semiconductor facilities to giga battery plants and Global Capability Centres—that demand far greater precision in power, cooling, clean-room environments, fire safety, structural systems and services coordination.“You cannot build the infrastructure of the future with yesterday’s processes,” he said, underlining the growing importance of technology and high-grade skills in the construction ecosystem. It is against this changing backdrop that CWAB decided to broaden its canvas of recognition.Beyond reputation, towards demonstrated achievementOne of the key shifts in CWAB 2026 was the way architects and builders were evaluated.Rather than relying only on broad perception or reputation, architects and builders were invited to nominate themselves within specific categories and showcase projects that best represented their work. This allowed the jury to assess demonstrated achievement within the relevant category and consider the work behind the name.India’s Most Impactful Projects categories covered a wide spectrum of India’s built environment. These entries were invited across residential buildings, independent homes, commercial, hospitality, institutional and miscellaneous sectors. A parallel set of awards for interior projects covered commercial, residential, institutional, hospitality and retail spaces.The response reflected the reach of the awards, with more than 500 nominations received from 29 cities.Materiality: The theme of CWAB 2026Every edition of CWAB has a theme, and for 2026, that theme was Materiality.The theme extended beyond the visual or physical qualities of buildings to consider how they are experienced, perform and endure. It also brought sustainability, context, innovation and environmental responsibility into sharper focus. Materiality was therefore an important lens in the evaluation of projects, architects and builders.A wider definition of excellenceCWAB 2026 broadened its recognition with three special categories: Sustainable Project of the Year, Construction Technology Innovation and the specially instituted Hafeez Contractor Award for Young Architects.When growth becomes another measure of achievementAnother development at CWAB 2026 was the introduction of a new, data-driven dimension to the Builder and Realty Awards.For the first time, the awards recognised growth among listed real-estate companies through two rankings.The first, India’s Fastest-Growing Real Estate Companies, evaluated listed companies on their financial growth over a three-year period, taking into account growth in revenue and profitability and using audited financial results. Companies were recognised across revenue-based categories. The second ranking, India’s Top Real Estate Companies, was based on the highest revenue earned during FY 2025–26. Yet, CWAB did not reduce performance to numbers alone.The financial data provided an objective starting point, while the Builders Jury retained the authority to review the rankings and exercise professional judgement where required.The credibility behind the recognitionFor Falguni Padode, Co-Founder and Group Managing Editor, ASAPP Info Global Group, the strength of an award ultimately rests on the rigour behind its selection.“The credibility of an award lies in the rigour behind it. CWAB has always been built on a robust evaluation process and the collective expertise of our eminent juries. This year, we have recognised excellence across generations, disciplines and scales of the built environment,” she said.Twenty-one editions on, CWAB continues to celebrate excellence while bringing generations of achievers together—honouring those who have shaped India’s built environment and welcoming those who will shape its future.Partners in celebrating excellenceThe 21st CONSTRUCTION WORLD Architect & Builder Awards 2026 were supported by industry partners who contributed to making the platform possible. HAACE came on board as the Bespoke Construction Specialist Partner, Turner International India as the Silver Partner, and IMPACCT as the Business Intelligence Partner.CWAB 2026: The WinnersMain Category | India’s Most Impactful ProjectsSubcategory: Residential BuildingsCIELO, NAGPURSubcategory: CommercialBERGER HOUSE, KOLKATASubcategory: InstitutionalGMR AVIATION SCHOOL, HYDERABADPRESTIGE UNIVERSITY, INDORESubcategory: HospitalityALOHA ON THE GANGES, HRISHIKESHSubcategory: MiscelleneousBAASHYAAM EXPERIENCE CENTRE, CHENNAIMain Category | India’s Most Impactful Projects – InteriorsSubcategory: ResidentialAMRUT, SURATTHE ATRIUM HOUSE, KOLKATASubcategory: CommercialMERCURY EV TECH, VADODARASubcategory: InstitutionalJGMM LIBRARYSubcategory: HospitalityTHE FORUM - HOTEL & CONVENTION, AHMEDABADSubcategory: RetailGULMOHAR LANE FLAGSHIP STORE, MUMBAIMain Category | Top Architect of the YearSubcategory: Residential High RiseAR. PRASHANT PARADAVA, FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, PDC ARCHITECTSSubcategory: Residential VillasAR. MANMEET ARORA, PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, THE ARCH BY MANMEET K ARORASubcategory: HospitalityAR. SHEKHAR PATKI, PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, PG PATKI ARCHITECTSSubcategory: InstitutionalAR. SANJAY PURI, PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTSSubcategory: Public & Civic ProjectsCP KUKREJA ASSOCIATESMK ARCHITECTSSubcategory: Commercial Office BuildingsACPL DesignMain Category | Architect Hafeez Contractor Young Architect of the YearNIKHIL GYAN BHANDARIVISHWAS VENKATSHASHANK SHAHABADIRAVIDEEP SINGHMain Category | Top Builder of the YearSubcategory: ResidentialGODREJ PROPERTIESSubcategory: Residential VillasPRESTIGE GROUPSubcategory: Commercial PRESTIGE GROUPSubcategory: HospitalityAMBUJA NEOTIAMain Category | Sustainable Project of the YearBHAWANIPUR HOUSE, KOLKATAMain Category | Construction Innovation Technology Innovation of the YearM-80 CONCRETE FOR MONOLITH CONSTRUCTIONMain Category | Fastest Growing Real Estate CompaniesSubcategory: LargeSOBHALODHA DEVELOPERSGODREJ PROPERTIESPRESTIGE ESTATESOBEROI REALTYBRIGADE ENTERPRISESDLFSubcategory: MediumRAYMOND REALTYSIGNATURE GLOBALMAHINDRA LIFESPACESKALPATARUSUNTECK REALTYASHIANA HOUSINGPURAVANKARAANANT RAJSHRIRAM PROPERTIESAJMERA REALTYKEYSTONE REALTORSSubcategory: PrimeARIHANT FOUNDATION AND HOUSINGSRI LOTUS DEVELOPERS & REALTYARVIND SMARTSPACESNILA INFRASTRUCTURESSHRADDHA PRIME PROJECTSMain Category | Top Listed Real Estate CompaniesSOBHALODHA DEVELOPERSGODREJ PROPERTIESPRESTIGE ESTATESOBEROI REALTYBRIGADE ENTERPRISESDLFRAYMOND REALTYSIGNATURE GLOBALMAHINDRA LIFESPACESKALPATARUSUNTECK REALTYASHIANA HOUSINGPURAVANKARAANANT RAJSHRIRAM PROPERTIESAJMERA REALTYKEYSTONE REALTORS From Blueprint to Build—And BeyondWhere construction technology, industry conversations and recognition came together. The Construction Technology Show (CTS) 2026 marked a defining moment in construction’s digital transformation journey. As the industry moves towards smarter, more connected and efficient ways of building, CTS brought together the ecosystem to examine what it takes for technology to deliver beyond innovation and create tangible project outcomes.Held at NESCO, Mumbai on August 19 and 20, the platform united technology companies, developers, contractors, architects, consultants and investors around the opportunities and challenges shaping construction technology adoption.The show combined an exhibition with a conference exploring technologies across AI, BIM, digital twins, robotics, analytics, visualisation and project management. The exhibition provided a view of the growing ConTech ecosystem, while the conference examined how these technologies can translate into better project outcomes.Two days of industry conversationsThe panel discussions across the two days moved from the macro infrastructure opportunity to the realities of project execution and technology adoption.Day One examined whether technology could deliver at scale for India’s $1.4 trillion infrastructure pipeline, why construction technology can fail at the site-team level, and the lessons emerging from mega infrastructure projects across metros, highways and airports. Discussions also explored AI’s movement from experimentation to execution and the need for greater alignment between developers, contractors and technology partners. Day Two shifted towards execution at scale, looking at modular construction, sustainability, construction innovation and the role of investors in enabling technology adoption. The ConTech Innovators Showcase and ConTech Venture Arena further connected emerging technology companies with developers, contractors and investors. The breadth of the discussions reflected a fundamental shift in the industry’s technology conversation—from what is possible to what works.Technology must begin with the problemOpening the event, Pratap Padode, Founder and Managing Director, ASAPP Info Global Group, emphasised that technology adoption must begin by identifying a problem rather than developing technology and then searching for an application.The message emerging from industry roundtables was clear: construction does not need technology for technology’s sake. It needs solutions that address challenges on the ground.With rising labour, material and logistics costs putting pressure on project delivery, technologies such as BIM, GIS, digital twins, AI and digital inventory systems are increasingly being explored for their potential to reduce rework, wastage and delays while improving coordination and productivity.A first for ConTechA major highlight of CTS 2026 was the first-ever ConTech Awards, introduced to recognise startups and innovators contributing to the transformation of the construction technology ecosystem.Awards were presented across categories including ConTech Startup of the Year, Best AI Solution for Construction, Best Project Management/SaaS Platform, Best Geospatial/Drone Technology, Best BIM/Digital Twin Solution and Industry Adoption Award. The inaugural awards were evaluated through two jury sessions featuring intense and insightful discussions, where a 15-member jury comprising leaders from construction, technology, academia, project management and the startup ecosystem assessed the diverse nominations. The deliberations focused on innovation, impact and real-world applicability.Connecting innovation with recognitionThe ConTech Awards also brought together a broad network of partners from across the construction and technology ecosystem.Zenalyst was the AI Innovation Partner; HAACE the Bespoke Construction Specialist Partner; RIB the Technology Partner; HDFC Capital the Knowledge Partner; Highbar Technocrat the Associate Partner; Larsen & Toubro the Lanyard Partner; TiE Mumbai the Ecosystem Partner; IMPACCT the Business Intelligence Partner; and Bright Outdoor Media the Outdoor Media Partner.The platform was supported by association partners including NAREDCO, C-Tribe, Brigade REAP, TiE Mumbai, Indian Institute of Materials Management, National Highways Builders Federation, Builders’ Association of India, International Road Federation, Mumbai FIRST, Construction Federation of India and All India Council of Robotics and Automation.From technology to the built environmentThe CTS conversation culminated in the 21st CONSTRUCTION WORLD Architect & Builder Awards (CWAB) 2026, creating a natural progression from technology to achievement.While CTS focused on how India can build better through technology, innovation and more effective project delivery, CWAB recognised who and what are shaping the built environment across architecture, impactful projects, sustainability, construction technology and real estate. The two-day platform therefore brought together two sides of the same transformation: the technologies changing construction and the people, projects and organisations translating innovation into the built environment.Held on August 19 and 20 at NESCO, Mumbai, CTS 2026 ultimately made one thing clear: the next phase of construction technology will not be defined simply by innovation, but by its ability to deliver measurable value on the ground.ConTech Award Winners 2026ConTech Startup of the Year» RANK ONERDash (tied)Inkers Technology (tied)Best AI Solution for Construction1. SitePace.AI2. Bandhoo Solutions and ServicesBest BIM / Digital Twin Solution» RANK ONE5D VDC Services LLP (tied)Bandhoo Solutions and Services (tied)Best Geospatial / Drone Technology1. Bandhoo Solutions and ServicesBest Project Management / SaaS Platform1. RDash2. Aasaan TechIndustry Adoption Award1. Aasaan Tech2. Zenalyst