Architects celebrated for Olympic export success
Global architecture firm Populous, known for iconic Brisbane sports projects, has been recognised in India by the Queensland Premier for its strong and ongoing contribution to the State’s export success.
Populous, which has its key regional headquarters for Asia and the Pacific in Brisbane and is well known for designing stadia like Suncorp, Brisbane Lions Brighton Homes Arena, Cbus Super and Queensland Tennis Centre, has been operating in India for more than a decade. Populous has 22 staff in its New Delhi office working directly with its APAC Head Studio in Brisbane, including working with the Indian government on its bid for the 2036 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
A Certificate of Recognition for outstanding contribution to Queensland’s export success was presented to Populous Director Chris Paterson by the Honourable David Crisafulli, Premier of Queensland at a ceremony hosted by Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) at Taj Palace, New Delhi on 1 September 2025. “India’s love of sport and Populous’ expertise in designing the world’s best stadia and arenas mean we are a natural fit,” Mr Paterson said.
“This recognition represents more than 25 years of working across the Asia Pacific region by our team of designers, and specifically more than 10 years of collaboration between our highly skilled architects in Brisbane and India. Thank you to our people and our clients.”
Populous’ flagship Indian design project to date is the world’s largest cricket stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium, which has a 110,000-seat capacity. Populous is currently designing India’s largest indoor arena with a capacity of 20,000 and has worked on many other cricket projects, master plans, convention and exhibition centres, and elite sports training facilities in India in recent years.
Populous Global Director and Co-Founder Paul Henry said the ties between sports infrastructure in Brisbane and India were the closest they have ever been as Ahmedabad positions itself as the leading Indian contender to host the 2036 Olympics. “Our India and Brisbane offices are supporting Ahmedabad in its Olympic journey, a significant development given Brisbane's own preparation to host the 2032 Olympics,” Mr Henry said.
“Populous is proud to have partnered with the Government of Gujarat to develop the masterplan and concept design for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Ahmedabad. This enclave is being considered as one of the potential event hubs for India’s bid for the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.” Populous’ team in India is led by Principals, Isha Rathee and Siddharth Soni, who are currently bringing the firm’s experience from working on 15 Olympic and Paralympic Games to India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
“We’re very happy to have been assisting the Indian Government for four years on its major events infrastructure, including the SVP Sports Enclave and most recently the masterplan and concept for the Gujarat Police Academy at Karai, which includes the design of the 50,000 capacity new Athletics Stadium,” Mr Soni said.
“Populous is in a unique position having designed both the Narendra Modi stadium and now the main Athletics Stadium – the two main stadiums showcasing India’s 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2030 Commonwealth Games’ aspirations. In 2019, Populous was awarded the highest honour in the Australian Government’s annual Export Awards, winning Exporter of the Year as well as the national Professional Services category. (stadiaworld, 05.09.2025)
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