CHENNAI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

What CHENNAI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN does

Chennai Academy of Architecture and Design (CAAD) is a private, standalone architecture school established in 2014 and located on a new city campus at Parivakkam, Poonamallee Bypass in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Operated as a unit of Srinivasa Educational Trust under the Jaya Group of Institutions, CAAD delivers a single core offering: a 5-year B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) professional degree programme affiliated to Anna University (Counselling Code 1152) and approved by the Council of Architecture (Reg. No. TN-CA-1152), with NAAC Grade A accreditation and UGC recognition. The institution also runs supplementary programmes including a NATA 2026 guidance/coaching module, international studios with partner universities (Tsinghua, SCI-Arc, SUTD, Sripatum, Lincoln University College, ALFA), structured internship and job placement services, and specialized lab facilities (lighting, surveying, climatology, model making, construction, plus digital fabrication and 3D printing labs).

CAAD's revenue model is tuition-driven: a one-time-per-programme B.Arch fee stream administered through Tamil Nadu state counselling (TNEA) with merit and management quota seats, supplemented by ancillary NATA coaching and potentially hostel/transport fees (not publicly disclosed). The go-to-market is a sales-led, hybrid-channel motion — captive distribution through Anna University TNEA counselling, direct website and phone enquiry capture, and a NATA coaching funnel targeting prospective architecture students. Target customers are individual students who have completed 10+2 with Mathematics and qualified NATA or JEE Paper 2, seeking professional architecture education in South India.

The institution positions itself around three differentiators: (1) regulatory credibility via COA/Anna University/NAAC Grade A, (2) international academic exposure through named collaborations with Tsinghua, SCI-Arc, SUTD, and Southeast Asian universities, and (3) placement outcomes — claiming a 100% placement rate with graduates at 300+ architectural and allied firms including Zaha Hadid Architects and Foster + Partners. Faculty are drawn from practicing architects, the Director (Prof. Vinodh Vijayakumar) holds international credentials (NUS Singapore), and the alumni network is cited at 500+ with 2,500+ graduates worldwide. CAAD markets 'AI-integrated digital learning' alongside BIM, 3D printing, and digital fabrication tools, though specifics on proprietary AI capability are not disclosed.

Name

CHENNAI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

Legal name

Chennai Academy of Architecture and Design

Website

https://caad.ac.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chennai Academy of Architecture and Design (CAAD) is a private, COA-approved architecture school in Chennai offering a 5-year B.Arch degree affiliated to Anna University. It serves prospective architecture students in South India, combining NAAC Grade A accredited academics with international studio programmes, digital fabrication labs, and a claimed 100% placement rate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Architecture Schools (within Arts & Design institutions) (EDAHAJAG)

Keywords

• Architecture education
• B.Arch degree program
• NATA coaching
• Design studio training
• Professional architecture degree

Headquarters

HQ city

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. B.Arch Tuition and Fees: Revenue is generated from tuition fees for the 5-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) professional degree program. The program is affiliated to Anna University and approved by Council of Architecture, with admissions through Anna University counselling (Code 1152).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CAAD delivers a 5-year professional Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree programme, approved by the Council of Architecture and affiliated to Anna University (Counselling Code 1152), requiring NATA or JEE Paper 2 qualification. The core offering is supplemented by NATA coaching, dedicated architectural laboratories, digital fabrication and 3D printing facilities, international studio exchange programmes, and structured internship and job placement services.

Product overview

CAAD offers a single unified educational program centered on the B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) 5-year professional degree. The institution provides supplementary offerings including NATA guidance coaching, specialized lab facilities (lighting, surveying, climatology, model making, construction workshops), a comprehensive library with digital resources, international studio programs with partner universities, and career placement services. These modules collectively support the core architecture degree program, providing students with academic preparation, practical skills, global exposure, and professional placement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) A 5-year professional Bachelor of Architecture degree programme covering architectural design, building technology, history of architecture, and professional practice. Approved by the Council of Architecture and affiliated to Anna University. Designed for students who have completed 10+2 or Diploma with Mathematics and qualified NATA or JEE Paper 2.
• NATA 2026 Guidance Program Comprehensive coaching programme for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), including study material covering all 7 sections, mock tests, and personalised mentoring. Targeted at prospective B.Arch applicants preparing to qualify for architecture admissions.
• International Studios & Exchange Programs Structured international studio and exchange programmes with partner universities including SCI-Arc, SUTD, Tsinghua University, Sripatum University, Lincoln University College Malaysia, and Alfa College of Architecture Kuala Lumpur, providing cross-cultural architectural education and global exposure for B.Arch students.
• Job Placement Services Career placement service connecting CAAD graduates with leading architecture and design firms across India and internationally, with a reported 100% placement track record across 300+ architectural and allied companies.
• Internship Placement Services Structured internship placement programme that connects B.Arch students with leading architecture firms and design studios across India for real-world professional experience during the course of study.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% placement rate for graduates in architecture and allied design fields
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019CAAD signed MoU with IUDS, Singapore and conducted International Studio in Singapore in collaboration with SUTD at the Singapore campus. Students explored innovative approaches to urban design, sustainability, and future city planning within Asia's most progressive urban environments.
• Tsinghua University, BeijingflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019CAAD collaborated with Tsinghua University, Beijing for International Studio bringing students and faculty from world's highest-ranked school of architecture to CAAD campus. This landmark collaboration marked Tsinghua University's first academic engagement in Indian subcontinent, placing CAAD among select institutions fostering global academic exchange.
• Sripatum University (SPU), BangkokcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academic partnership with Sripatum University, Bangkok culminated in CAAD International Studio at Bangkok. Programme enabled students to collaborate with international peers while experiencing Thailand's architectural heritage, urban development, and contemporary design practices.
• Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019CAAD ROOTS - SCI-Arc Talk Series brought together faculty from CAAD and SCI-Arc, Los Angeles for international academic dialogue on contemporary architectural education. Series facilitated exchange of pedagogical practices, design methodologies, and emerging approaches to architectural teaching.
• Lincoln University College, MalaysiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019CAAD signed MoU with Lincoln University College, Malaysia to promote international academic collaboration through student and faculty exchange programmes, short-term academic immersion, and collaborative initiatives. MoU signed during visit of Prof. Dr. Amiya Bhaumik, Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University College.
• Artes, ROOTS CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019CAAD students completed International Introductory Course on French Language for Architects under Artes, ROOTS collaborative. Programme mentored by Prof Aneela Balsavar, Masters holder from Rouen University, France. Course enabled students to be conversant with French language as operative language for architecture students.
• Alfa College of Architecture, Kuala LumpurcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014CAAD's first international collaboration began with MoU with Alfa College of Architecture, Kuala Lumpur, followed by International Studio in Malaysia. The initiative provided students with valuable exposure to Malaysian architecture, culture, and professional practice, laying the foundation for CAAD's continuing global engagement.
• IUDS, SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014MoU for academic exchange and global teaching pedagogies, offering students exposure to international design practices and methodologies.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Anant National University: Ahmedabad-based design university offering B.Arch with sustainability focus and design-thinking pedagogy. Comparable to CAAD as a private, design-centric architecture institution with ESG/sustainability orientation and international exposure.
• School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi: Premier autonomous Indian architecture school offering B.Arch and postgraduate programs. SPA Delhi is the strongest national architecture brand and the most relevant direct peer on quality, accreditation profile, and career outcomes.
• Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture, Mumbai: Private standalone architecture college in Mumbai offering B.Arch. Comparable to CAAD as a privately run, COA-approved standalone architecture college focused on design studio culture and industry placements.
• Manipal School of Architecture and Planning: Private architecture school under Manipal Academy offering B.Arch with national intake. Comparable to CAAD as a private, well-resourced architecture college competing for the same NATA-qualified student pool across India.
• Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology: Bengaluru-based design school with undergraduate design programs and strong industry partnerships. Comparable to CAAD as a private design-education institution targeting students seeking creative-professional careers in architecture and adjacent fields.
• Sushant University School of Art and Architecture: Private university in Gurgaon offering B.Arch with a design-led curriculum. Comparable to CAAD as a private architecture school competing in the same private college segment for NATA-qualified applicants.
• Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai: Historic standalone architecture college affiliated to the University of Mumbai, offering B.Arch with strong industry placement. Directly comparable to CAAD as a standalone COA-approved architecture college focused on professional practice preparation.
• CEPT University, Ahmedabad: University offering B.Arch and related built-environment programs with a strong design-research orientation. Comparable to CAAD as a focused, design-led architecture institution with international collaborations and postgraduate pathways.

Broad incumbents

• IIT Roorkee - Department of Architecture and Planning: Premier architecture program within IIT Roorkee offering B.Arch and postgraduate specializations. Comparable on accreditation quality, faculty depth, and postgraduate outcomes, but sits inside a larger technical university.
• IIT Kharagpur - Department of Architecture: Architecture department within a top-tier IIT offering B.Arch and M.Arch. Comparable as an architecture education provider competing for the same NATA/JEE-qualified cohort, though operating within a much broader engineering university.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CAADChannels
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/chennai-academy-of-architecture-and-design

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CHENNAI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN