Since KRVIA's inception in 1992, a group of educationists, professionals and artists became involved in envisioning the direction of the school. The institute had set itself a goal of reevaluating existing modes architectural education and practice and formulating a course that will be able to effectively engage critically with the forces that are currently shaping the landscape of Indian cities and the hinterland. Through this engagement emerged the unique vision of the school. Rather than passively assuming these forces to be beneficial and assuming the role of the academy to being merely a facilitator and enabler of these forces- the institute attempted to create a space for critical thinking and practice within the Indian context.

As a result the Institute has been actively involved with research regarding architecture and urbanism within the Indian context through its Academic Programme and its various allied activities. These include an active Research and Design Cell, a well equipped Library, a Fellowship Programme, a Publication Cell, Exchange Programmes with university in India and abroad, many Seminars and Workshops by eminent academicians, artists, architects and filmmakers. Over time, KRVIA has become an important center for knowledge in Architecture and Urbanism within Mumbai.