2018 Pritzker Prize Winner: B.V. Doshi
Balkrishna Doshi worked for Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn before designing nearly 100 buildings in India
The Aranya low-cost housing community (1989) in Indore, India
His work draws deeply from nature, Eastern culture and memories of shrines, temples and busy Indian streets to create architecture full of sights, sounds and life. In its announcement of the Pritzker, which has been funded by the Hyatt Foundation since its inception in 1979, the 10-member jury said it recognises Doshi’s “exceptional architecture as reflected in over 100 buildings he has realised, his commitment and his dedication to his country and the communities he has served, his influence as a teacher, and the outstanding example he has set for professionals and students around the world throughout his long career.”
By the time Doshi was born in 1927 in Pune, India, his extensive Hindu family had already been in the furniture-building business for two generations. This early exposure to craft and proportion and, he told NPR, an ongoing remodel of his grandfather’s house to repeatedly add new levels for three uncles and their families inspired his career path. “I always sensed the space as alive,” Doshi told NPR. “Space and light and the kind of movement that gets into the space for me are very, very significant. That’s what generates a dialogue. That’s what generates activities. And that’s where you begin to become part of life. My architecture philosophy is: Architecture is a backdrop for life.”
His work draws deeply from nature, Eastern culture and memories of shrines, temples and busy Indian streets to create architecture full of sights, sounds and life. In its announcement of the Pritzker, which has been funded by the Hyatt Foundation since its inception in 1979, the 10-member jury said it recognises Doshi’s “exceptional architecture as reflected in over 100 buildings he has realised, his commitment and his dedication to his country and the communities he has served, his influence as a teacher, and the outstanding example he has set for professionals and students around the world throughout his long career.”
By the time Doshi was born in 1927 in Pune, India, his extensive Hindu family had already been in the furniture-building business for two generations. This early exposure to craft and proportion and, he told NPR, an ongoing remodel of his grandfather’s house to repeatedly add new levels for three uncles and their families inspired his career path. “I always sensed the space as alive,” Doshi told NPR. “Space and light and the kind of movement that gets into the space for me are very, very significant. That’s what generates a dialogue. That’s what generates activities. And that’s where you begin to become part of life. My architecture philosophy is: Architecture is a backdrop for life.”
A street in the Aranya community
In 1947, the same year India gained independence, a 20-year-old Doshi began his architecture studies at the Sir J.J. School of Architecture in Bombay (now Mumbai), one of the oldest and most prestigious architecture schools in the country. In the 1950s, he worked as a senior designer for the legendary modern architect Le Corbusier and supervised projects for him in India in places like Ahmedabad and Chandigarh.
In 1947, the same year India gained independence, a 20-year-old Doshi began his architecture studies at the Sir J.J. School of Architecture in Bombay (now Mumbai), one of the oldest and most prestigious architecture schools in the country. In the 1950s, he worked as a senior designer for the legendary modern architect Le Corbusier and supervised projects for him in India in places like Ahmedabad and Chandigarh.
Exterior view of Doshi’s Sangath Architect’s Studio (1980) in Ahmedabad, India
Later, Doshi and his practice, Vastushilpa, became known as pioneers of affordable housing and modern city planning in India. “Over the years,” the Pritzker jury said in its announcement, “Balkrishna Doshi has always created an architecture that is serious, never flashy or a follower of trends. With a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to contribute to his country and its people through high-quality, authentic architecture, he has created projects for public administrations and utilities, educational and cultural institutions, and residences for private clients, among others.”
Later, Doshi and his practice, Vastushilpa, became known as pioneers of affordable housing and modern city planning in India. “Over the years,” the Pritzker jury said in its announcement, “Balkrishna Doshi has always created an architecture that is serious, never flashy or a follower of trends. With a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to contribute to his country and its people through high-quality, authentic architecture, he has created projects for public administrations and utilities, educational and cultural institutions, and residences for private clients, among others.”
Grass steps and amphitheater at Sangath Architect’s Studio
Indeed, Doshi often spoke out against what he thought of as an architectural culture in which many participants strive only for financial gain. “One is all the time looking at financial returns – that is not only what life is,” Doshi told The New York Times. “I think wellness is missing.”
Indeed, Doshi often spoke out against what he thought of as an architectural culture in which many participants strive only for financial gain. “One is all the time looking at financial returns – that is not only what life is,” Doshi told The New York Times. “I think wellness is missing.”
The Amdavad Ni Gufa (1994) in Ahmedabad, India, houses an underground gallery of works by artist Maqbool Fida Husain.
Although perhaps not a household name, at least in the West, Doshi has a long history of respected accomplishments and associations. Los Angeles Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne pointed out that although the choice was a bit unexpected, it was nowhere near as surprising as last year’s selection of three Spanish architects whose firm was virtually unknown before the announcement.
Hawthorne also wrote that because of Doshi’s early collaborations with Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, he “shows up regularly in histories of modernist architecture and its relationship with India and other Asian countries.”
Although perhaps not a household name, at least in the West, Doshi has a long history of respected accomplishments and associations. Los Angeles Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne pointed out that although the choice was a bit unexpected, it was nowhere near as surprising as last year’s selection of three Spanish architects whose firm was virtually unknown before the announcement.
Hawthorne also wrote that because of Doshi’s early collaborations with Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, he “shows up regularly in histories of modernist architecture and its relationship with India and other Asian countries.”
A semiopen corridor at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (1977-1992, multiple phases) in Bangalore, India
Some of Doshi’s most famous projects include Sangath (his architecture studio in Ahmedabad, India), the Ahmedabad School of Architecture, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and low-cost housing communities like the Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperative in Kalol and Aranya Community Housing in Indore, which received the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1995.
“My works are an extension of my life, philosophy and dreams trying to create treasury of the architectural spirit,” Doshi said in an announcement of the prize. “I owe this prestigious prize to my guru, Le Corbusier. His teachings led me to question identity and compelled me to discover new regionally adopted contemporary expression for a sustainable holistic habitat. With all my humility and gratefulness I want to thank the Pritzker Jury for this deeply touching and rewarding recognition of my work. This reaffirms my belief that, ‘life celebrates when lifestyle and architecture fuse.’”
The award, which includes about ₹64,00,000 ($100,000), will be given to Doshi at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto in May.
Some of Doshi’s most famous projects include Sangath (his architecture studio in Ahmedabad, India), the Ahmedabad School of Architecture, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and low-cost housing communities like the Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperative in Kalol and Aranya Community Housing in Indore, which received the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1995.
“My works are an extension of my life, philosophy and dreams trying to create treasury of the architectural spirit,” Doshi said in an announcement of the prize. “I owe this prestigious prize to my guru, Le Corbusier. His teachings led me to question identity and compelled me to discover new regionally adopted contemporary expression for a sustainable holistic habitat. With all my humility and gratefulness I want to thank the Pritzker Jury for this deeply touching and rewarding recognition of my work. This reaffirms my belief that, ‘life celebrates when lifestyle and architecture fuse.’”
The award, which includes about ₹64,00,000 ($100,000), will be given to Doshi at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto in May.
The Institute of Indology (1962), in Ahmedabad, India, was designed to house ancient manuscripts, a research centre and a museum. “All the elements one finds in Indian buildings are present,” Doshi writes of the design, which includes traditional Indian features like two stories, a high plinth and a full-length veranda. “I had studied a Jain ‘upashraya,’ a home for monks, before I designed it. I had also met several Jain saints in the city to understand the traditional architecture for this building type.”
Premabhai Hall auditorium
Read more:
2017 Pritzker Architecture Prize Goes to Spanish Trio
Tell us:
Do you follow BV Doshi’s works? Tell us about some of your favourite projects done by him in the Comments below.
Read more:
2017 Pritzker Architecture Prize Goes to Spanish Trio
Tell us:
Do you follow BV Doshi’s works? Tell us about some of your favourite projects done by him in the Comments below.
An Indian architect lauded as a pioneer of low-cost housing has won the 2018 Pritzker Prize, the industry’s top honour. Balkrishna Doshi, pictured, 90, is the first Indian to receive the prize.