B.V. Doshi: 6 Lesser-Known Facts About the 2018 Pritzker Prize Winner
Find out about less known, important incidents and events that shaped Doshi's life
Professor Balkrishna Doshi has created history with his 2018 Pritzker Prize win – the first-ever Indian to receive this recognition. This revered architect, urban planner and educator has been known in India and internationally for his long association with the discipline, creating educational institutions, low-cost housing, theatres, galleries and public spaces, all using indigenous materials and exploring form while respecting the elements. He creates a language that strikes a chord within, be it a layman or one educated in the intellectual appreciation of architecture.
While the master-architect is a well-known international figure, and now a trending topic on social media, publications and even conversations, we decided to dig deeper and find some some lesser-known facts about him: anecdotes from his past, the kind of work he’s done and vignettes from his career and life.
Photos courtesy: VSF
While the master-architect is a well-known international figure, and now a trending topic on social media, publications and even conversations, we decided to dig deeper and find some some lesser-known facts about him: anecdotes from his past, the kind of work he’s done and vignettes from his career and life.
Photos courtesy: VSF
You might be familiar with B.V. Doshi’s work – the Aranya low-cost housing in Indore, the Centre for Environment and Planning Technology (CEPT) in Ahmedabad, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Bangalore, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in New Delhi, Vidyadhar Nagar in Jaipur and so on. But did you know these six facts about him?
Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology
1. He learned the art and nuances of design at a very young age
As a child, B.V. Doshi used to visit his grandfather’s furniture shop in Pune. He would watch the process by which wooden logs became chairs, tables and other household furniture items, fascinated by the steps that went towards building a thing. According to his biography on the Pritzker Prize website, although he was a student of painting and science, he showed aptitude for architecture and it was his school teacher who encouraged him to enrol in the Sir JJ School of Architecture, Mumbai, and formally learn the discipline.
1. He learned the art and nuances of design at a very young age
As a child, B.V. Doshi used to visit his grandfather’s furniture shop in Pune. He would watch the process by which wooden logs became chairs, tables and other household furniture items, fascinated by the steps that went towards building a thing. According to his biography on the Pritzker Prize website, although he was a student of painting and science, he showed aptitude for architecture and it was his school teacher who encouraged him to enrol in the Sir JJ School of Architecture, Mumbai, and formally learn the discipline.
Chandigarh project. Photo by Wikicommons user duncid
2. He worked with Le Corbusier for free
We all know that the Chandigarh project – the city’s master plan – was prepared by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. According to Archdaily, while the city was being constructed, young B.V. Doshi, too, wanted to be a part of it. He wrote to Le Corbusier’s office, with a request to work with him, and great man accepted his request but on one condition – he wouldn’t be paid for it. The young enthusiast accepted.
2. He worked with Le Corbusier for free
We all know that the Chandigarh project – the city’s master plan – was prepared by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. According to Archdaily, while the city was being constructed, young B.V. Doshi, too, wanted to be a part of it. He wrote to Le Corbusier’s office, with a request to work with him, and great man accepted his request but on one condition – he wouldn’t be paid for it. The young enthusiast accepted.
Sangath office
3. His office doesn’t look like one
While at the peak of his career, Doshi was consumed by the idea of creating something completely different that broke all the rules – and that structure ended up being his own architecture studio. As per Dezeen, the Sangath office in Ahmedabad was one of the most talked-about office buildings of that time because it looked nothing like an office space. Built in 1981, it resembles an old village-style home, enhanced with terraces, a grassy amphitheatre and water features. The structure also features barrel-vaulted roofs covered with porcelain mosaic tiles. This type of design allows light to filter inside; an assortment of skylights and windows too keep the interior well-lit. The office has clay insulation that cuts down the need for air conditioning. The form of the complex mimics and accentuates that of nature.
3. His office doesn’t look like one
While at the peak of his career, Doshi was consumed by the idea of creating something completely different that broke all the rules – and that structure ended up being his own architecture studio. As per Dezeen, the Sangath office in Ahmedabad was one of the most talked-about office buildings of that time because it looked nothing like an office space. Built in 1981, it resembles an old village-style home, enhanced with terraces, a grassy amphitheatre and water features. The structure also features barrel-vaulted roofs covered with porcelain mosaic tiles. This type of design allows light to filter inside; an assortment of skylights and windows too keep the interior well-lit. The office has clay insulation that cuts down the need for air conditioning. The form of the complex mimics and accentuates that of nature.
Kamala House
4. All his works are concentrated in his homeland
According to the The Economic Times, while most of the Pritzker Prize winners’ works are dotted across countries and continents, B.V. Doshi is known for building almost completely in India, with his projects ranging from low-cost housing to government offices to private companies to educational institutions.
4. All his works are concentrated in his homeland
According to the The Economic Times, while most of the Pritzker Prize winners’ works are dotted across countries and continents, B.V. Doshi is known for building almost completely in India, with his projects ranging from low-cost housing to government offices to private companies to educational institutions.
Life Insurance Corporation Housing
5. He developed a bill for housing presented to the UN
Doshi, along with renowned architects Moshe Safdie, Nader Ardalan, George Candilis and Josep Lluis Sert, produced the Habitat Bill of Rights that was submitted by the the government of Iran at the UN Conference on Human Settlements in Vancouver in 1976. This bill defined the issues and challenges with regard to the qualitative design of houses. The bill also provided answers and recommendations to provide fresh and relevant direction to building public homes.
6. He has done a cameo in a Tamil film
Did you know that the veteran architect has a cameo in Mani Ratnam’s 2015 movie O Kadhal Kanmani? In the movie, he plays the mentor of the lead actress Nithya Menon, who essays the role of an architecture student. The scenes with him were shot in Indian Institute of Management and CEPT University, Ahmedabad. He designed IIM-A with Louis Kahn and founded and designed CEPT himself.
Read more:
2018 Pritzker Prize Winner: B.V. Doshi
Tell us:
Do you follow B.V. Doshi’s works? Tell us about some of your favourite projects done by him in Comments below.
5. He developed a bill for housing presented to the UN
Doshi, along with renowned architects Moshe Safdie, Nader Ardalan, George Candilis and Josep Lluis Sert, produced the Habitat Bill of Rights that was submitted by the the government of Iran at the UN Conference on Human Settlements in Vancouver in 1976. This bill defined the issues and challenges with regard to the qualitative design of houses. The bill also provided answers and recommendations to provide fresh and relevant direction to building public homes.
6. He has done a cameo in a Tamil film
Did you know that the veteran architect has a cameo in Mani Ratnam’s 2015 movie O Kadhal Kanmani? In the movie, he plays the mentor of the lead actress Nithya Menon, who essays the role of an architecture student. The scenes with him were shot in Indian Institute of Management and CEPT University, Ahmedabad. He designed IIM-A with Louis Kahn and founded and designed CEPT himself.
Read more:
2018 Pritzker Prize Winner: B.V. Doshi
Tell us:
Do you follow B.V. Doshi’s works? Tell us about some of your favourite projects done by him in Comments below.