Retrospective: The Unprecedented Architectural Contribution of IM Kadri
This article looks back at the remarkable works of one of India's foremost architects that defined its cities' modern skylines
Shiv Sagar Estate, Mumbai. Built in 1967
The Shiv Sagar Estate at Worli, located on a 15-acre site, originally the home of the Maharaja of Scindia, is a sea-side commercial hub that houses five identical hexagonal towers in its complex, providing spectacular views of the city.
The Shiv Sagar Estate at Worli, located on a 15-acre site, originally the home of the Maharaja of Scindia, is a sea-side commercial hub that houses five identical hexagonal towers in its complex, providing spectacular views of the city.
The plot of land was initially developed with the intent of developing the Hilton Hotel in Mumbai. However, it was later decided to convert the space into commercial premises, while five sea-facing acres were set aside for apartment buildings.
The facades of the office buildings have windows concealed by vertical fins to soften the inward glare. The fins not only give uniformity to the facade but also add an edge to the city’s skyline.
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The facades of the office buildings have windows concealed by vertical fins to soften the inward glare. The fins not only give uniformity to the facade but also add an edge to the city’s skyline.
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Happy Home and School for the Blind, Mumbai. Built in 1971
“When designing the Happy Home for the Blind, I groped and searched in the dark, with the blind children’s ease of movement and physical safety predominant in my mind. It was a labour of love I relished doing.” –IM Kadri
Whilst accomplishing the primary challenge to build a safe place for the children, the school exemplifies a gorgeous play of light and shadow through its intricate jali facade. The spaces, clean concrete finishes and Islamic arches create an intricate confluence between Indian and modern architecture.
“When designing the Happy Home for the Blind, I groped and searched in the dark, with the blind children’s ease of movement and physical safety predominant in my mind. It was a labour of love I relished doing.” –IM Kadri
Whilst accomplishing the primary challenge to build a safe place for the children, the school exemplifies a gorgeous play of light and shadow through its intricate jali facade. The spaces, clean concrete finishes and Islamic arches create an intricate confluence between Indian and modern architecture.
Ceat Mahal, Mumbai. Built in 1974
The CEAT Mahal has a sculptural delicacy, fashioned through its architectural form and proportions. It echoes the havelis of a bygone era while fulfilling the contemporary utility of the building. Built as the Indian headquarters of an international company, the building bridges the gap between traditional spatial grandeur and modern functionality.
The building has a parking area in the basement and ground floors, with seven storeys for offices. The lower floors were meant for the sales teams whilst the top floors with their sweeping city views were built for the upper management. Each floor in the building was given its own terrace garden to create a sense of balance and wellness in the workplace. The landscaping was such that every floor has lush views of its garden, creating the illusion of being on the ground level.
Kadri has added lyricism by using twenty-foot columns on pedestals to support the building, which enhance the scale, creating a sense of majesty. The exterior cladding has been done with Rajasthani stone that weathers well in Mumbai’s heavy rains and hot summers.
The CEAT Mahal has a sculptural delicacy, fashioned through its architectural form and proportions. It echoes the havelis of a bygone era while fulfilling the contemporary utility of the building. Built as the Indian headquarters of an international company, the building bridges the gap between traditional spatial grandeur and modern functionality.
The building has a parking area in the basement and ground floors, with seven storeys for offices. The lower floors were meant for the sales teams whilst the top floors with their sweeping city views were built for the upper management. Each floor in the building was given its own terrace garden to create a sense of balance and wellness in the workplace. The landscaping was such that every floor has lush views of its garden, creating the illusion of being on the ground level.
Kadri has added lyricism by using twenty-foot columns on pedestals to support the building, which enhance the scale, creating a sense of majesty. The exterior cladding has been done with Rajasthani stone that weathers well in Mumbai’s heavy rains and hot summers.
Udaipur Lake Palace, Udaipur. Restored in 1972
The Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur, originally the royal palace of the Maharaja of Mewar, is known for its elegant architecture and gorgeous setting in the middle of Pichola Lake. Whilst converting it into an exquisite hotel, Kadri ensured that the original feel of Rajasthani architecture remained intact while providing the best experience of hospitality.
The traditional indoor garden courtyards were retained by Kadri and lavish rooms were added around the courtyard, without transgressing the external periphery. The old has been adaptively re-used while making way for the new functions, maintaining the sanctity and regal eloquence of spaces.
The Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur, originally the royal palace of the Maharaja of Mewar, is known for its elegant architecture and gorgeous setting in the middle of Pichola Lake. Whilst converting it into an exquisite hotel, Kadri ensured that the original feel of Rajasthani architecture remained intact while providing the best experience of hospitality.
The traditional indoor garden courtyards were retained by Kadri and lavish rooms were added around the courtyard, without transgressing the external periphery. The old has been adaptively re-used while making way for the new functions, maintaining the sanctity and regal eloquence of spaces.
Nehru Centre, Mumbai. Built in 1985
The Nehru Centre was designed as a living memorial to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Among those who were involved in the initial discussions about what the institution should look like, were scientists, historians, writers, litterateurs and thinkers. It was left to Kadri to give form to the structure that would hold the memorial. The building had to symbolise Nehru’s thought and ideology.
India’s strong agricultural base that emerged during Nehru’s time is represented by the landscaped ascent. The incline at Nehru Centre serves as a kind of mount for his memorial and for the foundations to big industries and public undertakings that were initiated by Nehru. The cylindrical memorial tower, noted for its fretwork-like latticed or crosshatched cladding, houses an auditorium that seats 1000 people, a library, an art gallery and other exhibition rooms and office spaces. The structure took over two years to build and cost Rs 9 crore. Nehru Centre today is a premier art and cultural centre in the country, with one of the city’s most favoured auditoriums.
The Nehru Centre was designed as a living memorial to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Among those who were involved in the initial discussions about what the institution should look like, were scientists, historians, writers, litterateurs and thinkers. It was left to Kadri to give form to the structure that would hold the memorial. The building had to symbolise Nehru’s thought and ideology.
India’s strong agricultural base that emerged during Nehru’s time is represented by the landscaped ascent. The incline at Nehru Centre serves as a kind of mount for his memorial and for the foundations to big industries and public undertakings that were initiated by Nehru. The cylindrical memorial tower, noted for its fretwork-like latticed or crosshatched cladding, houses an auditorium that seats 1000 people, a library, an art gallery and other exhibition rooms and office spaces. The structure took over two years to build and cost Rs 9 crore. Nehru Centre today is a premier art and cultural centre in the country, with one of the city’s most favoured auditoriums.
Haveli House, Mumbai. Built in 1989
“With a bungalow on each floor, the Haveli House literally creates castles in the air.”
Haveli House on Nepean Sea Road is a unique construction, comprising a stacking of ‘bungalow-over-bungalow’. The 24-storey building has only 12 residences; each apartment is a duplex unit, encompassing 6000 square feet, with a private cantilevered garden covering 900 square feet. The cantilevers offer huge double-height spaces for the residents and create private oases of peace in the midst of the chaos of the city.
“With a bungalow on each floor, the Haveli House literally creates castles in the air.”
Haveli House on Nepean Sea Road is a unique construction, comprising a stacking of ‘bungalow-over-bungalow’. The 24-storey building has only 12 residences; each apartment is a duplex unit, encompassing 6000 square feet, with a private cantilevered garden covering 900 square feet. The cantilevers offer huge double-height spaces for the residents and create private oases of peace in the midst of the chaos of the city.
The Oberoi, Bangalore. Built in 1992
The Oberoi in Bangalore was inspired by the city’s numerous gardens. Celebrating the city’s love affair with nature, the hotel was built into the existing greenery and flora. The building was set back to accommodate the dense foliage of an ancient rain tree - the hotel’s oldest resident.
Three acres were converted into a lush garden, simultaneously creating a buffer from any noise from the outside. All rooms face inwards towards the landscape, creating a sense of relaxation.
An element of comfort and poise that Kadri has added in most of his buildings is seen here as well, in the form of the much-celebrated balconies. The hotel recesses from the ground upwards, with stepped balconies lining the facade. The semi-circular balconies overflow with potted plants and flowerbeds. The hotel emerges as a fine example of how privacy and solitude can be provided right in the middle of the busiest street of a city.
The Oberoi in Bangalore was inspired by the city’s numerous gardens. Celebrating the city’s love affair with nature, the hotel was built into the existing greenery and flora. The building was set back to accommodate the dense foliage of an ancient rain tree - the hotel’s oldest resident.
Three acres were converted into a lush garden, simultaneously creating a buffer from any noise from the outside. All rooms face inwards towards the landscape, creating a sense of relaxation.
An element of comfort and poise that Kadri has added in most of his buildings is seen here as well, in the form of the much-celebrated balconies. The hotel recesses from the ground upwards, with stepped balconies lining the facade. The semi-circular balconies overflow with potted plants and flowerbeds. The hotel emerges as a fine example of how privacy and solitude can be provided right in the middle of the busiest street of a city.
Tata Chemicals, Babrala, Uttar Pradesh. Built in 1996
After acquiring 1500 acres, the house of Tatas wished to build a fertiliser factory. An entire township was to be designed, spread across 250 acres.
Kadri designed self-contained residential units staggered to create adjoining private kitchen gardens. A green belt, bursting with fruit trees, was created in the landscape around the entire property. To provide a constant supply of water for the fertiliser factory, a huge man-made pond was constructed, beautified with fountains and paved banks. Today, the pond acts as the social and aesthetic hub of the area.
After acquiring 1500 acres, the house of Tatas wished to build a fertiliser factory. An entire township was to be designed, spread across 250 acres.
Kadri designed self-contained residential units staggered to create adjoining private kitchen gardens. A green belt, bursting with fruit trees, was created in the landscape around the entire property. To provide a constant supply of water for the fertiliser factory, a huge man-made pond was constructed, beautified with fountains and paved banks. Today, the pond acts as the social and aesthetic hub of the area.
National Judicial Academy, Bhopal. Built in 2005
The National Judicial Academy, built to provide training for judicial officers, is built on a 60-acre plot, overlooking two lakes.
“Situated on the peak of a hill that had been used for rock mining, it was a rare opportunity for an architect to heal a large tract of land that has been deeply fractured when used as quarry, and we tried to make the most of it.”
The fissured rock and steep slopes challenged the planning, while the constant intention was to restore the land to its best state and complete the project without disturbing the skyline.
The campus takes advantage of the views of the badda tal and chota tal (big lake and small lake). The buildings are set in gardens, consisting of 11 courtyards of differing scales, openness, and character. The hostel building follows the slope of the hill, forming the iconic terrace gardens on each floor. The Academy building, set around a large courtyard, houses the administrative offices, seminar rooms, library and recreation hall.
The National Judicial Academy, built to provide training for judicial officers, is built on a 60-acre plot, overlooking two lakes.
“Situated on the peak of a hill that had been used for rock mining, it was a rare opportunity for an architect to heal a large tract of land that has been deeply fractured when used as quarry, and we tried to make the most of it.”
The fissured rock and steep slopes challenged the planning, while the constant intention was to restore the land to its best state and complete the project without disturbing the skyline.
The campus takes advantage of the views of the badda tal and chota tal (big lake and small lake). The buildings are set in gardens, consisting of 11 courtyards of differing scales, openness, and character. The hostel building follows the slope of the hill, forming the iconic terrace gardens on each floor. The Academy building, set around a large courtyard, houses the administrative offices, seminar rooms, library and recreation hall.
Lake Pawana Resort, Lonavala. Built in 2012
Situated by the lake at Pawana, Tungi, the Club Mahindra resort is spread over a sprawling expanse of 42 acres and is segregated into separate areas, based on its functions.
The complex, inspired by the surrounding landscape, merges with the contoured terrain, and natural streambeds meander across the site. The resort blocks have been carefully aligned, using cantilever and minimum ‘cut and fill’ to avoid any altering of existing landform.
The entrance to the resort is a cosy indoor courtyard with a front wall that is artistically detailed using a contemporary use of traditional Warli art. The chosen material palette of brown, beige, grey and white hues is inspired by the local culture and environment. The language of the built forms is aided entirely by its context, where the calm simplicity of the surroundings easily permeates into the interiors.
Read More:
What’s the Difference Between Modern and Contemporary?
How to Embrace Concrete in Your Home
Tell Us:
Which are your favourites among Kadri’s works? Tell us in Comments below.
Situated by the lake at Pawana, Tungi, the Club Mahindra resort is spread over a sprawling expanse of 42 acres and is segregated into separate areas, based on its functions.
The complex, inspired by the surrounding landscape, merges with the contoured terrain, and natural streambeds meander across the site. The resort blocks have been carefully aligned, using cantilever and minimum ‘cut and fill’ to avoid any altering of existing landform.
The entrance to the resort is a cosy indoor courtyard with a front wall that is artistically detailed using a contemporary use of traditional Warli art. The chosen material palette of brown, beige, grey and white hues is inspired by the local culture and environment. The language of the built forms is aided entirely by its context, where the calm simplicity of the surroundings easily permeates into the interiors.
Read More:
What’s the Difference Between Modern and Contemporary?
How to Embrace Concrete in Your Home
Tell Us:
Which are your favourites among Kadri’s works? Tell us in Comments below.
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IM Kadri was born in Ahmedabad and grew up in Delhi, and started his own practice, IM Kadri Architects, in Mumbai in 1960. Kadri has been a pioneering figure in shaping the architectural fabric of various Indian cities, defining what we call ‘Modern Architecture’ in India today. Especially in the city of Mumbai, he has built iconic institutions with cultural sensitivity while keeping an eye out to represent a modern and developing nation. His works find the perfect balance between functionality, modernism, social and regional awareness, and stand today as a testament to the power of architecture in our ever-changing times.