Artist Lens｜Balkrishna V. Doshi: What is Architecture?

The late Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi (1927-2023) was one of the most significant Indian architects of the twentieth century. Recipient of the 2018 Pritzker Architecture Prize, Doshi saw architecture as a dynamic and evolving practice that has the potential to enrich and transform lives, offering a means of expression, not solely about the physical form, but also about the underlying ideas, intentions, and meanings embedded within it.
Under the tutelage of the Swiss-French architect, urban planner, and designer, Le Corbusier, Doshi cultivated a meticulous approach to his architectural practice. The two would work together on The Mill Owners’ Association project in Ahmedabad and the planning and design of the city of Chandigarh, India.
One of Doshi’s notable designs is the CEPT campus, an academic institution located in Ahmedabad. The campus is designed to promote natural ventilation and foster interaction by creating a free-flowing space without imposing doors. Doshi’s dedication to integrating nature into the campus design is exemplified by his meticulous placement of trees throughout the premises. In describing the campus, Doshi has said, ‘There were 30 to 40 mango trees on the site which have been replaced by neem trees. There were guava trees. I had imagined the students would eat the fruits for lunch. One should feel like one is in a garden. People should climb the trees.’
Doshi’s unique approach to design is evident in the Amdavad Ni Gufa, an underground gallery housing the works of artist M. F. Husain. With this project, Doshi rejected tradition and embraced fluidity, creating an experiential space where light, form, and structure converge. The Amdavad Ni Gufa’s design was inspired by underground caves and stepwells, it is here where Doshi employs reflected light to create a soft, ethereal glow, underscoring the central role light has in his designs.
Doshi considers architecture to be more than just rigid definitions. In his view, architecture is a symphony that blends spaces, light, and volume. By means of his designs, he establishes a link between nature and architecture, representing a connection with life itself and serving as a medium for human experience.
#Doshi #Architecture #ArchitectureLovers #MPlusMuseum
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