To create an identity in a newly independent nation and carve a name as one of the most celebrated and acclaimed architects in India is no less than a herculean task. Although his journey was filled with hardships, the legendary B.V. Doshi did it with such ease!
Balkrishna Doshi leaves behind not only a legacy of his architectural designs, but also notable literary pieces to his name. In this blog, we have carefully curated some of the best known books authored by him as well as the ones written on him. His distinct style of design, warm personality, creative mind and academic proficiency also reflected in his writing.
Today, as the design community mourns Balkrishna Doshi’s loss, let’s take a moment to reminisce and appreciate his books and the knowledge imparted through them, inspiring centuries to come.Here is a collection of 10 B.V. Doshi books to read, exclusively presented by “The Architect’s Diary” – A Legendary Architect’s Literary Legacy!
Paths Uncharted
Recounts the extraordinary life and achievements of the architect BV Doshi from lifelong notes and diaries kept by him -Features several of his own drawings Dr Balkrishna Doshi is foremost among the modern Indian architects. An urban planner and educator for the past seventy years, Dr Doshi is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Architects.
B.V Doshi writing on Architecture and Identity
This book presents a curated selection of Balkrishna Doshi’s exceptional writings since the 1950s, with some published here for the first time. The collection of 15 lectures, articles and essays is richly illustrated with more than 50 of Doshi’s personal hand-drawn sketches.
B.V. Doshi – Architecture for the People
“Balkrishna Doshi constantly demonstrates that all good architecture and urban planning must not only unite purpose and structure but must take into account climate, site, technique and craft.” – Pritzker Prize 2018 jurors.
B.V. Doshi – Kamala House
‘Kamala House, BV Doshi’ is the third book in a series devoted to some of the famous architects, the houses they built, and the stories behind them. After travelling to England in the 40’s to complete his studies in architecture, and working under Le Corbusier in Paris, Doshi returned to a newly independent India in the early 50’s. He founded his practice, Sangath, and struck out on his own intensely humanistic path, with projects ranging from civic and educational institutions to low-income housing projects and the home he built for his own family in 1963 : Kamala House, named after his wife, and home to three generations of family over the past 50 years. In 2018 Doshi was awarded the coveted Pritzker Architecture Prize.
Sangath Indian architecture between tradition and modernity
Sangath (1979-81) sits between two phases in the oeuvre of the Indian master architect Balkrishna Doshi: a first phase, in which machine-like cubic masses are raised aloft in the landscape; and a second, characterized by crustacean-like creatures lying embedded in the ground. The first includes the Institute of Indology in Ahmedabad (1957-62) and the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore (1977-85), and the second is the eccentric Husain-Doshi Gufa (1992-95) that followed Sangath. Sangath is a key project that takes Doshi from an explicitly rational and objective approach to architecture toward an openly oneiric and mythopoeic way of working.
The Masters in India – Balkrishna Doshi
The book includes an essay by Bruno Melotto, which presents the local architectural scene in India through some of it’s most important personalities.
Scapes – Laura de Santillana and Alessandro diaz de Santillana
This book celebrates Scapes, a gloriously colorful, dynamic new body of work in glass imagined and executed by siblings Laura de Santillana and Alessandro Diaz de Santillana. In addition to having a family history anchored in the traditions of glassmaking in Murano, Italy, both are respected artists in the international Studio Glass movement and have enjoyed successful solo careers. This book celebrates their first collaboration.
Portrait Of A House – Conversations with B.V. Doshi
Portrait of a house is Dayanita Singh’s most recent work. Through a series of conversations between Singh and architect B.V. Doshi, we encounter two artists working with a common medium, that of communicating and storytelling through light.
B.V. Doshi Architect, Pune, Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy of School of Art
B. V. Doshi An Architecture for India
The book is in four main parta: a historical essay: a section which analyses key projects in detail with the aid of sketches, models, drawings and diary jottings: a selection of the architect’s reflections; and a postscript by the author on the trends in Indian architecture. A detailed bibliorashy and cataloge of Doshi’s works complete the study.
The way we design spaces that people inhabit goes beyond mere functionality. It requires an intentional sensitivity to how each detail shapes the overall experience and interaction with the surrounding ecological context. Nestled in the suburban periphery of Nashik, the project occupies a 3700 sq. ft. plot located at the dead-end of a street, adjacent […]
Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]
In a time when design is often reduced to trends, Yaahvi’s light design stands as a reminder of tactility, tradition, and craftsmanship. Founded by Nikita Bansal, who journeyed from Assam to the global design stage, champions a philosophy where contemporary aesthetics meet age-old Indian craftsmanship. In this exclusive interview, Nikita reflects on her early influences, […]
India, a nation bustling with innovation and a constant drive for progress, is increasingly embracing an unconventional yet incredibly promising architectural trend: container architecture. We are witnessing a fascinating transformation, as discarded shipping containers, once traversing the high seas laden with goods, now find new life as dynamic, sustainable, and surprisingly sophisticated living and working […]
This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]
Imagine yourself on the terrace of your hidden mountain retreat, drinking a fresh cup of coffee as you admire the sunrise emerging from behind the rolling hills across the valley. This serene atmosphere is exactly what Hello Wood’s latest project, the Console House, is designed to offer. The Console House showcases modern architecture design while […]
As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]
Located in the thriving city of Ichalkaranji, this is an example of luxury residences is a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The striking exterior, adorned with brick and natural stone cladding, exudes warmth, character, and permanence. These rich textures create a visually captivating façade, harmonizing tradition with contemporary design while making a […]
Throughout history, stone has embodied permanence, artistry, and raw beauty in architecture. From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the earthy elegance of modern villas, stone remains a beloved material for its strength, sustainability, and aesthetic richness. As design trends evolve toward natural materials, eco-conscious decisions, and biophilic design, stone has found new expressions — […]
The space adopts a biophilic office design and climate-responsive approach, creating a workspace that reimagines urban interiors by deeply embedding them with nature. The style is earthy, minimal, and modern with a strong contextual sensitivity to its location. Also, a lush canopy surrounds the bare-shell site on the first floor, allowing for abundant daylight and […]