Works and Beliefs of RIBA Gold Medalist ’22, Balkrishna V. Doshi
It is a surreal moment to be able to imbibe words from the maestros of the field. In one of his lectures ‘Breaking the Barriers’, Balkrishna V. Doshi described his work by starting off with three words, ‘Porosity, Paradox and Practice’ where he explained that in our country, there is much of ‘Porosity’, it seems to be vibrant and lively, at the same time living here pretty much needs confrontation with ‘Paradoxes’ in life, there are Paradoxes with which we live, and we as designers, are ‘Practicing’ in this type of setting.
Opening up with his beliefs which he built and his journey of architecture which was inspired from watching the life and lessons of his grandfather, who owned a furniture workshop, he also described how after coming into the field and getting to work with Le Corbusier, his works and his style inspired him profoundly. The influence is seen in many of Doshi’s works.
IIM Bangalore, His own residence, School of Architecture CEPT, Aranya Housing, Gufa, and many more projects that he has designed, he explained the gist of it and the inspirations he took from. It is so important and awe-spiring to understand a designer’s thought process while making the masterpiece.
Ar. Balkrishna Doshi was selected as the Royal Gold Medalist by The Honours Committee RIBA 2022 (Simon Allford, Sir David Adjaye OBE, Alison Brooks, Kate Cheyne and Dr Gus Casely-Hayford OBE)
His journey is something a designer should try to understand and assimilate. Spanning 7 decades of career, Doshi has designed over 100 projects in India and abroad.
On hearing the news that he will receive the Royal Gold Medal in 2022, Balkrishna Doshi said:
“I am pleasantly surprised and deeply humbled to receive the Royal Gold Medal from the Queen of England. What a great honor! The news of this award brought back memories of my time working with Le Corbusier in 1953 when he had just received the news of getting the Royal Gold Medal. I vividly recollect his excitement to receive this honor from Her Majesty. He said to me metaphorically, ‘I wonder how big and heavy this medal will be.’ Today, six decades later I feel truly overwhelmed to be bestowed with the same award as my guru, Le Corbusier – honoring my six decades of practice. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my wife, my daughters, and most importantly my team and collaborators at Sangath my studio.” (RIBA)
He thoughtfully questions “ Is architecture restricted? Is architecture not connected to its surroundings which makes it alive?” The answer to these questions is seen coming alive in all of his projects.
His key projects include Shreyas Comprehensive School Campus (1958-63), Ahmedabad, India; Atira Guest House (1958), Ahmedabad, India, low-cost housing; The Institute of Indology (1962), Ahmedabad, India, a building to house rare documents; CEPT School of Architecture (1966, with additions until 2012) – renamed CEPT University in 2002 – which focused on creating spaces that promoted collaborative learning; Tagore Hall & Memorial Theatre (1967), a 700 seat Brutalist auditorium in Ahmedabad, India; Premabhai Hall (1976), Ahmedabad, India, former theatre and auditorium; Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore (1977 – 1992), a business school; Sangath (1981), the studio for his architecture practice, Vastu Shilpa; Kanoria Centre for Arts (1984), an arts and creative hub; Aranya Low-Cost Housing (1989), Indore, India, which won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1995 and Amdavad ni Gufa (1994), a cave-like art gallery that exhibits the work of artist Maqbool Fida Husain. (RIBA)
Shreyas Comprehensive School Campus (1958-63)
Atira (1958)
Kamala House (1959)
CEPT School of Architecture (1966, with additions until 2012 still continued in 2021)
Tagore Hall & Memorial Theatre (1967)
Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore (1977 – 1992)
Kanoria Centre for Arts (1984)
Aranya Low-Cost Housing (1989)
Amdavad ni Gufa (1994)
Written by : Ar. Radha Hirpara (The Architect’s Diary)
Text Credits given to RIBA where necessary.
Luxury used to be all about flashing big logos and bold statements. But lately, the game’s changed. Quiet luxury is all about subtlety: investing in quality, craftsmanship, and classic pieces that don’t cry out for attention but quietly elevate your space. It’s that feeling you get walking into a room where everything just feels right, without needing […]
Imagine a home that breathes with the breeze, where sunlight filters through lush foliage, and the vibrant hues of nature are an extension of your living space. Tropical houses are architectural marvels; a profound dialogue between human habitation and the natural world, born from centuries of adapting to warm, humid climates. Far from rigid structures, […]
Buying a mini excavator isn’t something you do on a whim. Whether you’re expanding your fleet or picking up your first machine, you need to know it’s the right fit, not just for today’s jobs, but for what you’ll be tackling a year or two down the line. These machines might be smaller than full-size […]
“Dream kitchens don’t just happen — they’re designed with care and style.” Walking into the same old and outdated kitchen in your home? It’s time to change the design and get that wow factor, according to your needs and wise design choices. Seems like a challenging task, right? But let’s be clear here, the kitchen […]
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 […]
When it comes to enhancing the kitchen window over the sink, various design ideas are possible to decorate Indian homes. From rooted in tradition to Western-style modular kitchens offer both functionality and attractive aesthetics. Apart from the sleek profile and raised breakfast counter, the kitchen window over sink is another spot to add appeal and […]
Indian homes place equal importance on pooja room door designs as they do on main door designs. With diverse and unique ethnic backgrounds, every family strives to reflect their personalities and identities in their designs. These identities can encompass religious or spiritual interests, local contexts, or other personal elements. This series of blogs, featuring 50 […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]
The integration of screening evergreen trees serves as an artful blend of practicality and natural beauty. These screening evergreen trees, with their lush foliage and diverse benefits, play a crucial role in enhancing privacy. It also blocks unwanted views, and contributes to the overall well-being of homeowners. From the majestic Jamun trees to the versatile […]