EGA (Nov 2021)
In conversation with… Balkrishna Doshi
Abstract
Indian architect Balkrishna Doshi, 2018 Pritzker Prize, has recently turned 92, remaining in full and enthusiastic dedication to his architectural vocation and his family. José María Lozano Velasco, UPV architectural project Professor, had the opportunity to meet him at Sangath– his studio in Ahmedabad– last August, to share common concerns and learn from this architectural master, though he eschews being given such titles. Right when the second opportunity to get to know his work in detail had just concluded –this time at the Architekmuseum der TUM, part of Munich’s Pinakothek der Moderne art museum– through the splendid exhibition called Architecture for the people produced by the VITRA museum of Weil am Rhein, the author’s first-hand reflections in his own voice are enlightening for better comprehension of his work. It is well-known the invaluable collaboration that Doshi maintained with the great master Le Corbusier in the conception and execution of Chandigarh, in addition to the essential participation of our architect on the Campus of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad of Louis Khan. It is also interesting to study the influence of both his first works as well as to observe his evolution towards the magic of Amdavad ni Gufa or his deep concern for low-cost housing, which in the district of Aranya, Indore, becomes a reality. We cannot preclude the studies of colleagues and friends such as William Curtis or Kenneth Frampton who, with more authority than us, have addressed the matter. This article is the result of the compiled knowledge and consideration given to the large part of the work plus the enriching conversation with its author. However, its approach is different as we have intended to investigate those reasons that made the first Doshi period be known as “Tradition and Modernity”, using the most magical (or mythical, as he likes to refer to them) and main tool to transmit them: the drawing (and the coloured drawing). This article includes literal or adapted transcripts from some passages of the meeting and have been contextualized for more better readability.
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