Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret: The Indian Architecture
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Transcript of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret: The Indian Architecture
Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret
The Indian Architecture
Authors: Sarbjit Bahga and Surinder Bahga
Language: English
Pages: 378
Size: 8.5”x11” (Paperback)
Photographs: 404 (B/W)
Illustrations: 121 (B/W)
ISBN-10: 1495906256
ISBN-13: 978-1495906251
Publishers: Createspace Independent Publishing.
Available on: http://www.amazon.com/
The achievements of creative men reach out far beyond the bonds of their national
background and environment. They soar like mountain peaks above narrow confines of their
immediate setting and become part of a world panorama. This is true of the works of Le
Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. Most of the architectural fraternity is already familiar with their
Indian work which was accomplished when they were at the zenith of their career. The
enduring quality, eclectic range and enormous volume of their work in India calls for an
intensive critical appraisal. Undoubtedly, a large number of publications include Le Corbusier’s
projects in India but very few dwell on Pierre Jeanneret’s contribution to architecture in India.
Most of those which cover Le Corbusier’s work are subjective in nature and are often dealt with
by foreign authors who presumably have made rather brief visits to view their creations before
writing about them.
The book, though a modest addition to the voluminous publications, mostly descriptive,
on these legendry architects, hope to throw light on some features hitherto not dealt with in
earlier existing literature. The present book discusses almost all the works of Le Corbusier and
Pierre Jeanneret in India including some lesser-known ones as well as some projects which
were not realized. Indeed some of these have been written about for the first time. In Particular
Pierre Jeanneret’s works which were not so well-known earlier but find a befitting coverage in
this book. Published after more than five decades of Chandigarh’s inception, this work portrays
the up-to-date scenario of the built-environment vis-à-vis the inhabitants’ views on it. The
reaction of the ultimate recipients of any delivery system, naturally based on their felt needs, is
a most critical aspect for any in-depth analysis.
Besides discussing Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret’s work in this sub-continent, the
book also reviews their influence on contemporary architecture, urban design and town
planning in India in the post-Independence era. It acquaints the readers with a number of well-
known and some lesser-known architects and their work in the country, in terms of their
planning and design approaches which reflect an undeniable and indelible influence of Le
Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret.
The book has been divided into eight rigorously drafted chapters:
Chapter 1, Tale of Two Colossi sketches the luminous lives of le Corbusier and Pierre
Jeanneret. It explains their Indian connection with interesting events which happened
during their stay in this country.
Chapter 2, titled City Planning describes Le Corbusier’s theories of town planning and
their implementation in Chandigarh. It includes a brief comparative study of planning of
contemporary capital cities like Islamabad, Brasilia and Canberra. It evaluates the
Chandigarh city after more than five decades of its existence. It also covers Jeanneret’s
Talwara, Sundernagar, Pandoh and Slapper township projects.
Chapter 3, deals with Citadels of Democracy and is devoted to the Chandigarh Capitol
Complex with comparison to similar projects designed by other architects. It also
describes Jeanneret’s Raj Bhavan at Chandigarh along with techniques of conservation
of concrete in buildings.
Chapter 4, Poetry of Homes discusses government housing and private residences
designed by Jeanneret in Chandigarh and Le Corbusier’s villas at Ahmedabad.
Chapter 5, Hives of Work analyzes Chandigarh’s City Centre, sector markets and
shopping centres along the Madhya Marg. It includes office buildings in Chandigarh and
Mill Owners Association Building at Ahmedabad.
Chapter 6, Temples of Learning deals with Pierre Jeanneret’s educational institutions
like the Panjab University, nursery schools, junior secondary schools, the Central
Polytechnic, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in
Chandigarh, and Medical College at Rohtak in Haryana. It also discusses Le Corbusier’s
College of Art and Chandigarh College of Architecture. Besides, it traces the masters’
influence on campus planning and architecture of other universities, colleges and
schools.
Chapter 7, Corridors of Culture covers Le Corbusier’s Museum and Art Gallery and
Pavilion of Temporary Exhibitions (now City Museum) in Chandigarh and Sanskar Kendra
at Ahmedabad. The recreational places like Sukna Lake, the Leisure Valley, and the Lake
Club find detailed description. Some lesser-known works of Le Corbusier as Bhakra Dam
at Nangal in Punjab and an unbuilt stadium at Chandigarh are also discussed in this
chapter. It also includes various museums and cultural centres designed by various
Indian architects which show the influence of Le Corbusier.
Chapter 8, Footprints traces the role of the masters in evolution of modern architecture
in India and discusses the works of Indian architects who were influenced by their
philosophy of architecture and city planning. Some other towns like Gandhinagar,
Goindwal Sahib and S.A.S. Nagar which are designed on the lines of Chandigarh are also
discussed. The role played by Chandigarh College of Architecture along with other
institutions in promoting Corbusierism and Jeanneretism is highlighted in this chapter.
An epilogue titled A Participant Witness by Jeet Malhotra, a close associate of Le
Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, concludes the book with suggestions for solving the
problems of urbanization in India.
The book aims at putting on record first-hand information collected from those
architects who joined Le Corbusier’s team as young assistants in the early fifties. Some of them
have already passed away from the scene. Those living are in the last phase of their life. It was
authors’ endeavour to gather relevant information from them as well as compile their views
and insights regarding Le Corbusier and Jeanneret and their work experiences with them as
witnesses to the great historical event of building an altogether new capital city on virgin land
at the foothills of Shiwalik Hills. Besides being an historical event in itself, it changed the course
of architectural thinking in India in the post-Independence era. Le Corbusier and Pierre
Jeanneret’s works profoundly influenced not only the approach to architectural design of
professionals connected with the built-environment but also their concepts of structure, line,
movement, form, materials and construction techniques. An incisive and comprehensive
attempt has been made to trace the influence of these masters on Indian architects and
planners who themselves were the torch-bearers for next generation of architects. Thus the
book can be treated as a mirror to the historical development of architectural legacy of Le
Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret.
The book will prove of value as a reference work to future planners, architects, engineers,
urban designers, landscape architects, interior designers and students of these disciplines
besides the decision-makers and serious, curious and enlightened lay readers the world over.
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