Building Type - Housing

  Year - 1994
  Description -  
The two-storey houses are arranged
around a square, which contains a
circular pathway giving access to all
units. The demarcation of central
enclosures is clearly established by
framed gateways with pedestrian
passages connecting the site to garages
on two ends adjoining peripheral roads.

Each dwelling unit has a private

enclosed garden at the rear, which
reflects the traditional British terrace
housing.
 
The architectural language of the
housing complex is based on energy
saving devices, e.g. deep set windows,
shaded balconies verandahs, roof
umbrellas and overhangs which keep the
walls roof and glazing protected from the
harsh glare of the sun.

The texture of stone and its changing

colours forms an important feature of
design complimenting the natural foliage
on the site.
  Bibliography
 Home from Home' Peter Wislocki,
Architectural Review (London), June
1987

  Building Type - Housing

  Year - 1994
  Description -  
He lived in Delhi and Shimla for a couple of years in his childhood that is from 1939 – 1951. He attended
Harcourt Butler higher secondary school. In 1951-1954, he attended Delhi School of Architecture in New Delhi.

He was very imaginative and a creative person. His imaginative perception helped him go a long way. He
believed in gaining knowledge and then applied his knowledge mingled with creativity in his projects.

After completing the post graduation in Architecture; in 1955-1961, he moved to London and attended the
architectural association of architecture for one year. He completed his formal professional training at the
Brixton school of building, London.

Raj Rewal took up his first job as an assistant stage manager for several avante grade theatre production in
London. He became an associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects, London.

Raj Rewal worked with Michel Ecochards’s office in Paris before starting his practice in New Delhi. He designed
designed the Asiad Village and the Parliament Library in New Delhi. He got married to a Lady named Helene
from France in 1962.

He set up his own architectural practice in 1962 when he returned back to Delhi. In 1963-72, he taught at the
Delhi School of Architecture. He opened his second Architectural Office at Tehran, Iran in 1974. Ram Sharma
was his associate in the foundation of the Architectural Research Cell in 1985. In 1986, he became the curator
of the exhibition “Traditional Architecture in India” for the festival of India in Paris.
Professional Life Experiences

He completed his Graduation in the field of Architecture in Europe.

He met with 3 encounters which shaped his architectural ideology. He developed his ideology and followed
it for the rest of his life.

1. First encounter, he relates to his interest in structures during which he developed during the review
of his diploma projects.

2. Second one accounts on his working experience that he gained while he was working as an assistant
manager for several Avante Grade theatre productions in London. As a set designer for the drama
shows, he learnt that each dramatic work had a particular character which he interpreted as the rasa
of the building.

3. Third encounter, as I mentioned earlier, he worked with Michel Ecohard in Paris, before beginning his
own architectural practice. In this office, he learned the principles of Urban design and Planning.

Later on, he was offered an opportunity to work on the design of a space frame structure that was going to be
constructed as a Museum in Kuwait.

Exhibition Pavilions at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi has been designed by him.

Pragati Maidan Complex

He was assigned a Project of the design of a Parliament Library which he designed beautifully with lot of grace
and also adding majestic qualities to the structure. He convinced the European consultants to develop an
unusual structural system for the Ismaili centre and the central public works department to undertake the
construction of stone columns and ferro cement domes for the Parliament Library.
Parliament Library in New Delhi

Influences of Raj Rewal

The two major influence that he encountered is the time when he returned to India. He admits that those
influences have helped him in his development as an architect.

1. When he became a Professor at the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi

2. After studying the Projects of Le Corbusier

Corbusier made contemporary designs. After the success achieved by him in the planning of Chandigarh City, it
became evident to Raj Rewal that Modern means can be applied to build in India.

He developed a sense of Contemporary style as well as learned to retain the traditionalism of India.

I will discuss more about Raj Rewal’s Architectural Philosophy and his Features of Design in my articles in
near future.

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