Roshita Sudhir

PG190787

WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE?

What is architecture? Although this questions seems quite straight forward, it is rather difficult to
render a clear cut definition for the same. The vastness of the subject maybe attributed to the fact
that architecture cannot exist in isolation, it is a byproduct of several cultural, historical and
geographic factors. Therefore, to answer the same question we’ll have to look at the bigger
picture and see one in conjunction with another, which leads us to the next question “When is
architecture produced?”

We can safely state that architecture is produced as response to a given context, however this
would bring us to the task of shedding some light on ‘what constitute a context?’. A context
could be defined by a set of criteria like location, climate, geography, culture and economy of a
place. ‘Time’ also plays a pivotal role in shaping the architecture of a place. “The way we build
is a reflection of the way we live”. The social, economic, cultural and spiritual aspirations of a
community is manifested as built structures; this varies at different points of time in history. The
mass, proportion, line, texture, and colour of the various forms in architecture helps to translate
these aspirations in to something tangible

Let us take the classic example of step wells of Gujarat. Step wells are essentially community
irrigation tanks built to cope up with the fluctuations in availability of water through the seasons.
A series of steps is provided for people to descend easily to the level of water. Bordering the
well, are series of galleries and chambers which proves as a shaded retreat from the scorching
sun. Thus, the Stepwells acts as multifunctional spaces, apart from storing water also serves as a
place for social gatherings. However with the advent of modern day plumbing, these step wells
have fallen into a state of despair.

How do buildings shape society? Winston Churchill once famously said “We shape our
buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us”. The power of architecture cannot be easily
fathomed. It has the capacity to shape our experience without us being consciously aware of it.
Human beings can be perceived as sensitive antenna which reacts to external stimuli invisible to
our eye. Buildings essentially provide a backdrop for our lives. On a daily basis we confront
buildings and live within it every day. A space can have a profound impact on the wellbeing and
mood of the user. To a certain extent it can have a shaping influence on the user’s life, not so
much as to determine the behavior but maybe to mould it to a certain degree.

‘Architecture aids in weaving the physical fabric of the city’ as Mr. Kaiwan Mehta had pointed
out in his lecture. Considerable stress ought to be given to the visual aspect of architecture and
how we encounter it in our everyday life. He has also rightly said that “We never encounter a
building in plan or section, rather we encounter it in parts”. A building is never experienced by
the user from as single point of view but is rather sensed in parts as one navigates through it.

Often Architecture is intertwined with other disciplines like Art. Hence, while appreciating a
building due credit has to be given to that as well. Ajanta and Ellora, one of the finest examples
of Hindi and Buddhist architecture would be incomplete without its mural paintings and rock cut
sculptures. The architect like the user should observe the building from many standpoints.

Let us examine the relationship between the ‘user’ and the ‘producer’. The ‘user’ is an individual
or a group of people with certain aspirations. Being layman, they might not be equipped to
express their needs and aspirations in a coherent manner. At this point an architect can become
instrumental, by employing the correct strategies aid the user to translate his aspirations into
physical manifestation.

Today, architects are plagued with the notion of ‘self’. Our endeavour must be to suspend
thinking as an architect. Until, Renaissance the names of the architect who have built some of the
most spectacular structures were not mentioned. Their names too get eroded with time, just like
their buildings. Buildings are built to cater to the need of a particular time. We as architects are
mere instruments striving to translate the aspiration of people into a physical manifestation. We
have to strive to detach ourselves from our work. As Mr. Kaiwan Mehta had said in his lecture
“Architecture has to be independent of its producer”.

After foreword

What is architecture? This question cannot be answered in a straight forward manner due to the
vastness of its subject. It is intertwined with other fields like economy, history, culture and
geography. We need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture and see one in conjunction
with another, in order to gain a better understanding of the subject. Architecture of a place is
defined by its context. The context in turn is informed by several factors like location, climate,
geography, culture, economy and aspirations of people dwelling in a place at one point in
history; these factors vary with time. Hence, time plays a pivotal role in design. How does
architecture affect the everyday lives of people? We confront buildings on a daily basis and live
within it. The power of architecture cannot be easily fathomed. It has the capacity to shape our
experience without us being consciously aware of it. The space has a profound effect on the
well-being of user and buildings which constitute the physical fabric of the city has considerable
impact on it. Lastly to define the role of an architect; we are mere instruments striving to
translate the aspiration of lay man into a physical manifestation
Roshita Sudhir
PG190787

WHAT IS INDIAN ARCHITECTURE?

IS THERE AN INDIAN ARCHITECTURE?

What is Indian Architecture? Is there an Indian Architecture? If we are to get an answer to this
question, we must first of all strive to get a rationalist outlook on the matter. Especially since it is
a culture which we were brought up in, where our governing ideals stems from, naturally there is
tendency to lean in favour of it and glorify it. However if are to uncover the truth, we have to set
apart all these partialities and self-introspect under fresh light.

I can begin by asking myself the question “What determines the architecture of a place?” I would
end up with a list of factors like climate, local materials, craftsmanship, culture and religion. This
would apply to any place in the world. Then, how does it set us apart from the rest of the world?

Architecture of every region is unique in their own respect. However, if we take a closer look at
them, we can see the similarities it has to one another. Perhaps it is because of the fact that at one
point of time in history, their paths did criss-cross.

A country rich in wealth, culture and heritage like ours have always attracted outsiders to come
conquer, plunder and possess all that was worth. Be it the British East India Company, who came
as traders in 1757 and eventually ended up as rulers and administrators or the Mughals who came
and established their dynasty in 1526; lasting impressions have been made on the culture, art and
architecture fabric of the country.

Under the Mughal era, Persian and Indian style were fused together to create works of
extraordinary perfection and craftsmanship. Indo-Islamic architecture and miniature paintings
being the prime examples. Under the British rule, the Indo-Sarcenic style flourished; drawing
elements from the prevalent Indo-Islamic architecture and combining it with Gothic revival and
Neo-Classical style. Bombay and Calcutta being the main centers of British administration
witnessed the construction of numerous buildings in this style. Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus,
Mumbai and Victoria Memorial, Calcutta serves as good examples of this style.
The dissemination of art and architecture across India can also be attributed to travel. Let us take
the example of the ancient trade route- the Silk Route. The network of trail spanned a distance of
7000 miles from China through central Asia, northern India and Parthian Empire, to the Roman
Empire. The Silk Route was extremely conducive for the cross cultural exchange between India
and rest of the Silk Route countries. It served as a medium for the synthesis of Indo-Persian art
and culture. Islam, Sufism, Qawwalli, Miniature art came to India through this route. Thus, the
Silk Route played an important role in the integration of art and culture of India.

This brings us back to the question, “Is there anything regionalistic about the Architecture of
India?”. Maybe not. Ideas are always traversing, no region can claim it as their own due to the
multitude of transaction it has with the external world; an idea is always inspired by another.

If there is no Indian Identity, how do we built then? Are these attempts to incorporate India’s
past into its contemporary architectural design futile?

Keeping aside all the nostalgia and ideologies, we need to examine the need of hour. In the
context of the exhibition ‘State of Architecture’ conducted in Mumbai, Mr. Rahul Mehrotra had
rightly pointed out in his interview ‘Without the benefit of Hindsight’ that, “The architecture that
has been celebrated in India since the liberalisation of our economy has been the ‘architecture of
indulgence’- weekend homes, restaurants, resorts and corporate offices; and as an extension of
this limited spectrum of what is celebrated, the discussion is focused on material, craft, and
texture in an almost fetishistic manner”. While this is productive in its own way - it removes the
perception of the usefulness of architecture away from public. All such programmes that, while
they are crucibles for architectural innovation, touch very small fragment of our population.”

This is the state of architecture in our country - The Architecture in India. What is the way
forward? A pragmatic shift to public domain might be imperative. This requires us to
re-interpret our role as architects. How can we make ourselves instrumental to the society? Can
we make ourselves capable to capture the societal aspirations and translate it into physical
manifestation? Can we use architecture as a medium to blur the differences across different
sections of our society? Lastly, can we as architect be agents of change to improve people’s
lives.
After foreword

Many attempts have been made in the past as well to Indianize Indian architecture. While it is
important to acknowledge and respect our past, we should not get carried away by it either.
Most of architecture in India which has stood the test time, is largely a confluence of two
building traditions. Hence, there is nothing that we could claim as truly Indian. As we
frantically search our past for this Indian Identity and try to integrate it into our contemporary
architectural design, we must not forget the need of our present. The focus has to be retained on
the issues we face ‘today’ as a society. Can we as architects draw from the wisdom of our past to
solve the problems we face today like migration, housing shortage, lack of sanitation,
sustainability, pollution, segregation and inequity. Until now, we were preoccupied with catering
to the private realm but what is required at this hour is a return to the public domain of
architecture. We as architects need to constantly re-define our role to give an appropriate social
response. If at all architecture has a power, why not use it to improve the quality of people’s
lives.