Introduction
Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi, also known as B.V. Doshi, is an Indian architect who is considered to be one of the most influential figures in modern Indian architecture.
Doshi’s architecture is characterized by his use of traditional Indian architectural principles combined with modernist design elements. He has designed a wide range of projects including public buildings, private residences, educational institutions, and urban planning projects.
THE LIFE
- Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi was born in Pune, India in 1927.
- Born in an extended hindu family which was involved in furniture industry.
- He did his bachelors from J. J. School of Art, Bombay in 1950.
- He worked for four years with Le Corbusier as senior designer (1951-54) in Paris.
- In 1956 he established a private practice in Vastu-Shilpa, Ahmedabad and in 1962 he established the Vastu-Shilpa Foundation for Environmental Design.
India’s Independence and BV Doshi
He studied at the Sir J. J. School of Art in Mumbai between 1947 and 1950, being enrolled the same year India got independence. He can truly be called the architect of free and modern India.
I was not really sure what it meant independence because i was very young. I was not conscious about what roles i would play in future, but i had these opportunities which came my way. – BV Doshi
Le Corbusier and BV Doshi
In 1950, BV Doshi went to london where he met Le corbusier and started working under him.
He worked with corbusier for 4 years and In 1954, he returned to India to supervise Corbusier’s buildings in Ahmedabad, which included the Villa Sarabhai, Villa Shodhan, Mill Owners’ Association Building, and Sanskar Kendra.
Corbusier is described as having been a major influence on Doshi’s later work.
Doshi played a major role in designing Chandigarh and there he learnt about creating basic, simple and low cost communal spaces.
