Pritzker prize winning architect Balkrishna Doshi lauds improvements in Kolkata's infrastructure

Doshi, winner of the Pritzker prize, popularly referred to as architecture's Nobel, was recently in Kolkata on the invitation of Ambuja Neotia group chairman Harshvardhan Neotia.

According to the prize awarding organisation, "By granting him [Doshi] the award this year, the Pritzker Prize jury recognizes his exceptional architecture as reflected in over a hundred buildings he has realized, his commitment and his dedication to his country and the communities he has served, his influence as a teacher, and the outstanding example he has set for professionals and students around the world throughout his long career."

According to Doshi, designing a house in India is quite a challenge. Indians like to live in a big family. During festivals, of which India has plenty, and weddings, a lot of guests come to the house. "So we have to design accordingly," he said.

He said, “I search for the soul of architecture and its relevance to society at large rather than a stagnant small pond or a lake”.

Doshi said he visited Indian villages, towns and cities. He paid attention to the cyclic patterns of climate, work, customs and rituals, which opened up various aspects in front of him.

The veteran architect had worked on a project in Kolkata during the 1990s which revealed how a single complex can be designed to accommodate people from all segments of society -- upper, middle and low income groups.

(Reporting by Subhajit Mandal)