The Designed Vernacular- The Universal Indigenous-Positing vernacular architecture in a global world

Concerns about the regimenting and homogenizing effect of technological advancement on the distinctness of place and culture have triggered conversations on regionalism and identity in architecture leading to renewed interest in and deliberation on vernacular building traditions. This research proposes a study of the historiography of Indian Architecture with special emphasis on the Architecture, Urbanism and Ideas of the Indian Architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi (Born 1927), and his interaction with Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn to investigate how a reconciliation of the universal with the regional, culminates in a pattern of spaces suitable to the land, the habits of the user, climate, human scale and spiritual/cultural values. This study is critical as it encompasses the interpretation of the modern vernacular by 3 architects from 3 continents; Doshi from Asia and his mentors Le Corbusier from Europe and Louis Kahn from America. It will be an attempt to understand the local and the universal feed into each other to form a symbiotic pair and to to trigger a discourse vis-à-vis the workability of indigenous practices in a globally connected world.

Faculty Supervisor:

Stephen Fai

Student:

Pallavi Swaranjali

Partner:

Discipline:

Architecture and design

Sector:

University:

Carleton University

Program:

Globalink