#memory
Charles Correa.
1 September is the birth anniversary of Architect Charles Correa.
Charles Correa ( 1930-2015) is arguably the most famous and internationally acclaimed architect in the history of independent India.
This well known architect and urban planner was famous for applying modernist design principles of contemporary times to local climates and building styles.
Born in Secunderabad, Correa sl studied in St Xavier’s College and the University of Mumbai, before proceeding to the USA to study at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (1949–53) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1953–55).
In 1958, he came back to India and commenced practice in Mumbai.
Charles Correa in his initial works, tried to blend local cultural values in architecture. Traditional symmetrical spaces, modernist use of materials, exemplary concrete forms and sensitivity towards site were some major characteristics of his work. He always designed buildings complementing the context and landscapes of India.
In the 1960s, Correa started paying attention to urban planning too and designed Navi Mumbai, as an urban center catering to two million people, across the harbour, on the outskirts of Mumbai. Correa, instead of high rise buildings, adopted low-rise solutions. He created spaces in combination with all necessary facilities and generated a sense of community among all his urban projects.
Charles Correa was a promoter of passive techniques in architecture. He discouraged the use of mechanical methods for heating or cooling buildings. Instead of air conditioning, Correa preferred smart shading, intelligent use of building orientation, controlled breeze and methods to enhance the heat absorption abilities of masonry.
He suggested a new living style that he explained as, “using a house in a nomadic way”, that meant using different parts of the house at different times of the day depending upon the passive systems used. These techniques of Correa were not confined to only the houses, but was used for large structures including the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, the British Council in Delhi etc.
He introduced courtyards even in his high-rise residential towers.
Some of his notable buildings and structures are:
· the McGovern Institute for Brain Research in Boston.
· the Kanchanjunga Apartments in Mumbai.
· the Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur.
· the Tube House , Ahmedabad.
· National crafts Museum.
· Bharat Bhavan.
· Champalimaud Centre for The Unknown in Lisbon, Portugal.
· Jawahar Kala Kendra, in Jaipur.
· LIC building, at Connaught Place, New Delhi.
· “Mahatma Gandhi Memorial”, at theSabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad.
· Ismaili Centre,Toronto.
Correa always came up with innovative ideas to improve the cities :
“Our cities are among the greatest things that we have; they are part of the wealth of India. They are places of hope. The skills we need are urban skills – we never have to ask the World Bank to send us an expert because our cities already provide them.”
He founded the Urban Design Research Institute in Mumbai in 1984 to improve the deteriorating built-up environments and living conditions in India.
Charles Correa was awarded the second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan in 2011.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
