Critical Regionalism

An account of critical regionalism in diverse
building types in postcolonial Indian

architecture
-Sanyam Bahga, Gaurav Raheja
Richa N. 032
Introduction
• Critical regionalism is an approach to architecture that strives to counter the placelessness and
lack of identity of the International Style, but also rejects the whimsical individualism and
ornamentation of Postmodern architecture.
Following are the points identified for Functions identified for Regionalist projects
regionalist architectural projects on
post colonial India: 1. Cultural Institutions
1. Context-specific Architecture 2. Housing
2. Historical knowledge 3. Higher Education and Research
3. Climatic responsiveness 4. Primary and secondary education
4. Materiality 5. Hospitality sector
5. Ecology and landscape
6. Religious Institutes
6. Social and cultural
appropriateness 7. Offices
7. Technology 8. Government Buildings
9. Health care
10. Industrial
11. Retail and commerce
Cultural Institution
Jawahar kala Kendra India International Centre, New Delhi

Chares correa Joseph Allen Stein
Jawahar KalaKendra,Correa's design has been shaped by the 18th
Building materials such as local stone, reinforced concrete and
century plan of the Jaipur walled-city which in turn was based on
the ancient Hindu diagram of vastu-purusha mandala. So,the burnt-clayscreens in their natural finishes allowing them to grace
Kendra's plan has been divided into nine squares, with each elegantly in sync with the surrounding landscape.
square corresponding to a different planet and houses Architectural elements are used in such a way that it helps in
functions a into the behavior of the respective planet as per climate of delhi.
Hindu mythology (Thus,Correa's design is able to invoke two
historical layers at once.
Education
Indian Institute of Management The yellow train , Coimbatore

Bangalore
- Chitra Vishwanath
-Balkrishna Doshi
Balkrishna Doshi's Indian Institute of The Yellow Train School(2013)in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu by Chitra Vishwanath is a
Management Bangalore derived its inspiration primary school constructed using compressed-earth-blocks as the main
from the courtyards of Fatehpur Sikri) construction material(Figure12). The ground floor of the school is placed
whereby laying different building programmes 1.5mbelowtheroadlevelandthesoilprocuredfrom digging the site is utilized for
asymmetrically around a sequence of making the compressed earth blocks used in the superstructure(ArchDaily,2015).
courtyards, squares and pedestrian streets Located in a tropical hot-humid climatic zone, plenty of windows and wall
(Figure 7). Rough-hewn blocks of local granite perforations are provided in the walls to facilitate air flow. Furthermore, the play
stone having greyish color are used areas have been incorporated within the building to allow students to use them
throughout the institute uniting the complex evenduring the hottest hours of the day. The architect has used arches for
into a whole. structural support in order to scaled own the interiors for children as a clear
height of three meters was necessitated by the building bye-laws.
Housing
Tara Group Housing, New Delhi Yamuna Apartments, New Delhi by

(1978) by Charles Correa Ranjit Sabikhi
The Tara Group Housing by Charles Correa at New Delhi The Yamuna Apartment in New Delhi designed by Ranjit Sabikhi
consists of 160 double storey units clustered around a consist of 200 units placed a long four radially- converging
central landscaped space Running water has been added pedestrian streets while the vehicular traffic is limited to the
to the mix of lawn, paving and trees in this central space periphery of the site(Figure 5). These pedestrian streets allow
to regulate the micro-climate of the housing complex. communal interaction between the residents as living room
Large overhangs have been provided to further mitigate balconies and semi-private areas of each unit open towards these
the harsh hot and dry climate of New Delhi.
streets. The pedestrian streets converge on acentral square where
recreation facilities arel ocated to emulatean Indian village square

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An account of critical regionalism in diverse

building types in postcolonial Indian

-Sanyam Bahga, Gaurav Raheja

Jawahar kala Kendra India International Centre, New Delhi

Indian Institute of Management The yellow train , Coimbatore

Tara Group Housing, New Delhi Yamuna Apartments, New Delhi by

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