5 Architectural Delights From Charles Correa

Charles Correa, who passed away on June 16, was widely considered as India's greatest architect and “master of Indian modernism”. Correa preferred traditional methods and materials and “open-to-skies” spaces. As an architect, he has built office buildings, low-cost homes for low income urban families, churches, museums and other institutions. But, he looked down on skyscrapers, because he felt that they are not in sync with India's geography, climate and needs. In developing modern architecture in India after Independence, his role was central. The Royal Institute of British Architects awarded him the Royal Gold Medal in 1984 and named him “India's greatest architect” in 2013.

Let us look at some of his contributions to architecture in India and abroad:

The LIC building at Connaught Place: The LIC building at Connaught place was designed by Charles Correa in 1986. The LIC building is considered the only landmark that gives a sense of direction in Connaught Place. The external walls are clad with red Agra sandstone, with a glass façade and a space frame structure.

Champalimaud Centre for the unknown was built in Lisbon, Portugal, for people grappling with brain damage, cancer and blindness. (Photo credit: Wikimedia)

Champalimaud Centre for The Unknown: Champalimaud Centre for the unknown was built in Lisbon, Portugal, for people grappling with brain damage, cancer and blindness. It is built on a site where river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Centre was built to facilitate biomedical research activities in Portugal. Charles Correa said that it was built using the highest level of scientific methodologies.

The City Centre Mall in Kolkata is spread over five acres. (Photo credit: Wikimedia)

City Centre Mall, Kolkata: The City Centre Mall in Kolkata is considered one of the few exquisitely designed malls in India. Among the malls in Kolkata, the City Centre Mall has the largest number of food outlets. The colors and the contrast between them is seen to be built in a way that the space radiates energy. This is spread over five acres and has a space of 4.5 lakh sq ft.

Charles Correa's tube house in Ahmedabad (Picture Credit: bbc.co.uk)

Tube House, Ahmedabad: "Tube" house in Ahmedabad won first prize in an All-India competition for low-cost housing. These are row houses that provide high density without compromising on the size of living spaces. There are no doors inside the units.

The traditional South Indian home in Koramangala (Picture Credit: http://www.e-architect.co.uk/)

Koramangala Home: This is a traditional South Indian home with a courtyard. The courtyard acts as the central focus, bringing in enough sunlight and ventilation. This is in stark contrast with bungalows built by Britishers in India. 

Kanchanjunga apartments are high rise units that shields people from sunlight and rains (Picture Credit: Charles Correa Associates)

Kanchanjunga Apartments, Mumbai: These are 32 luxury apartments that take into account the climactic conditions and growing urbanization in Mumbai. To shield the high rise units from sunlight and monsoon rains, Correa gave towers relatively deep, garden verandas, suspended in the air.