B V Doshi

Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi (1927–2023) was one of India’s most celebrated architects and urban planners, internationally acclaimed for his humanistic approach to modern architecture. With a career spanning over seven decades, Doshi redefined Indian architecture by blending modernist principles with traditional Indian forms, climatic sensitivity, and a deep concern for social equity. A visionary teacher, thinker, and designer, he was the first Indian to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize (2018), often regarded as the “Nobel Prize of Architecture”.

Early Life and Education

Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi was born on 26 August 1927 in Pune, Maharashtra, into a family of furniture makers. His early exposure to craftsmanship fostered a lifelong appreciation for materiality, proportion, and human scale. He studied at the Sir J. J. School of Architecture, Mumbai, and began his professional journey in a period when India had just gained independence—a time marked by nation-building and cultural reinvention.
In 1951, Doshi moved to Europe and joined Le Corbusier’s atelier in Paris, where he worked on major projects such as the High Court, Secretariat, and the City Museum of Chandigarh. The experience profoundly influenced his understanding of modern architecture, spatial composition, and the power of geometry. Upon returning to India, he supervised Le Corbusier’s projects in Ahmedabad, including the Mill Owners’ Association Building and Shodhan House, bridging European modernism with Indian sensibilities.

Association with Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn

Doshi’s collaboration with Le Corbusier and later with Louis I. Kahn significantly shaped his architectural ideology. Working closely with Le Corbusier, he learned the discipline of form and structure, while Kahn deepened his appreciation for spatial experience, light, and material. Doshi assisted Kahn on the design of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, one of modern India’s most iconic campuses.
However, Doshi gradually evolved his own language—one rooted not only in modernist abstraction but also in Indian ethos, community life, and environmental adaptation. His later works sought to reconcile modern architecture with the country’s social realities and cultural diversity.

Architectural Philosophy

Doshi’s architectural philosophy was characterised by contextual modernism, humanism, and sustainability. He believed that architecture must respond to local climate, social behaviour, and cultural values rather than imitate Western forms.
His key design principles include:

• Climate-Responsive Design: He extensively used courtyards, shading devices, terraces, and natural ventilation to create thermally comfortable environments suitable for India’s varied climates.
• Integration of Tradition and Modernity: Drawing from vernacular Indian architecture, he incorporated elements like stepwells, narrow streets, and shaded pathways into modern layouts.
• Social Responsibility: Doshi’s work often addressed housing for low-income groups, urban equity, and participatory planning. He viewed architecture as a catalyst for social transformation.
• Spatial Experience: His buildings are designed as sequences of spaces that evoke movement, discovery, and interaction rather than static structures.
• Simplicity and Economy: Using locally available materials and cost-effective techniques, he demonstrated that good design need not be expensive.

Major Architectural Works

Doshi’s body of work spans educational institutions, residential projects, cultural centres, and urban housing schemes. Each project reflects his commitment to contextual design and social purpose.

• Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad (1962): One of his earliest independent works, the building reflects modernist geometry and local materials, with deep verandas and shaded spaces suited to the hot climate.
• CEPT University (Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology), Ahmedabad (1966 onwards): Perhaps his most celebrated educational campus, CEPT embodies Doshi’s philosophy of “learning without boundaries.” The open-plan studios, terraces, and courtyards foster collaboration and informal learning.
• Aranya Low-Cost Housing, Indore (1989): Winner of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, this project provided housing for over 80,000 people through a system of incremental development. It allowed residents to customise and expand their homes, creating a vibrant, self-evolving community.
• Life Insurance Corporation Housing, Ahmedabad (1973): A pioneering housing project demonstrating the use of modular design and open spaces to foster community living.
• Amdavad ni Gufa (Ahmedabad, 1995): A subterranean art gallery designed in collaboration with artist M. F. Husain. The organically shaped domes and mosaic-covered roof exemplify Doshi’s experimental spirit and his interest in sculptural, cave-like spaces.
• Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore (1977–1992): Inspired by temple architecture and traditional Indian streetscapes, the campus integrates stone colonnades, courtyards, and interlinked corridors, creating a serene academic environment that encourages dialogue and reflection.
• Sangath (Ahmedabad, 1980): Doshi’s own architectural studio, meaning “moving together” in Sanskrit, is a masterpiece of climatic design. The semi-subterranean structure with vaulted roofs, reflecting pools, and garden terraces serves as both a workplace and a manifesto of his architectural beliefs.

Urban Planning and Social Projects

Beyond individual buildings, Doshi made lasting contributions to urban planning and housing policy in India.

• As founder of the Vastu Shilpa Foundation for Studies and Research in Environmental Design, he promoted research on affordable housing, sustainability, and indigenous urban systems.
• His Aranya Housing model became a global reference for inclusive urban development, combining social equity with participatory design.
• He contributed to planning new townships and educational campuses, including Bhopal, Indore, and Gandhinagar, reflecting his holistic approach to urban growth.

Doshi also served on numerous national committees and advised government bodies on urban issues, always emphasising the importance of human scale, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility.

Awards and Honours

B. V. Doshi received numerous national and international accolades for his monumental contribution to architecture and education:

• Pritzker Architecture Prize (2018): For his “exceptional commitment to the art of architecture and to the betterment of humanity.”
• Padma Shri (1976) and Padma Bhushan (2020) from the Government of India.
• Aga Khan Award for Architecture (1995) for Aranya Housing Project.
• RIBA Royal Gold Medal (2022): Conferred by the Royal Institute of British Architects for lifetime achievement.
• French Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters (2011) and numerous honorary doctorates from international universities.

Teaching and Influence

A devoted educator, Doshi shaped architectural education in India for over five decades. Through CEPT University and the Vastu Shilpa Foundation, he mentored generations of architects, emphasising empathy, ethics, and contextual understanding over stylistic imitation.
He frequently described architecture as a “living organism,” continually adapting to human needs. His lectures and writings explored architecture as a social act rooted in philosophy, rather than mere aesthetics.

Legacy and Impact

Doshi’s legacy lies not only in his architectural creations but also in his vision of architecture as a tool for social change and cultural expression. His approach reconciled modernism with India’s pluralistic traditions, proving that contemporary architecture could be both global and deeply local.
He inspired countless architects to design with empathy, humility, and purpose, challenging the dominance of Western paradigms in postcolonial societies. His projects remain case studies in sustainable and inclusive design.
Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi passed away on 24 January 2023 in Ahmedabad, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy that continues to guide architectural discourse across the world.