HUNDREDHANDS

Kanasu, a home near Nandi Hills is featured in Buildofy's book 10 Homes Bengaluru curated by Mr. Sanjay Mohe. More about the book here.

Thank you Girish for that incredible presentation and for the conversation. You wear your erudition and expertise so lightly. Thank you for coming to Bangalore, bringing the exhibition and making the presentation. And thank you Sadhana too for coming with Girish.

Having known BV Doshi, the Pritzker Laureate and master architect, I have always felt that Girish carries the same spirit in him. Like Doshi, Girish is a complete family man - in the sense that he absorbs all who spend time with him into the sphere of his family. He has been instrumental in making many successful matches, one young couple is here with us this evening, and seems to be always on the lookout for suitable prospects. His office in Pune is a refuge and is the place where young students and practitioners come, not just for academic or professional help, but to also sort out their personal affairs, clear deep existential crises, or drag him out to Roopali or Vaishali for tea. Girish never says no!

Like Doshi, Girish is also the consummate architect. His self effacing and light persona bely the precision and discipline embedded in those incredible plans. Spatially, these rigorous mathematical diagrams seem to transcend their strict rhythms and are full of experientially rich variation and quality. Colin Rowe once said that there were two kinds of architects - plan people and section people. Girish muddles these distinctions and the projects can be appreciated both as distilled or pure plans organised on a clear system of grids and articulated sections with wonderful variations in the ground plane, multiple perches for vantage and evoking memories of tight inner city houses. But most importantly, it is his ability to convince that makes him most like his mentor. What is really striking about the exhibition is the rigour and riyaz in the work. Here is a body of work that is consistent; it is searching for the ideal. And that search is irrespective of the conditions in which the work is made. Here is an artist/architect, seeking that purity.

And finally like Doshi, Girish is a natural teacher. Being with him is a complete education in how to conduct oneself in life, with humility, great generosity and most importantly. wonderful humour.

Recording here.

With the passing of Shankar Sir on the 6th of December this year, one year after his brother Navnath, almost to the day, we have now lost two of our most incandescent teachers. At the heart of much of their work are values that have all but disappeared from architecture today – of frugality, playfulness, and the deeply political idea that all of us deserve to have a joyful place to live irrespective of our stations in life.  

Dr. Mamatha P. Raj is stepping down as Director of the College of Architecture, Design and Planning at BMS after 20 years at the helm.

The department has grown from strength to strength under her leadership gaining nationwide recognition and accolades. She has been conferred the title of Professor Emeritus and will continue to serve on the Board of Governors.

Peter Stutchbury at Sabha.