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Before immersing ourselves in the vibrant world of Indian architecture, one must focus on two principles that generally distinguish Eastern architecture. The first principle has ancient roots dating back to around five centuries before Christ, associated with Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu’s interpretation of space: “The reality of the building does not consist of the roof and walls, but the space within to be lived”. The space Tzu refers to translates into the “void” found in nearly all forms of Eastern art. This void ultimately represents what Frank Lloyd Wright identified as an essential component of organic architecture. Bruno Zevi dubbed Wright the genius of the spatial continuum. As in architecture typical of Eastern culture, neither volumes nor façades exist in Wright’s architecture; nor do the typical perspective hierarchies of the Renaissance. Instead, as Zevi recalls, “the internal spaces are projected, and the external spaces magnetized and sucked in”.
The second principle inherent to Eastern architecture highlights its vernacular aspect, reflecting a deep desire to evoke local cultural traditions through a variety of architectural elements. This characteristic is aligned with architecture that adapts to the evolving needs of humanity across different eras and cultural contexts. Humanity’s earliest constructions often consisted of makeshift shelters, temporary spaces that lasted for just a few days or perhaps a season, designed solely for protection. Despite advancements in construction techniques over the years, the lifespan of a building is typically much shorter than a human life. Today, the concept of vernacular architecture intertwines with the revival of a millennia-old construction tradition, in which buildings reveal their structural honesty while also embodying the identity and indigenous character of a people – something that contemporary architecture often...
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The Architectures of Diversity
Durganand Balsavar
The editorial “Architectures of Diversity: Reinterpreting Practices in the Indian Subcontinent” by Durganand Balsavar...
Architecture as Gift Exchange
Peter Rich Architects
Introduction by the editor Peter Rich titled “Architecture as an Exchange of Gifts: Standing on the Shoulders of Past Generations.”...
a for architecture
a for architecture
a for architecture designs two villas in Nashik, Maharashtra state, India...
