When the young architect Balkrishna Doshi, deeply attuned to Indian sensibilities and climate, collaborated with Le Corbusier, the leading force behind brutalist architecture, they bridged Eastern traditions and Western modernism, creating a landmark moment in architectural history.

Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, believed that design should be utilitarian or functional. He rejected the ornamentation of Art Nouveau for its lack of functionality, embracing the streamlined forms of industrial machines instead. This shift set the stage for a modern architecture movement, making him a leading influence in the Brutalist style of the 1950s and 1960s, defined by simple streamlined shapes and exposed concrete construction.

Balkrishna Doshi, who admired Le Corbusier as both a guru and an acrobat, shared a dedication to functional design. Doshi played a key role in blending traditional Indian architectural principles with international modern design. This fusion redefined the landscape of Indian cities and continues to inspire architects worldwide.

Encounter in Paris

After 1947, as post-independent India navigated rapid urbanization, social change, and acceleration toward a market economy, all while searching for its national identity, modernism became the predominant design mode in the architectural landscape. For Le Corbusier, the task of designing the master plan for Chandigarh, the capital city of Punjab, at the request of India’s new leaders, meant an opportunity to transform Chandigarh into a symbol of modernity.

Despite modernism’s popularity, some architects preferred local materials, indigenous craftsmanship, and pre-colonial motifs. Doshi, a pioneer of modern architecture in India, championed the blending of Indian traditions with Western modernism.

After hearing of Le Corbusier’s commissions in India, and upon invitation, Doshi went to work in his Paris studio starting in 1951. Doshi’s understanding of India’s geographical diversity, culture, and varied weather conditions, such as monsoons and heatwaves, influenced the planning of the new city, residential areas, and open spaces. Upon returning to India in 1954, Doshi helped oversee some of Le Corbusier’s projects in Chandigarh and Ahmedabad.

These projects illustrate the legacy of Doshi and Le Corbusier’s collaboration, advancing modernist architecture in India and setting a precedent for integrating local environments and cultural contexts in design. Doshi absorbed invaluable lessons from this experience that later influenced his own practice. He integrated European modernist ideas with local cultural and climatic conditions, marking the beginnings of architectural modernism in India.

Shared Projects and Architectural Legacy

Chandigarh was a notable project which is a testament to their partnership. Other endeavors that were part of the collaboration included the Punjab High Court and Villa Sarabhai. In Ahmedabad, their joint work produced iconic structures like the Institute of Indology, which helped launch Le Corbusier’s prolific career. Raised on a platform, its concrete structure exemplifies Brutalism, but adapted to the hot Gujarati climate by using perforated façades for airflow and brises-soleil to block the sun.

Doshi’s expertise in Indian culture and design was crucial in shaping these landmarks, making them both innovative and culturally relevant. He integrated modernist principles with local contexts to create harmonious designs that suited India’s cultural and climatic needs.

Design Philosophy and Urban Planning Innovations

Doshi and Le Corbusier’s design philosophy emphasized creating functional and socially responsive architecture that interweaves sustainability and innovation. For example, key urban planning advances they championed include modular construction, open-plan layouts, and the integration of green spaces. These elements aimed to enhance the quality of life and promote environmental sustainability.

A key aspect of Doshi and Le Corbusier’s design philosophy was their emphasis on human-scale design, ensuring that urban environments were accessible, inclusive, and responsive to people’s needs. They believed that architecture should promote social equity by considering the diverse socioeconomic realities of communities.

With an approach that had deep roots in sustainable development principles, including integration of green spaces and design strategies that make use of local materials, they helped shape a vision for sustainable architecture and construction that continues to influence designers today.

Impact on Indian Architecture and Beyond

Doshi’s professional journey under Le Corbusier’s mentorship laid a strong foundation in understanding space, form, light, and ventilation, which he adapted to Indian climatic and cultural contexts. This synthesis of modernist principles with local sensibilities is evident in Doshi’s projects, notably in his designs for CEPT University.

The architectural language developed through this collaboration was further expanded in Doshi’s founding of the School of Architecture at CEPT University, pivotal for architectural education in India. In addition to the innovative architectural approaches from this collaboration, Doshi’s philosophy as an educator promoted practical engagement and a multidisciplinary approach, continuing to shape urbanism and sustainability discourse.

Cultural Exchange and Mutual Influence

Doshi’s initial projects in India reflected Le Corbusier’s modernist influence, particularly the Brutalist expression punctuated by bold colors, streamlined shapes, and raw concrete. However, as Doshi’s design philosophy evolved, he adapted these principles to suit Indian conditions, creating more accessible spaces and incorporating local materials.

It’s important to note that Le Corbusier’s influence extended beyond architectural style, inspiring Doshi to embrace a broader philosophical approach to architecture. This included prioritizing space, form, and natural surroundings while remaining sensitive to cultural and climatic contexts.

Le Corbusier learned from Doshi, as well, particularly in terms of adapting modernist principles to India’s unique culture, climate, and society. Doshi’s deep understanding of Indian culture helped Le Corbusier incorporate modernist and brutalist elements into his plans, while making them more culturally relevant and responsive to local needs.

Legacy and Recognition

The collaboration between Balkrishna Doshi and Le Corbusier transcended geographical boundaries and cultural differences, earning numerous honors and accolades, including prestigious awards and an UNESCO World Heritage designation for the Capitol Complex at Chandigarh.

Doshi was honored with the  Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2018, becoming the first Indian recipient of this “Nobel Prize of Architecture.” He also received the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Royal Gold Medal in 2022 and was named an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government in 2011 for his contributions to arts and architecture. He also was distinguished with the Padma Bhushan in 2020, and posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second- highest civilian award in India.

Le Corbusier received the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor in 1964, one of France’s highest honors. In 1961, he was awarded the Frank P. Brown Medal by the Franklin Institute for his contributions to science and engineering, and the AIA Gold Medal by the American Institute of Architects. Additionally, he received the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Royal Gold Medal in 1953, recognizing his lifetime achievements in architecture.

Continued Relevance and Future Prospects

Doshi and Le Corbusier’s principles offer solutions to contemporary architectural and urban planning challenges. Their approach to urbanization, combining modernist techniques with local sensibilities and prioritizing sustainability and social equality, can guide today’s architects in creating inspiring structures for all.

Opportunities for future collaborations inspired by their work include incorporating passive design strategies and green infrastructure, human-centered architecture, and socially inclusive designs. Their work also inspires innovative housing solutions and community-driven projects to address urbanization challenges.

The collaboration between Doshi and Le Corbusier established time- tested principles for today’s architects to create resilient, equitable, and sustainable built environments that cater to evolving societal needs and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future.