TRENDS IN ARCHITECTURE: KERALA CONTEXT
Kerala is known for its rich architectural heritage– from traditional wooden architecture, to the works of great colonial architects like Robert Chisholm, buildings of master architect Laurie Baker and a few buildings by Charles Correa and Joseph Allen Stein. The traditional wooden architecture of Kerala was a direct outcome of addressing the elements of climate. Protecting the wall from heavy rain and harsh sun led to the need of high- pitched roofs, the high humidity and need for cross ventilation led to the extensive use of courtyards, semi- open pavilions, verandas and extensive use of wooden jalis. The structural properties of wood were a key aspect in determining the proportions of the buildings, always limiting them to human scale. And if one looks at traditional building complexes in Kerala they are usually a mix of individual buildings of different periods and styles, developed incrementally over the years by additions and modifications. One can see in them, an indefinite number of influences from different cultures, but always adapting them to suite our climate.
When Robert Chisholm was asked to design Napier Museum in Trivandrum, he had the challenge of designing a new typology of public building in Kerala and adapting it to the climate and culture of the place. He was inspired by the basic climatic principles of traditional architecture and was able to reinterpret them with new materials and architectural language, than just merely imitating traditional buildings. Laurie Baker also had a deep understanding of traditional architecture and reinvented the basic principle using new and affordable materials to create eco- friendly and sustainable buildings. He was also convinced that good or bad design had nothing to do with a particular style of architecture, but that it had only to do with honesty and truth in the choice of materials and the method of using them. The Centre for Development Studies in
Trivandrum, the project that is the most representative of Baker’s architecture, resembles a traditional building complex, in the use of courtyards of different sizes, human scale of the buildings and in the overall organic layout of the campus, but realized using new materials and construction techniques.
As an architect working in Kerala, I was aware of these buildings from different periods and styles of architecture. Looking at them, one had an early realization that, styles in architecture was never static but ever changing, with the great constant of climate acting as the backdrop. And I believe as an architect, one should be able to constantly adapt to the ever changing needs, new materials, typology and scale of buildings, than getting trapped in a particular style or trend in architecture. Today, the scale and typology of public institutions have drastically changed. Looking at traditional architecture cannot give complete answers to the present problems, even though it can give lessons on dealing with the climate in a more sustainable manner. The questions faced by an architect working on public institutions today is about, how to reinvent a new typology of building and to adapt it to our climate and culture?
How to humanize the otherwise a large scale building? How to integrate principles of energy conservation and sustainability in larger developments, which will have a bigger impact on environment? And how to create good public spaces and infrastructure?
Over the last forty years, we have tried to address these
issues through our practice. And the major focus of our practice was in creating good public spaces – whether it be good healthcare facilities or educational campuses, workplaces or public libraries, religious building or cultural complexes, convention facilities or sport facilities, hospitality projects or housing projects, master planning or infrastructure projects. And every typology of project demands a separate approach because of the differing backgrounds of site and function. In our educational campuses our focus was in creating inspiring learning spaces, trying to create interesting spill over spaces which will encourage learning beyond class rooms. In healthcare projects we have tried to create a pleasant experience of movement for the user by careful planning of otherwise complex circulation and services. In high- rise building and large span structures, our focus was in exploring different structural systems to make them both aesthetically appealing and cost- effective. In larger master plan projects we have always taken an ecosystem approach to minimize the environmental impacts.
I have a strong conviction that an architect should have the courage to push the limits of his profession and experiment continuously, in using new materials, trying out different structural systems and ways of construction. And he should also have a thorough understanding of building services, to make it an integral part of the design, always incorporating possible sustainable features which will make the services environmental- friendly. In the present times, the link between individual buildings and infrastructure, and the experience of moving from one place to another is also as important as the buildings themselves. And an architect’s ability to relate his buildings to the larger context is very important. Architects should be interested in the larger vision for future developments, which will have a direct impact on the quality of life of people, than just individual buildings or any style of architecture.