Architect Balkrishna Doshi, popularly known as B.V. Doshi, has become the first Indian to win the $100,000 Pritzker Architecture Prize, which is touted as the Nobel Prize of Architecture.
Doshi, 90, is known for his work in low-cost housing, and the Pritzker jury in its citation said the architect was known for his serious work. Calling his work "high-quality, authentic architecture" the jury said Doshi has shown a sense of responsibility and a desire to contribute to the welfare of his people through his creations.
The jury further said: “Doshi is acutely aware of the context in which his buildings are located. His solutions take into account the social, environmental and economic dimensions, and therefore his architecture is totally engaged with sustainability.”
Some of the iconic structures created by Doshi include the Indian Institute of Management in Bengaluru, the Indian Institute of Management in Lucknow, New Delhi’s National Institute of Fashion Technology and Aranya Low Cost Housing complex in Indore.
Doshi responded to the honor saying it was significant the award has come to India. “The government, officials, those who take decisions, cities – everyone will start thinking that there is something called ‘good architecture’ [and that] lasting things can happen. [Only] then can we start talking about urbanization and urban design,” he told CNN.
Doshi dedicated his prize to his guru Le Corbusier, who is credited for designing the city of Chandigarh.
Doshi told NPR: “For me, the best lessons ever given by Le Corbusier was by drawing on my table — he was sitting on the table and drawing with me. So he was showing me how people would move, how they would go, how the birds would fly through the buildings, how you would see nature, landscapes. And when he drew a sketch of a tree, you could see the tree moving. And I think those experiences have stayed with me, and connected me to my childhood and my family and my life.”
Doshi will be presented with the honour at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto in May.
Kulsuma Aktergetty images