Charles Correa

Charles Correa
Born	(1930-09-01) September 1, 1930 Secunderabad, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Architect

Jawahar Kala Kendra, designed by Charles Correa, in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Charles Correa (born September 1, 1930) is an Indian architect, planner and activist.

Early life

Charles Correa, (in full Charles Mark Correa, born September 1, 1930, Secunderabad, India), Indian architect and urban planner known for adapting Modernist tenets to local climates and building styles. In the realm of urban planning, he is particularly noted for his sensitivity to the needs of the urban poor and for his use of traditional methods and materials.

Correa began his studies at Saint Xavier’s College at the University of Bombay (now Mumbai), and he went on to study at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (1949–53) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1953–55). In 1958 he established his own Bombay-based professional practice.

Career

Charles Correa is a major figure in contemporary architecture around the world. With his extraordinary and inspiring designs, he has played a pivotal role in the creation of an architecture for post-Independence India . All of his work - from the carefully detailed memorial Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Museum at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to Kanchanjunga Apartment tower in Mumbai, the Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, the planning of Navi Mumbai, MIT'S Brain and Cognitive Sciences Centre in Boston, and most recently, the Champalimad Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon, places special emphasis on prevailing resources, energy and climate as major determinants in the ordering of space.

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, at the Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad

Over the last four decades, Correa has done pioneering work in urban issues and low cost shelter in the Third World. From 1970-75, he was Chief Architect for New Bombay an urban growth center of 2 million people, across the harbor from the existing city. In 1985, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi appointed him Chairman of the National Commission on Urbanization.

In 1984, he founded the prestigious Urban Design Research Institute in Bombay which to this day is dedicated to the protection of the built environment and improvement of urban communities. He also designed the distinctive buildings of National Crafts Museum, New Delhi (1975–1990), Bharat Bhavan Bhopal, British Council, Delhi. (1987–92).

2005-2008 he was Chairman of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission. In 2008 he resigned his commission as the head of Delhi Urban Arts Commission.

On 18th December 2011, the eve of the Golden Jubiliee of Goa's Liberation, Charles Correa was bestowed with Goa's highest civilian honour, the Gomant Vibhushan.

Current projects

LIC building, at Connaught Place, New Delhi, designed by Charles Correa, 1986

Charles Correa is currently working on several projects worthy of note. Of particular significance is the new Ismaili Centre in Toronto, Canada that is to be located in the midst of formal gardens and surrounded by a large park designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. It will share the site with the Fumihiko Maki designed Aga Khan Museum.

A project that has recently been completed is The Champalimaud Foundation Centre in Lisbon which was inaugurated on October 5, 2010 by the Portuguese President, Cavaco Silva.

Awards

• RIBA Royal Gold Medal - 1984.
• His acclaimed design for McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT was dedicated recently.
• Padma Vibhushan (2006) and Padma Shri (1972).

References

3. From Penguin book jacket for 'A Place in the Shade'

Further reading

• Post Colonial India and its Architecture - I: Charles Correa - The Traditional in the Modern

External links

• Charles Correa Associates – Official web site of the Mumbai based architect. Extensive project descriptions with photographs, biography and bibliography.
• Charles Correa - Photo Gallery at BBC Radio 3
• Charles Mark Correa Biography
• Link to Art & Design webpage
• Link to Jose Campos’ website