Balkrishna Doshi: Architecture for the People

With the exhibition »Balkrishna Doshi: Architecture for the People«, the Vitra Design Museum presents the first international retrospective about the 2018 Pritzker Prize laureate Balkrishna Doshi (born 1927, Pune, India) outside of Asia.

The renowned architect and urban planner is seen as the most important pioneer of modern architecture of his home country. During over 60 years of practice, Doshi has realized around 100 projects, including pioneering buildings like the Indian »Institute of Management« (1977–92), his own architectural studio »Sangath« (1980), and the low-cost housing project »Aranya« (1989). Inspired by working with masters like Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, Doshi adopted elements of modern architecture and adapted them to local culture, traditions, resources, and nature itself.

The exhibition will present numerous key projects realized between 1958 and 2014, ranging from entire cities and town planning projects to large public buildings, from private residences to interiors. Exhibits will include a wealth of original works such as drawings, models, and art works from Doshi’s archive and studio, but also photography, film footage, and several full-scale installations. An extensive timeline will give an overview of the architect’s career from 1947 until today, attesting to his close relationships with other influential architects and visionaries such as Le Corbusier and Christopher Alexander.

Opening: 29 March 2019, 6 pm