Charles Correa

• Charles Correa was born on September 1, 1930 in

Secunderabad, Telangana.

• This well known architect and urban planner was

famous for applying modernist design principles
of contemporary times to local climates and
building styles.
 Tube House Kanchenjunga Apartments Bharat Bhavan Jawahar Kala Kendra

1962 1974 1982 1991

1963 1982 1983

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial CIDADE DE GOA Belapur housing

 Critical Regionalism is an approach to encounter the • Critical Regionalism is not just to replicate vernacular
lack of identity of International style, but also rejects architecture or traditional architecture but it seeks
the ornamentation approach of Postmodernism. answer through traditional or vernacular architecture in
modern context.
• Charles Correa’s approach to critical regionalism can be
defined in site planning principles, climatic consideration,
cultural context, appropriate use of local building materials.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
1. REJECTING THE USE OF GLASS INCREMENTALITY

He rejected the glass-and-steel approach of some  To give each unit its own site to allow for expansion
post-modernist buildings, and focused on designs deeply rooted
in local cultures, all the while providing modern structural PARTICIPATION
solutions under his creative designs. Consequently, families do not share walls with their neighbours,
allowing each to expand
2. BUILDING ‘OPEN TO SKY’ SPACES
PLURALISM
His style was also focused on reintroducing outdoor spaces and
Several plans exist that cover the social spectrum. From squatters to
terraces .
upper income families

3. USE OF SYMBOLISM AND VISUAL METAPHORS EQUITY (FAIRNESS)

Yet, the footprint of each plan varies little in size Maintaining equity
4. VISION FOR LOW-COST HOUSING (fairness) in the community.
3.Use of Symbolism and Visual Metaphors

The buildings explains beautifully the philosophy

of simplicity from the life of Gandhi.

• Correa’s buildings are frequently conceptually

driven. The Gandhi Smarak, a memorial museum
that houses the curated writings of Gandhi, consists
of a series of self-contained modular units and
pathways, that together represent the idealized
version of the Indian village, so central to the
Gandhian imagination.

• Correa’s designs, therefore, reinterpret ancient

Indian traditional knowledge, and cast
symbolism, in innovative forms.

Courtyards
Gandhi Smarak,
BHARAT BHAVAN
Built into a hillside which slopes down toward
a lake, a series of terraces and courtyards
comprise the complex.

Upon entering, the visitor has the choice of

following the path of terraces cascading down
to the lake, or descending to the three
courtyards which provide access to the
majority of the cultural facilities.
JAWAHAR KALA KENDRA.
CONCEPT:

Correa’s plan for the Kendra invokes directly the original Navagraha or nine
house mandala. One of the squares is pivoted to recall the original city plan and
also to create the entrance.

The plan of Jaipur city based on the nine square Yantra in which one square is
displaced and two central squares combined. the squares is defined by 8m high
wall, symbolic of the fortification wall along the Jaipur old city
• https://youtu.be/uzK86VPXUs8