Posts

Showing posts from August, 2020

Achyut Kanvinde-The Functionalist Architect

Image
  Achyut P. Kanvinde (1916 –2002), the Indian architect with functionalist approaches with elements of Brutalist architecture. He was born in Achra, in Konkan region of Maharashtra in 1916. He believed that a grid of columns forming a matrix giving structural and spatial aspect would turn a design more sophisticated and faceted. ·        1935: Studied architecture under Claude Batley in Sir J. J School of Arts ·        1945: Completed Masters from Harvard, student of Walter Gropius (Thesis on Science Laboratories) ·        1947: Chief Architect of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) ·        1955: Formed Kanvinde and Rai LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS ·         1976: Received the Padma Shree ·         1974-75: Became the president of IIA (Indian Institute of Architects) ·         1985: Winner of IIA “Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal” ·         1993: Awarded the Great Masters Award from JK Industries Ltd ·         Part of the jury on the competition for Indira

Art Deco

Image
Style Moderne, popular as the “Art Deco” movement was based on visual arts, architecture and  design, first appeared in France just before World War I. This movement influenced the buildings, furniture, jewellery, fashion, cars, movies theatres, trains and everyday objects. Art Deco was a blend of modern styles, fine craftsmanship and rich materials which represented luxury, glamour and exuberant faith in social and technological progress. Rich colours, bold geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation marked the style. The rise of new materials and technologies gave way for this style, especially reinforced concrete. With the discovery of the use of a mesh of iron rods in concrete to strengthen it and use it to build various buildings, Art Deco started to flourish as it was easier to make different forms with concrete. ART DECO TIMELINE ·        1920s- The style was first applied to public and commercial buildings. It was rarely used to designed  individual homes but the style adap