Pitching Corbusier centre for tourists, researchers, historians

“The centre will be developed as a research centre. And, for that purpose, all the memorabilia, be it the letters, or the work of the architect, need to be put up for proper display for the visitors to understand his role and contribution in building up the city,” says Deepika Gandhi, from Chandigarh College of Architecture, Sector 12, who recently took over as director, Corbusier Centre.

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The research centre will showcase books, maps, works, architectural models and designs of Corbusier which went into the planning of Chandigarh.

Apart from upgrading the facilities, Gandhi stresses that the building of the museum also needs to be refurbished to give it a proper look. “We are in talks with the Department of Urban Planning for some structural changes and maintenance of the building. We also plan to set up a cafeteria here,” she says.

A meeting will soon be held with senior officers of the administration and UT Tourism Department to discuss proposals for the maintenance and upgradation of the centre.

Talking to Newsline, Director (Tourism) Kavita Singh says, “The proposals for making a museum and a cafeteria at the Le Corbusier Centre in Sector 19 are in the pipeline. The restoration work is under process and in another two months, everything will be in place.”

Situated in Sector 19, the Le Corbusier Centre was inaugurated in 2009. Once Corbusier’s office, the building now has over 200 photographs, documents and paintings showcasing the making of the city.