Humanism as art

Born in 1916, Kanvinde8217;s creative journey has been long and satisfying. As a struggling architect, he was influenced by teachers and their precepts, after he completed his studies at Harvard University in the mid-1940s. But he gradually developed his own path and style. 8220;Every architects8217;s ideology, attitude and perception differs. Although I admired the works of many architects, I never thought of imitating,8221; he says. He is partner in a flourishing Delhi-based firm for more than four decades. Kanvinde is a strong believer in using one8217;s perception for the fulfillment of a purpose and not purely for the self. 8220;Architecture is the synthesis of one8217;s understanding and interpretation. It8217;s a personal effort, backed by the cultivation, development and conviction of the person. Architecture of quality is one that stands the test of time,8221; he opines.

This was also part of his advice to students of architecture who came in full force to attend the open interview conducted by architect Narendra Dengle on Wednesday at the venue. Dengle requested him to talk of his meeting with the famous French architect Le Corbusier, whose work Kanvinde admires immensely. 8220;I didn8217;t know French and he spoke broken English, but nevertheless I asked him about city planning because the space relationships in his designs was fabulous,8221;he says.

Speaking on democracy and architecture and why architects were criticised for not building for the masses. 8220;The democratic system has prevailed only in this century, earlier it was a dictatorship. It is the political will that activates an architect8217;s role. Unfortunately, most political planners have a superficial understanding of design. For instance Pune8217;s assets should be taken into consideration while planning, and the architects, the government officials and the city fathers should sit together to plan the town development,8221; he advises.

Kanvinde is also in favour of different curricula for Indian schools of architecture. He is opposed to a uniform pattern of education when the requirements of one region may not suit another. 8220;For example, Kashmir8217;s alpine regions, Rajasthan8217;s sands, the Eastern earthquake-prone regions demand different styles of structures. There should be more decentralisation,8221; he asserts. What does Kanvinde feel about Vastu Shastra which is fast gaining popularity? 8220;In an urbanised world, Vastu Shastra has limited practicality and it is not possible fulfill its requirements.

quot; If you have a plot with a great view in the west, and since Vastu says the west-facing areas are not healthy, how can one resolve this problem?8221; he says, once again revealing his humanist philosophy. And still true to humanism, the best designed cities of his choice are places where there is life. Kanvinde doesn8217;t believe in building for the sake of building or create spaces which will lose their human appeal with time. 8220;That is why Chandigarh has not done well. I find the older cities more purposeful. In Italy, Sienna and San Manjiano, Jaiselmer in India are self-contained cities,8221; he discloses.