Why is Laurie Baker called the conscience keeper of Indian architecture'?
Lawrence Wilfred 'Laurie' Baker, an Indian architect of British origin, is aptly called the conscience keeper of Indian architecture because he added modernity to Indian sense of architecture. He is also known for building affordable, elegant and energy efficient homes in Kerala.
The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) too adopted his eco-friendly, low cost building methods there to provide a clean living environment to the
poor.
The corporation popularly called his designs 'Baker-model hotises'. In Kerala during the 1960s and subsequently, Baker developed and applied an approach to architecture derived from an intimate understanding of the local climate, available building materials and craft skills.
In Thiruvananthapuram, he designed and built Centre for Development Studies (CDS). To build cheaply, he ruthlessly pruned all non-local materials.
Thus, cement plasters were eliminated, while flat concrete slab roofs, window glass and bars were replaced by inventive uses of local bricks, clay tiles, timber and lime.
Window openings were replaced by patterns of small openings (brick jali) in the brick work, providing adequate light and ventilation.
Lawrence Wilfred 'Laurie' Baker, an Indian architect of British origin, is aptly called the conscience keeper of Indian architecture because he added modernity to Indian sense of architecture. He is also known for building affordable, elegant and energy efficient homes in Kerala.
The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) too adopted his eco-friendly, low cost building methods there to provide a clean living environment to the
poor.
The corporation popularly called his designs 'Baker-model hotises'. In Kerala during the 1960s and subsequently, Baker developed and applied an approach to architecture derived from an intimate understanding of the local climate, available building materials and craft skills.
In Thiruvananthapuram, he designed and built Centre for Development Studies (CDS). To build cheaply, he ruthlessly pruned all non-local materials.
Thus, cement plasters were eliminated, while flat concrete slab roofs, window glass and bars were replaced by inventive uses of local bricks, clay tiles, timber and lime.
Window openings were replaced by patterns of small openings (brick jali) in the brick work, providing adequate light and ventilation.