Le Corbusier's work in India had always been a subject of debate amongst us, and the consensus was that he provided modern India with a series of new monuments, paving the way for a new understanding of architectural design. But when I was in the premises again, I could spell out the distinct influence of the vernacular more than that of the monuments in this project.
When discussing the aspects of a 'Monuments' with the students, I used to list the physical characteristics of the Monuments as setting, elevation, scale, symmetry, use of durable materials, cutting edge technology (relevant to the time period) & ornamentation based on the cultural background. The quality of space in and around the monument is the total effect of all these factors.
It was easy to discern most of these factors in the Mill Owners Association building, as the building is set off at a good distance away from the main access, the entrance is directly on the first floor, approached through a large ramp, exposed concrete is used (conceived as the most durable material at the time), and if you can call huge cantilevers & curved roofs in concrete as cutting edge technology of the time, it is all there, striking you as the main feature of the built form.
Ornamentation is conspicuously missing, but that goes with the philosophy of modern architecture as postulated from Adolf Loos to Walter Gropius, and you would not expect it anyway. What you find instead is the conversion of the mundane elements like the hand rail of the ramp converted into an art object, and the security window at first floor has a cantilevered concrete slab projection like a stone block projecting out in a temple.
All these elements notwithstanding, what strikes you primarily is the complete absense of walls on both the front and rear ends of the building, with a series of huge fins in the front and a series of cantilevered slabs in the rear to demarkate the edge of the building. In the rear, this is enhanced by a small gap between the edge of the building and the huge projecting chajjas.
It is my considered opinion that most of the foreign architets who worked in India, had complete understanding of the climatic issues in architectural design, and tried to make their designs compatible to the Indian climate, unlike the irresponsible indian architects who copied the glass-box-form of popular european & american architecture without bothering about the climatic differences.
In the Mill Owners Association building, therefore, what you see is the reflection of the indian vernacular, which is basically a minimal shelter, with proper protection from sun, and a provision of walls where strictly required. The climate is user friendly and you can enjoy the breeze, you need not enclose the building at all. The building has a view of Sabarmati river in the rear side, and all that you need is just an opening to enjoy the view. A small informal space is provided here like a platform around a tree, and you do not need any other piece of furniture.
In the lobbies too, the seats are made from concrete, and are as stark as the temple platforms, the only possible diference is the ornamentation. All this is a direct reflection of the minimalist approach of the indian vernacular. The ambience is that of a place of contemplation, a simple, uncluttered space, very much like the traditional house Gandhiji lived in on the banks of Sabarmati. Whether Corbusier did this deliberately or was influenced by the european minimalist tradition is a debatable issue.
After the visit I went to meet Mr. Abhinav Shukla, Secretary General of the Mill Owners Association, to convey my thanks for allowing us to visit the building & the premises without a prior appointment. He is a good natured person and insisted that we write our comments in the visitors book about the building and its future. I promised him I would write a blog instead, and kept wondering about the expectations of the present ruling elite & the image of Corbusier's building. The current image of Ahmadabad is a direct reflection of the aspirations of the elite class with McDonald outlets, Malls & Multiplexes with a large glass & aluminium expanse-a typical indian version of an american downtown area.
All this is in direct contrast to the stark character of Corbusier's building which is more in line with Gandhiji's philosophy of simple living. Gandhiji put a concept of trustee-ship, wherein the Owners of the Mills would be acting as trustees of public money and are expected to live a spartan life and lead the society by their own example.
We have come a long way from the spirit of the Gandhian philosophy, and all that Corbusier's design stands for is a part of history we may not like to remember now. I would not be surprised if there is a demand in future for pulling down the building in favour of a fully air-conditioned glass-enclosed skyscraper, with plush interiors (with so called cutting edge design). But we need to conserve this building in its present state as a monument to the Gandhian philosophy, to retain some sense of purpose in this globalised maddening world of today.
We have come a long way from the spirit of the Gandhian philosophy, and all that Corbusier's design stands for is a part of history we may not like to remember now. I would not be surprised if there is a demand in future for pulling down the building in favour of a fully air-conditioned glass-enclosed skyscraper, with plush interiors (with so called cutting edge design). But we need to conserve this building in its present state as a monument to the Gandhian philosophy, to retain some sense of purpose in this globalised maddening world of today.
