And a close examination of the motifs in the city’s architecture show that he took cues from these. His weekend trips to Nangal, Talwara and the Bhakra dam site were as if to seek inspiration from the hinterland. Where work stopped and leisure began is difficult to ascertain, for Pierre spent his free time building boats at the boat club, weaving durries, crafting utilitarian furniture, patio lights, hammocks and lampshades in his garden alongwith Bansi, his cook-cum-helper and close confidante. Pierre embraced the culture of undivided Punjab, the mother state of Chandigarh’s citizens. Gandhi Bhawan, one of the favourite buildings of Pierre Jeanneret where the camera lucida was explored extensively.Īs the Chief Architect, he oversaw the construction of housing, elementary and high schools, colleges, libraries, healthcare and markets for 15 years. He spoke to the contractors, engineers and others through drawings, woodcut and metal models, which led to the development of a strong work ethic in the architecture department that is seen in the form of large-scale wall models of the city in most public buildings, libraries, and institution foyers etc.

and the Gandhi Bhawan which was closest to his heart. In the late afternoons, he would engage in site work and decision making at the Panjab University for the Administration building, the library. Educational buildings with sculptures in brickĭecember 4, marks his 54th death anniversary, and the city with its elements, buildings, signage and elements resonates today the principles of simplicity, eye for detail and modest ingenious solutions that Pierre Jeanneret devised to complex problems.Īs an educator, he led by practice, using his mornings to develop the city fabric alongside the architect couple Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry assisted by a host of Indian architects. Established in 1961, the CCA served as a laboratory to train architects who would carry forward the legacy of modern city planning not only in Chandigarh but new townships in the country.

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