LAWRENCE WILFRED “LAURIE BAKER” – British-Indian Architect influenced by Gandhi ji and his experiences from remote himalayas. His initiatives towards design has changed many ideologies of cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, space management, and bricks.
“BRICKS TO ME ARE LIKE FACES”
The simplicity of design, use of local materials and his frugal efforts for common man are inexplicable. Baker adopted local craftsmanship, traditional techniques and materials but then combined it with modern design principles and technology wherever it made sense to do so. This prudent adoption of modern technology helped local architecture retain its cultural identity and kept costs low due to the use of local materials. It also revived the local economy due to the use of local labour for both construction of the buildings and for manufacture of construction materials such as brick and lime surkhi. Baker also innovated different bonding techniques for bricks, which allowed him to build of half-brick thickness. To add rigidity, many times these walls were designed in a stepped or curved forms.
“I HAVE MY OWN PRINCIPLES WHICH I AM UNWILLING TO ABANDON. I DISLIKE FALSEHOOD AND DECEIT. A BUILDING SHOULD BE TRUTHFUL”
Buildings designed by Baker :
- Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum
- Loyola Chapel and Auditorium, Sreekarayam
- Loyola Graduate women’s hostel, Trivandrum
- St. John’s Cathedral, Tiruvalla
- Nalanda state Institute of Language,Trivandrum
- Chitralekha Film Studio, Trivandrum
- Corpus Christi School, Kottayam
- Nirmithi Kendra, Trivandrum
- A Residential Cooperative, Trivandrum
- Various Residences
20 Design Principles of Laurie Baker.
These 20 Principles of Being and Architect surely inspire all Architects. The passion and patience to build with local material is what every architect should aspire.
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