19 Nov 2020
Report on Guest Lecture on Ar.Raj Rewal – Post Modernism
Subject: Contemporary Architecture (History of Architecture-V)
Agenda: Ar. Raj Rewal(Post Modernism)
Speakers: Prof. Ujjal Halder
Platform: Microsoft Team
Dates: 19th November 2020 (11:45am to 12:30pm)
Participants: 60 Students, 5th Semester, School of Architecture
Teachers: Professor Vidya Srikanth
Asso. Prof. Neeraja Jayan
A guest lecture by Prof. Ujjal Halder on famous Post-modernist Architect Raj Rewal was arranged for 5th sem students on 19th November 2020, through MS Teams.
Early post-modernism developed through a criticism of modernism, for being abstract, formal, and inaccessible — for having lost the traditional communicative role of architecture. Post-modern architecture is that architectural style which evolved from middle to late twentieth century, as a response to the perceived failures of the modern movement in architecture. Prof. Ujjal in his lecture, focused on the works of Master Architect Raj Rewal who gave a new definition of post-modernism in Indian context. Raj Rewal is an Indian architect and urban design consultant who studied architecture in New Delhi and London. His humanist approach to architecture responds to the complexities of rapid urbanization. Mr. Rewal’s commitment to housing is also central to his built works.
The concerted juxtaposition of traditional concepts and contemporary arrangement is reflective of his fascination for weaving expressions of heritage and history into a modern vocabulary, often revealing layer upon layer of intuitive interpretation and deep meaning. His works are characterized by a concern for climate sensitivity, humane architecture and the promotion of craftsmanship and technologies.
Prof. Ujjal further explained the two major works of Ar. Raj Rewal- Asian Games Village New Delhi and Lisbon Ismaili Center, Portugal. Asian games village is in New Delhi, India and is a family urban housing project. He was inspired by Jaipur and Jaisalmer’s urban patterns. Constructed in 1982, the Asian Games Village was designed to accommodate the Asian Games athletes, units that would later be sold to the public. The type-based design brief for 500 units in a 35-acre plot was created by an urban pattern of low-rise, high-density development representative of the typical Indian ‘mohalla ’ or community, creating cluster formations ideal for the Indian climate, stepping away from the norm of hitherto seen stereotypical units by introducing variance in scale and elements. The concept is based on arrangement of narrow shaded pedestrian streets sequentially linking clusters, open spaces and commercial and recreational areas. Lisbon Ismaili Centre is influenced by morphology of traditional spatial arrangements of courtyard and concept of paradise gardens and Islamic patterns.
Learning outcome
The students shall be able to understand the characteristics of Post-modernism in Indian context, how it is different from the other parts of world. The student shall also be able to do portfolio sheets on Post-modernism in India and works of Ar. Raj Rewal.
