Indian archetypes - institutional architecture in India

Architectural Review, The, May, 1995 by Gautam Bhatia

Evaluation of institutional architecture has a singular timeliness. It comes at a time when a nation burdened by financial debt and an uncertain public legacy is seeking less expensive indigenous options. Despite such attitudes, it is obvious that a demonstration of technique, idea and craft skills can be best applied to buildings of a public nature in which the architect's role becomes that of an aesthetic lobbyist, inculcating a new set of public values in the design.

In this respect, recent institutional buildings sponsored by State and Central Government and built by private architects establish a standard unmatched in the country. Moreover, it is only these structures that can effectively reverse the public attitude of indifference to architecture and instead promote a larger appreciation of the man-made environment.