2. INTRODUCTION
Born in Hyderabad, India in 1930.
Studied at the University of Michigan and
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Established a private practice in Bombay in 1958.
Work in India - development, understanding and
adaptation of Modernism to non-western culture.
Attempt to explore a local vernacular within a
modern environment.
Emphasis on prevailing resources, energy and
climate as major determinants in ordering of space.
‘Open-to-sky-space’ pervasive theme in his
architecture
Charles Correa 2
3. ACHIEVEMENTS
Pioneering work in urban issues and low cost
shelter in the Third World.
Appointed Chairman of the National Commission on
Urbanization in 1985.
Founded the Urban Design Research Institute in
Bombay - dedicated to protection of built
environment & improvement of urban communities
in 1984.
An international lecturer and traveller, awarded the
RIBA Royal Gold Medal in 1984, the Aalto Medal,
UIA Gold Medal in 1990, Aga Khan award for
architecture, Praemium Imperiale of Japan
Padma Shree (1972) and Padma Vibhushan (2006)
Charles Correa 3
4. TUBE HOUSING
First ‘Tube House’ developed in 1962, in
Ahmadabad, due to the climatic conditions there.
Complete anti-thesis of his ‘open-to-sky’ concept.
Narrow dwelling, 12’ wide.
Sloped roofs and vents situated at the point of
intersection, barely open to sky.
To shield the house in the heat of the
day, protecting inner volume from the sun.
Charles Correa 4
5. Each unit shaped so that hot-air rises up and
escapes from top – venturi effect
Sets convection currents of natural ventilation
No doors, windows; privacy created by various
levels
Pergola grid over internal courtyard for security
Charles Correa 5
6. OPEN-TO-SKY CONCEPT
Can make a decisive difference between livable
habitat and claustrophobia.
Particularly for low-income groups.
Even in reasonably dense housing, individual
terrace/gardens can be given; e.g.: Jeevan Bima
Township, Borivili.
Charles Correa 6
7. Not only improves living condition, but also has
economic value in a developing country like India.
These principles were also applied to high-rise
buildings in Mumbai. E.g. : Sonmarg Apartments
(1962), Mumbai
Another variation: to turn this verandah into a
garden, preferable of double height. E.g. :
Kanchenjunga apartment, Mumbai
SONMARG KANCHENJUNGA
APARTMENT APARTMENT
Charles Correa 7
8. SONMARG APARTMENTS
Year: 1961-66
Location: Mumbai
Climate : Rainy and hot
Category: High rise residential
ABOUT THE DESIGN: early attempt to deal
with the context and climate of Mumbai. The
apartment featured here is a typical flat in the
building, which has been occupied by a number of
users over a large span of time.
Charles Correa 8
9. Auxiliary spaces for protection
Protection for master bedroom
In order to create two lines of defense against the rain and
the sun, the architect has arranged a belt of auxiliary spaces
to form a zone of protection around the main living areas.
Charles Correa 9
10. KANCHENJUNGA APARTMENTS
Year : 1970-83
Client: T.V. Patel
Location: Mumbai
Climate: Hot & Rainy
Category: High Rise Luxury Residence
ABOUT THE DESIGN: In Mumbai buildings are oriented east west to
catch prevailing winds and also to get the best views (sea facing).
The flip side of the coin being the brunt of the hot sun, heavy
monsoon rains.
The solution was simply using verandahs all around the living spaces as
a protection. The design tries to apply this protection principles on a high
rise building
Charles Correa 10
11. The high rise houses 36
luxury apartments of 4
different types ,varying
from 3 to 6 bedrooms each.
This variation results in a
complex interlocking
variation of spaces which
is expressed externally by
the shear end walls that
hold up the cantilevers
OPEN
TERRACE
Typical section showing interlock of basic
units
Charles Correa 11
12. STRUCTURE:
Made of reinforced concrete.
Central core houses lifts & other services.
It also resists lateral loads.
Central core was constructed before the main
Structure by ‘Slip Method of construction, which
was used for the first time in India for a
multi- storeyed building. Charles Correa 12
13. JAWAHAR KALA KENDRA
Year: 1986-92
Location: Jaipur
It is an arts centre dedicated to Jawaharlal Nehru
Like the city, it is also double coded: a
contemporary building based on an archaic notion
of the cosmos: the Navagraha Mandala.
One of the squares moved aside to provide
entry, just like it was in the original city plan of
Jaipur
Charles Correa 13
15. External walls, 8m high, clad in Red Agra Stone.
On these external walls, presence of each planet is
expressed by inlaying on a square white marble
with polished black granite and mica.
These are expressed in their traditional symbols.
Central square is a void – true source of all energy
Charles Correa 15
17. BRITISH COUNCIL
Year: 1987-92
Location: Delhi
Materials: walls – red sandstone
sculptures: black rock quarried from
Mahabalipuram
It is the headquarters of their office in
India
Houses a library, an auditorium and an
art gallery too
These elements are arranged in a series
of layers – represents the historic
interfaces that have existed between
India and Britain.
3 nodal points along the
axis, representing 3 principle belief
systems existing in the Indian sub-
Charles Correa 17
continent.
18. The 1st node at the farthest end of the axis: mundi
of Hinduism
a spiral symbolizing bindu – energy centre of the
cosmos
The central node: it is the main courtyard.
Derived from the Islamic ‘Char Bagh’
The 3rd is a European icon, inlaid in marble and
granite.
represents ‘Age of Reason’ including mythical
values of Science and Progress.
Charles Correa 18
22. CHAMPALIMAUD CENTRE FOR THE
UNKNOWN
Opened on the 5th of Oct 2010
Location: Lisbon, Portugal. on the
waterfront of Pedrouços
Location has historical significance
as Portuguese pioneers sailed from
this location to discover the
‘unknown lands’
Presence of this centre creates an
inspirational link between the
discoveries of yesteryear and the
epic adventure of scientific research.
Charles Correa 22
23. Has a curved stone form with
circular cut- aways.
Comprises two buildings, first
- research laboratories
and treatment rooms,
second housing an
auditorium and exhibition
area.
A central pathway crosses the
site between the buildings,
leading towards two
monolithic stone
sculptures and an outdoor
amphitheatre.
Above the pathway, a glass
tubular bridge connects the
two buildings together.
Charles Correa 23
24. Attempted to use NATURE as therapy. The WATER around us. The
SKY above. The healing presence of RAIN FORESTS. All these are
therapies for the patients.
Uses the highest levels of contemporary science & medicine to help
people grappling with real problems; cancer, brain damage, blindness.
Charles Correa 24
25. The buildings are arranged to
create a 125 m long pedestrian
pathway leading diagonally across
the site, towards open seas.
Pathway is on an incline so that
when walking upwards one can
see only the sky ahead.
At the top of the ramp there are
two stone monoliths, straight from
the quarry
From the highest point, a large
body of water is visible which
appears to connect to the ocean
beyond.
In the centre of the water body,
just below the surface, is an oval
shaped stainless steel object,
slightly convex so that it reflects
the blue sky and the passing
clouds above Charles Correa 25