Nari Gandhi: Architect of Indian Modernism
Nariman Dossabhai Gandhi (Nari Gandhi) was an Indian architect known for his highly innovative works in organic architecture. He practiced as an architect in India from 1964 to 1993. He worked on approximately 27 projects. He primarily focused on designing residences with a secondary focus on designing furniture, objects, and upholstery textiles.
Nari Gandhi Early life and education
Nari Gandhi was born on 2 January 1934 in Surat, Gujarat, India to a Zoroastrian Parsi family based in Mumbai. He was one of the six children and had three brothers and two sisters.
He completed his primary and secondary education at St. Xavierโs High School Fort, Mumbai. Then he attended the Sir J. J. School of Art in Mumbai and pursued the diploma program in architecture until 1956.
During his time at the Sir J. J. School of Art, he was acquainted with Rustom Patell, a former Taliesin, who, in turn, introduced him to a colleague from Taliesin, Mansinh Rana.
After the recommendation from Rana, he left the Sir J. J. School of Art without completing his formal education to join Frank Lloyd Wrightโs Taliesin.
Personal life
Nari Gandhi was a practicing Zoroastrian Parsi. He dressed plainly in white, khadi fabric kurta pyjamas, a Parsi top, and Kolhapuri chappals. He was a bachelor and a teetotaler. He was influenced by the ideas of the Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.
Taliesin
After his departure from the Sir J. J. School of Art, Gandhi attended Taliesin from October 1956 through December 1961. During his training and collaboration with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin heavily influenced Gandhiโs views on organic architecture.
The environment at Taliesin was conducive for artists to explore and engage in various forms of artistic express. So, along with architecture, he became interested in stonework and pottery also.
Later his interest in stonework helped him leave an enduring mark at Taliesin. He once ignored the mandatory Sunday breakfast with Frank Lloyd Wright and Olgivanna Lloyd Wright to instead drag a large stone that he had discovered in the mountains down to the Taliesin campus.
He became friend with architect Bruce Goff during his time at Taliesin. After leaving Taliesin, he briefly worked with architect Warren Webber. Later he studied pottery, weaving, ceramics, photography and woodcarving at Kent State University.
Career of Nari Gandhi
After his studies at Kent State University, Gandhi returned to India to practice as an independent architect. He owned an office space on Nepeansea Road near Malabar Hill in South Mumbai but it was rarely occupied and used.
He was not a registered architect with the Indian Institute of Architects so the legal permits for his projects were obtained by one of hisarchitect-friend, Dady Banaji, and other associates.
He practiced as an architect in India from 1964 to 1993 having worked on approximately 27 projects. Primarily he focused on designing residences such as apartments, penthouses, farm houses, beach houses etc. And his secondary focus was on designing furniture, objects, and upholstery textiles.
His had a work-team included Pravin Bhayani, he was acknowledged by Gandhi as his โtroubleshooterโ. And Arvind Soni was responsible for the on-site labour force.
Architectural style
Gandhi was known for his highly innovative works in organic architecture that blended elements unique to India with the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright. Even he developed an integrated architectural style that considered the local climate, tropical lifestyle and artisanship in collaboration with the craftsmen and masons on site.
Labor-intensive methods were intrinsic to his work. It showed a refined sense of materials with an extraordinary use of clay, stone, brick, wood, glass, and leather.
His themes in work included extended roof slopes that touch the ground, arched structural design, preservation of and building around on-site trees, and obscuring the interior-exterior distinction.
His work also showed the idea of constant growth and change, as evident through rebuilding, rearranging, and extending.
Some of his popular projects are:
- Korlai Bungalow, Alibaug
- Gobhai Mountain Lodge, Lonavala
- Jain Bunglow, Lonavala
- Revdanda House, Revdanda &
- Beach House, Madh Island
Nari Gandhiโs simplicity and gentle nature were transcended into his work. He broke away from mundane practices and defined architecture for himself and the world. He believed in the idea of nature to control rather than the architect. Probably why he was one of the greatest architects of his time.
Death of Nari Gandhi
When he was on a visit to a clientโs site, he died in a car accident on 18 August 1993.
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