Charles Correa: A true Goan at heart

The passing away of Charles Correa, an acclaimed personality in the field of Architecture and urban planning and a remarkable human being, was received early this morning, with  a deep sense of shock and grief.

 Architect Charles Correa, an architect, though rooted in modernism,  was never in conflict with tradition. His contribution in the field of Architecture and urban design has found true global recognition. 

 Some of his projects like the Mahatma Gandhi Smarak at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, the Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal, Kanchanjunga  Apartments in Mumbai,  a satellite township,  Navi Mumbai,  across the bay as a road map for the planned growth of an ever expanding city of Mumbai, are landmark  examples of the legacy he leaves behind which will continue to inspire Architects and students for generations to come.

A true Goan at heart, his recent contribution to the development of the regional plan has been widely acknowledged. The Kala Academy in Goa , is another example of his ingenuity  in creating a porous space, which is an immediate response to his creative imagination and the context of its existence. 

I had an opportunity to work with him on many occasions; and am particularly reminded of his  guidance to the growth of the academic programs and the road map for development of the Goa College of Architecture; as the chairman of the advisory committee. I also re-collect his oft repeated statement, that, the college has to look at Goa as a laboratory for experimenting new concepts at various levels , to meet the demand of growth whilst projecting new ideas for a sustainable habitat and the students and teachers should be at the centre of such experiments.

A recipient of RIBA gold medal in architecture in 1984 and the Aga Khan award in 1988 , he was recently honoured in Mumbai with the Life Time achievement award. The Government of India conferred the Padma Vibhushan  Award  to him in 2006. While concluding these few lines, I will quote a beautiful statement which he once made which, I think, sums up an entire idea of creating space; and I quote , 'A building represents that part of truth that is Architecture'.

On behalf of the  members of the Architectural Profession and on my personal behalf,  I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Monika and other members of the bereaved family and pray for eternal response of the departed soul.

Tulio de Sousa, by email