Number 14 November 1990
A review of current Architectural and Environmental Issues and events in the Cambridge area produced by theCambridge Association of Architects. The views in this newsletter are those of the individual contributors and not of the association. Newsletter co-edited by David Raven and Colen Lumley. ’Cambridge Architecture’ Trumpington Mews, Trumpington, Cambridge. REFLECTIONS FROM INDIA
Old Fort Jaisalmer c1700
A number ofpeople, both from within the profession and outside, have spokep tome about the new Holiday Inn on theDowning site in Cambridge. Not one of them hasa kind word tosayabout it. They ask, “how could this have happened, especially ina place like Cambridge,a City visited by millions of people to admire its architecture?”I find it easier to respond to the layperson.I take the opportunity to emphasise theimportance of enlightened patronage for the creation of well designed buildings.I tell them ofa letterI came across which Le Corbusier had written to Nehru at the suggestion of the Indian Charge d'Affaires at that time in Paris. (I shudder to think of the fate ofa British diplomat or civil servant who might dare suggest to an architect, however distinguished, that he write to the Prime Minister to help resolvea matter of design.) The letter not only gives an insight into the workings of themind ofa great architect, but also shows another quality found in all successful persons in any walk of life — namely, the absolute single mindedness to thepoint of obsession with one's work. It is reproduced in full and I hope readers will find it of interest. What makesa practice of successful architects glue Ionic capitals ona facade, as if they were hanging wallpaper, is more difficult to explain. Perhaps architecture reflects the values of its day more accurately than we realise. We live ina confused period and this is reflected in our buildings. Is there a way out of this confusion other than by applying bits of classical imagery from the past to buildings of today? On a recent visit to India,I discovered that architects there, with their immensely rich architectural vocabulary, have also been looking at buildings from thepast. But they are not slavishly applying motifs from buildings of previous periods to contemporary facades. Instead, one of their most talented and successful architects tooka year off from hisbusy practice to leada team to study and record some oftheimportant buildings before they get ravaged by tourism. (India simply cannot afford to take care of its vast architectural heritage.) The results, widely published, have helped in an understanding of how building forms evolved in the past to deal with the climate.I hope these illustrations inspire some ofus to similarly study buildings here, to carry forward the architectural traditions set by the builders of Kings College Chapel, York Minster and the townscape of Bath.
Pierced Screen Fatehpur Sikri
Viren Sahai