Eclectic Regionalism; Parallel between Japanese and Indian architect. by Shail Sheth

Eclectic Regionalism Parallel between Japanese and Indian architect and their architecture through works of Togo Murano and Nariman Gandhi

Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

Abstract Understanding the regionalist architecture through the works of eclectic architects like Togo Murano and Nariman Gandhi and searching the reasons like country’s situation with respect to development after World War I for Japan and independence for India during the formative years of both the architects respectively. From the works of the both architects, finding parallels between the two, to prove Eclectic regionalism.

Introduction Meanings [1] · Eclectic - denoting or belonging to a class of ancient philosophers who did not belong to or found any recognized school of thought but selected doctrines from various schools of thought. · Regionalism - the theory or practice of regional rather than central systems of administration or economic, cultural, or political affiliation. Togo Murano and Nariman Gandhi were the architects whose architecture ideology was led by the above aspects. For the both the architects, regionalism was one of the main factors in designing their buildings which was completed with their eclecticism. Parallels: Shortage of resources for Togo Murano during building his own house and the same way Nariman Gandhi’s first project had challenge of un-reachability of the resources because of the height where the site was located. Both the architects dealt to the problem with their regionalist approach in construction technique of the built and dynamism of their architecture. Togo Murano and Nariman Gandhi came from two countries, Japan and India respectively which were going from a shift in the initial years of the practice of Togo Murano and Nariman Gandhi which led to similar approaches in their architectural practice.

Japan and Togo Murano •

Japan after World War 1:

Western model of design presented after World war I in Japan was not truly reasonable to their own assets, climatic conditions and convention which prompted to look them to their own past legacy to comprehend the training which had developed over adjustment and reception. 1910-1930, Japan had just been experiencing modernization for the greater part of a century. Society was developing and architects in Japan were not concerned only with modernization or westernization. In the meantime, modernization had brought forth new calling in Japan, that of architect. It had likewise stirred in each field a cognizance of individual character. In the concise time of Taisho democracy (1912-26), the blossoming of vote-based thoughts and developments after WWI, Japan likewise observed across the broad acknowledgment of the idea of oneself. Architecture articulation wound up skewed as the contention with belief system started to show itself, bringing about Eclectic inclination with solid nationalistic suggestions alongside adjustment of Japanese Sukiya style as method for sublimating the contention among tradition and modernization.

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Togo Murano’s Architecture and Ideology:

Togo Murano’s youth years in the architectural field were exposed with the issues such as freedom of architectural expression, the relationship between freedom and style and the links between freedom & modern thought. He was one of the few architects who was able to qualify modernist architecture with the warmth of human touch by using the materials and colors in a freeway. Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano – Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

1.Meanings: Google dictionary

Kazuhiro Ishii said for Togo Murano architecture and ideology: “Murano viewed the architecture of the west through the eyes of Sukiya designs”. By his architecture, variety of architecture and broad spectrum in modes of design that encompass high modernism with direct relation to functionalism with loud as well as subtle amalgamation with traditional Japanese & tea-house architecture. His work has reflection of philosophy of the Japanese Sukiya style with modernist design and approach. In majority of the projects he has used a structural system having an equalspun frame; the building would vary from University, Office or a City hall and then depending on the budget of the project, the frame expression was decided. He wa always interested in creating a visual pattern on a surface which is going to cover the structural frame and this design methodology helped him to take undogmatic, practical approach which was inherited in him from the experience in the office of Setsu Watanabe.

India and Nariman Gandhi •

India after independence:

India after independence and modernization, however the scan for roots in India was not really an obtained response following the West’s Modernism. The past was never completely stifled and lived through regularly experienced conventions. As political thinker Bhikhu Parekh comments, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, were basic conventionalist and modernist respectively. Both comprehended that neither regionalism nor modernization were adequate in themselves. Architect growing up in this environment couldn’t altogether grasp it which is why it leads to a possibility that they looked to discover their parity. In the meantime, architects like Chatterjee and Polk in Kolkata truly attempted to address territorial issues; Polk expounded on the soul of spot before such expressions were natural. Laurie Baker’s conscientious and pragmatic works, Joseph Stein’s cautious reactions to climatic conditions and scene, Nariman Gandhi’s combination of material and environment, and Ranjit Sabikhi’s innovative utilization of courtyards were invigorating, rousing options.

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Nariman Gandhi’s Architecture and Ideology:

Nariman Gandhi’s philosophies and works are unmistakable which differs from the standard architectural thinking. His works show organic character which seems to have developed as a reaction to the unique situation, remaining firmly attached to the site and being associated with the environment. His dismissal towards regular thoughts and ideal models was presented through his work. He began reexamining institutionalized practices through his work and set up his own practice. Each work of him is a case of eccentric reasoning in architecture and an exchange among tangible and intangible. He made assembled spaces that remained always associated with their environment enabling daylight and wind to interface with within and quicken the space with time. There is obvious reconsideration of the arrangement of the capacities inside the constructed structure.

Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano – Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

Parallel Regionalism of Togo Murano & Nariman Gandhi â&#x20AC;˘

Shortage and Unreachability of resources, Dynamics of the built with site context and Construction techniques:

Togo Murano In Japan during the World war period as all the architect in the country had no work, Togo Murano as well started exploring and he decided to make his own house (1942) in that period. Due to shortage of resources during the war period, he bought an old house in Kawachi, Nana Prefecture and had disassembled the wooden structure and moved to the Takarazuka and erected his new house using the wooden structure of old house from Kawachi. According to him house is always evolving and changing. He had planned his house which had both Japanese space and elements with western counterparts. For example: Several tatami rooms with western modern rooms and study room with highly prioritized Teaceremony space. Entire architecture was complemented and completed with Japanese style garden.

Fig 1.1- Showing the disassembly from one place to assembly at another

Fig 1.2- Showing the walkway of the garden leading towards the entrance of the house

Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

Nariman Gandhi In India, Nariman Gandhi’s first undertaking was in Lonavla close Mumbai for one of his companions. The lodge is situated on a distant bluff top; it was a remote area almost a raised dam reservoir and hard to get to even with a substantial vehicle. He trusted that a structure ought to be a piece of its environment. Gobhai Mountain Lodge’s structure reacts to the states of the site. It permits greatest daylight into the inside spaces while hindering the heavy rains predominant in the region. He has built up his geometry from the idea of two fundamental far off perspectives the Rajmachi peak fortification and the Valvan Lake beneath. The verandahs of the lodge overlook the fortress and the lake. For the cabin building he made utilization of Taliesin West desert brick work technique frequently utilized by Frank Lloyd Wright for his projects. He utilized the privately quarried stones for the dividers of the house; the expansive stone squares were set inside a wooden formwork, level completed sides being on the outside face. Concrete was poured from the top; wooden formwork was expelled after cement was set. This gave a rough rubble external completion to the building.

Fig 2.1- Showing the location of the site with respect surroundings and height

Rajmachi fort

Valvan Lake

Fig 2.2- Showing the geometry of the plan of the site and site context Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano – Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

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Transition of Spaces, Elements and Finishes:

Togo Murano Shojuso guest house (1979) is an equilibrium balance between the Japanese traditional architecture and western modernization. Incorporating traditional Japanese elements as an old-fashioned plastered tile-topped fence and bamboo grass pruned in sloping angle to create the sense and feel which was rare at that period in Japan. The roof over the western style reception indicates the plenitude of the space within but sensitively designed roof edge creates an impression of lightness like of a silk cushion. The mixture between globalization and regional is visible at the entrance of the house from where the Tea-ceremony garden is visible beyond the glass wall on the right and travertine clad lobby on the left of the garden. The large reception room having curved inclined ceiling consisting of Tokonoma alcove and handwoven brocade cladded wall. Japanese motifs are used in the guest room of the house, the space cannot be determined as Japanese traditional space and neither as Modernist but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a subtle amalgamation of both the design approach.

Japanese spaces Western spaces Japanese and Western space combine

Fig 3.1- Plan showing the Japanese and western spaces opposite to each other

Fig 3.2- Roof above western style reception

Fig 3.3 - Tokonoma Alcove reception space

Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

Nariman Gandhi Moondust Residence, Madh Island, Entrance door with infill of chipped glass, thin wooden rails and locally sourced stones. An arch with local stone turning into staircase along with supporting the bedrooms of the first floor. Dining area with mural wall out of mud bricks with a transition of finishes from rough to smooth for functional clean dining surface. Structural wall is made of local stone and boulders giving the organic character.

Fig 4.1- Showing arch converting into staircase along with floor

Fig 4.2- Showing Boulder stone structural wall

Fig 4.3- Showing Dining area mural wall and dining table

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Demarcation and Separation of spaces:

Togo Murano In Nadaman Teahouse, New Otani Hotel (1976) the borders or partitions were shaped and translated in such a way that they are only suggestive always hinting at continuities rather than sharp demarcations between the spaces.

Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

Nariman Gandhi Mehta’s Bungalow, Korlai, Pavilion looking at circular dining area with chairs of different leg heights specifically designed for the curved split floors. Backyard of the built form is built in seating area complete with integrated handrail from local bricks looking towards the landscape area of the site.

Fig 5.1- Showing section of curved split floors and chairs

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Landscape as connection:

Togo Murano His intervention for hospitality using the Sukiya design and architecture in Kasuien Annex, Miyako Hotel (1959) consisted of effect of low floor height, low eaves and moderate pitch roof of the wooden building which gives the can experience of acceptance and warmth with garden and nature as walkways between the two separate spaces.

Fig 6.1- Showing the heights of the built and nature as walkways Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano – Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

Nariman Gandhi Daya’s Bungalow, Revdanda and Madh Island has an elaborated brick paved pathway in gardens which connects the two structures with an old iron gate casted alongside the terracotta pots in the landscape.

Fig 7.1- Showing iron gate and terracotta pots landscape

Conclusion It can be concluded that, Togo Murano used Japanese sukiya design, architecture and the notion of self and Nariman Gandhi used Frank Llyod Wright’s learning’s and ideology of ‘Design Flows’ with the unconventional thinking towards architecture. They are very different from each other but there are underlying similarities and parallels like the connection between the Nature (un-built) and the architecture (built). The connection was not just merely two different things staying together in balance, but it was more of the completion by one another. For example, the built form of both the architects needed the specific landscape and nature to complete the project as a whole and the equilibrium between the local materials and the site context with climatic condition with the eclecticism of the architects.

Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano – Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

Bibliography

Reference book: Murano Togo, and Botond Bognar. Togo Murano, Master Architect of Japan. Rizzoli, 1996.

Reference Thesis: By Norihiko Tsuneishi. “The Work of Vitalism: Murano Togo .” Bachelor of Architecture, University of Kansas , 2002.

Reference book: Pranav Upasani and Yashwant Pitkar. Nari Gandhi.

Reference sites: 1. Revolvy, LLC. “‘Nari Gandhi’ on Revolvy.com.” Revolvy, www.revolvy.com/page/Nari-Gandhi. 2. Thadani, Jaikishan. “Nari Gandhi Ideas and Projects Unconventional Thinking.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 25 Dec. 2014, www.slideshare.net/JaikishanThadani/nari-gandhi-ideas-and-projectsunconventional-thinking. 3. Bharti. “Nari Gandhi.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 20 Sept. 2015, www.slideshare.net/9anku/nari-gandhi52992276?next_slideshow=3. 4. “Nari Gandhi.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Jan. 2019, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nari_ Gandhi. 5. 26 April, 2016 By A Srivathsan. “Towards an Architecture for India.” Architectural Review, www. architectural-review.com/today/towards-an-architecture-for-india/10005759.article?v=1. 6. “Nari Gandhi’s Gobhai Mountain Lodge: A Triangular Wonder.” Bringing Designs To Life, nirman. com/blog/2017/01/02/nari-gandhis-gobhai-mountain-lodge-a-triangular-wonder/.

Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano – Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515

Regionalism with Globalization | Togo Murano â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nariman Gandhi | Shail Ui3515