The Common Sense Rules of an Uncommon Architect

 

Imagine the rural Indian buildings without cement and steel, just using the locally available materials, without extravaganza, yet aesthetically beautiful and durable, encapsulating the cultural and traditional techniques and suiting the climatic conditions?

 

I came across the story of an architect, Laurie Baker, while aimlessly googling something. As it turned out, he was a renowned architect known for his deviations from the standards of architecture. Such as:

 

1. His emphasis on using locally available materials that suit regional climatic conditions
2. His ideas on constructing buildings without cement and steel
3. His belief that a building should reflect our ways of living and culture
4. His cost reduction techniques which questioned the necessity of each and every item used in construction or designing, avoiding unnecessary grandeur
5. His views on designing low cost buildings to the poor using simpler and traditional techniques, in order to meet the rampant housing problem in India
   

 

He strongly believed that we have to stop thinking big and go back to the idea that small is beautiful. And he proved that there is no connection between money and beauty—beautiful buildings can be built in very simple ways.

 

What caught my attention the most was the set of rules he prepared himself, which he followed till his death. Though the rules pertain to architecture, he had written them in such a way that we can find their relevance in our daily lives too. Hope these rules can make a difference.

 

The Common Sense Rules:

 

1. Only accept a REASONABLE BRIEF and one which you are capable of carrying it through.
2. Discourage EXTRAVAGANCE AND SNOBBERY and don’t take on a job which is either.
3. Always study your site—soil, topography, water, climate & neighbors (noisy temples, smelly factories, etc.)
4. See potential SERVICES—water, drainage, access, power, fuel, phone, etc. If not possible or available, what will you do?
5. YOU, YOURSELF, GET ACCURATE DETAILS of the site, with in-situ facts such as trees, rocks, a well, wind and rain directions.
6. Every building should be UNIQUE. No two people, or families, etc. are alike. So why should their houses all be the same?
7. STUDY AND KNOW LOCAL MATERIALS—their availability, performance, costs, techniques & workmen who know how to use them.
8. STUDY AND KNOW ENERGY used in the manufacture and transport of materials, avoiding using energy intensive materials where possible.
9. BUILDING CODES ARE ADVISORY AND NOT MANDATORY! Read the first chapters of our National Building Code.
10. DON’T ROB NATIONAL RESOURCES, and  do not use them extravagantly or unnecessarily
11. BE HONEST AND TRUTHFUL in design, material usage, construction, costs & about your own mistakes!
12. AVOID OPULENCE & ‘SHOWING-OFF’, and don’t use currently fashionable gimmicks.
13. Get your CONSCIENCE out of DEEP FREEZE and USE IT. LET ALL YOU DO be honest and truthful, not only your building.
14. Look closely at YOUR OWN PREJUDICES.  Question them and see if they are still justifiable!
15. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR CONVICTIONS and have COURAGE to STICK to them—but respect those of other people.
16. Make ‘COST EFFICIENCY’ your WAY-OF-LIFE—not merely “Low Cost for the Poor”. Practice when you preach.
17. Keep your INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE ‘UP TO DATE’, but make sure the latest fashions’ are better than established ways before changing.
18. DON’T DO THAT WHICH IS NOT NECESSARY. Explain this to your clients when you think their demands are NOT necessary.
19. Above all—USE COMMON SENSE (I think you better not ask me what ‘common sense’ is!) Have fun in designing.
20. TRIM your drawings, staff, equipment, travel & transport, paper & expenses.
    
    
    
    One of his interviews, in which he makes his ideas clear:
    
    
    
    
    
     
     
    

Written by the legend himself, in his handwriting.