The Poem in Bricks

I remember the first semester of my design concept class at the college. In the classes for ‘Use of Voids’, I had researched on Louis I. Khan’s Parliament Building, Dhaka and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad’s building. I actually chose my school’s building from Patna for the elevation drawing on the sheet which was also an icon of use of voids and inspired by Kahn’s designs, nevertheless I fell in awe with the design, construction and collaboration by Louis I. Khan. B.V Doshi and Anant Raje.

The magnificent marvelousness of the bricks creates a charm and can be felt from far. The flow and harmony seemed to be mere concepts for exams but when we actually visited the Vastrapur area of Ahmedabad, where this building stood like a magic that brought flow and harmony of bricks to life and that too without the sull concrete pillars, arches or lintels.

I personally believed it to be a national heritage that should be preserved for the future generations to adore the poetry of arches written in bricks.

Thus, I considered the news of its demolition to be a rumour. But when its alumnus, architects, historians and the family members of Kahn protested against its demolition, I felt grieved for the loss. Today was a day to rejoice when the call to demolish this thing of beauty was withdrawn.