Architecture Books

Architecture Books and Reviews

Diwan-i-Khas at Fatehpur Sikri. Image by Manfred Sommer

“If the received wisdom of this Western historiography is Eurocentric and subjective, how do we trace the evolution of architectural consciousness in India?”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the second of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India. He explores how colonial perspectives distorted Indian architectural history, arguing that indigenous architectural theories existed beyond Eurocentric interpretations, with the mandala symbolizing a deeper conceptual understanding of cosmic and spatial design.

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Jaimini Mehta - Architecture and History

“Unless you ask these questions, you will not realise that it is not history but the perception of history that needs to be revisited.”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the first of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India.
The book analyses the works of several contemporary, post-independence Indian architects to demonstrate that since independence, they have revitalized traditional architectural elements and techniques, drawing inspiration from India’s itihasa.

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Great Expectations by Charles Benninger

Great Expectations: Notes to an Architect, by Christopher Charles Benninger

Christopher Benninger’s new book—Great Expectations: Notes to an Architect—reflects on contemporary architectural practice and its role in improving the human condition. It gives direction to students and practitioners alike as Prof. Benninger notes his encounters with his gurus and the manner in which their personal passion for humanity shaped the lives of others.

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Non Aesthetic Modernity

“Mehta’s discourse exemplifies authorship and individuation… ” Rajat Ray reviews Jaimini Mehta’s book titled ‘Non-Aesthetic Modernity: Metaphysics of Modern Architecture’

Rajat Ray reviews the book ‘Non-Aesthetic Modernity: Metaphysics of Modern Architecture’, authored by Jaimini Mehta. In the book, Mehta argues that modernity is not limited to the radical modernist movement and the ideology of “modernism” that emerged in Europe during the 18th century.

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Prem Chandavarkar on 6 Metros: Urban Planning & Implementation Compared

“A book that is unquestionably worthwhile and can be considered a milestone in the field.” Prem Chandavarkar on 6 Metros: Urban Planning & Implementation Compared

Prem Chandavarkar reviews “6 Metros: Urban Planning & Implementation Compared” by Sirish Patel, Oormi Kapadia, and Jasmine Saluja. Divided into two volumes, Signposts and Mappings, they provide a groundbreaking comparative study of urban planning across six global cities. The book, spanning London, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Delhi, and Mumbai, offers a dispassionate overview, presenting a humanist perspective and utilizing a unique two-volume structure.

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Book Launch | Making Chandigarh: A Vintage History

Book | Making Chandigarh: A Vintage History

“Making of Chandigarh: A Vintage History” co-authored by Sarbjit Bahga and Arun Mirchandani offers a unique pictorial journey through 575 vintage photographs, capturing the city’s evolution from 1950 to the 1990s. With a focus on the city-making process, the book, enriched with more than 50 drawings, serves as a comprehensive tribute to the photographers and the multitude of contributors who played a crucial role in shaping Chandigarh.

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