Kulbir Kalsi,,
INVC,,
Chandigarh,,
A delegation of ten architects from Rome visited city beautiful to study the architecture of the buildings of Le Corbusier. They have been invited to Chandigarh on the request of Surinder Bahga, Immediate past Chairman of the Chandigarh Punjab Chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects. The aim of the delegation was to learn about ideas and ideologies from the diverse architectures. Le Corbusier ‘s architecture has always fascinated them. His other creations in Europe have had an important impact on them. Their maiden visit to Chandigarh was very fulfilling and interesting. Apart from Chandigarh, they have visited Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. While visiting the Capitol complex, Chandigarh , Bruno D’anato, an Italian architect feels that it seems that the European modern buildings have been superimposed in the Indian context. There don’t seem to have any cohesion between the two. The group leader Arianna Callocchia who curates architectural exhibitions for Finland and Rome says that the buildings of Corbusier are very ill maintained. It is very sad that nothing much is being done to preserve these. While going up the ramp of the Secretariat building in the Capitol Complex, one can see heaps of garbage on the balconies of the Secretariat. Archana Chaudhary, Jt Hon Secretary of IIA confirmed that IIA shall organize an exchange programme of the students of the IIA with Italian Institute of Architects to foster professional interests. Giancarlo Busiri Vici who was the Ex President of the Italian Institute of Architects and the Chairman of the Roman Architects, elaborates that the dimensions of two cities viz, Roma and Chandigarh are entirely different. The character of the city is different from that of Rome as Chandigarh has been built from scratch. The modern city of Rome has been built on the already existing Roman town.
