FOUNTAINHEAD!

While Lawrence was studying architecture, he went on a cycling expedition to Europe with his friends. The painful period that followed Hitler's occupation of Germany had unleashed a certain terror. Innumerable beautiful as well as painful memories of the tour enriched young Lawrence, who resolved that earning money would not be the motto of his life. He joined as a member of the surgical team of a religious group Quakers and went to China to serve the patients during the World War II.

Laurie came to India en route to England from China where he met Mahatma Gandhi who asked him to stay back to take care of leprosy patients. He travelled all over India helping repair leprosy homes and build new ones. He got exposed to indigenous architecture and was amazed at the way in which simple materials could be exploited to produce buildings with refined aesthetics and lasting qualities.

In 1970, Laurie Baker finally moved to Kerala and ever since became the fountainhead of alternative building technologies that would provide housing for the poor in a cost effective manner. Baker followed the principle that a house should seem to be owned by its owner and not be merely a statement made by the architect. Rejecting designs alien to the place he used local tiles and bricks in construction. A peaceful co-existence involving nature, man and home came across in his work.

Baker's architecture was always a reflection of his thoughts. He did not have any property other than the house he lived in. He did not like to have more than four sets of shirts and trousers, all made from khadi. He was continuously engaged in the quest for new ways to use any kind of waste, from paper to vegetables. And he inspired and motivated many to harness their creativity in creating appropriate architecture. Laurie built no big monuments, but yet he is regarded as one of the greatest architects because of his high values and simple style.

“Padmashree” Laurie Baker passed away on 1 April 2007. But his legacy continues to be a guiding light for a world staggering along the blind path of environmental destruction and misplaced development. The real alternative lies in the basics. For that we have look beyond our limited perspectives. We must recognise our responsibilities to our people, our land and more importantly to our profession. We must see the real dimensions to development and then develop new dimensions that use contemporary technology with traditional resources and help build a sustainable future.

The fountainhead of alternative architecture has shown us the solution,
Laurie Baker continues to inspire us to “develop new dimensions”!

Regards
Pravin