A tribute to Jeanneret on 125th birth anniversary

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 22

While tracing the legacy of Pierre Jeanneret’s architectural talent, given his versatility, aesthetics and adaptability, one stands acquainted with Chandigarh’s soul. The detail of quintessential modernism in his works extends way beyond just the obvious facade, pervades functionality and stands relevant even today.

Before it was decided to convert his house into a museum, the structure had witnessed many haphazard additions and alterations over the years. “The verandahs were enclosed, doors and windows replaced, fittings and fixtures changed and the brick fireplace and niches were demolished. We spent nearly four years on its restoration,” recollects Deepika Gandhi, Director, Le Corbusier Centre.

She shares: “The most important aspect of Jeanneret’s design was that he was versatile. He could change his entire vocabulary according to the situation. He would improvise. If you look at Corbusier’s work, you will be able to recognise it. Jeanneret’s not as much. You can’t tell that Jeanneret designed Panjab University’s Administrative Block, Corbusier Centre and Gandhi Bhawan. In all of his architectural designs, he changed his vocabulary.”

Jeanneret’s merit lies in his ability to balance aesthetics and functionality. Rajnish Wattas, former principal of Chandigarh College of Architecture, architectural critic, author and heritage expert, says: “Jeanneret’s style is very understated. He had the knack of making something modern out of ancient materials such as the red sandstone used in Panjab University. Then there’s Gandhi Bhawan, which is reminiscent of Fatehpur Sikri, which is all white, and stands out in Panjab University’s otherwise red-coloured linear facades.”

During his stay in Chandigarh, he lived in a self-designed house number 57 in Sector 5, from December 1954 to August 1965. Le Corbusier, too, used to stay in this house during his visits to Chandigarh every year.

Sangeeta Bagga, principal of Chandigarh College of Architecture, shares: “There were three dictates that led to the East West dialogue (creation of Chandigarh style of architecture). First was the dictate of a harsh composite climate. The second a shoestring budget and the third a complete reliance on local men and materials. Jeanneret utilised these three dictates to create a humane architecture for everyday living.” She adds: “When it comes to his aesthetics, ‘Less is More’ seems to be the key. With waste and discarded ‘taslas’, he created lamps, wove ‘durries’, built boats and crafted ‘jaalis’. Art in everyday life was his second nature as he was a Handyman.”

Such was Jeanneret’s love for the city that as per his ‘will’ his ashes were immersed in the Sukhna Lake after he died in 1967.

Stayed in city from Feb 1951 to Aug 1965

Pierre Jeanneret had stayed in Chandigarh from February 1951 to August 1965, and designed most of the government housing complexes, schools, colleges, shopping centres, Gandhi Bhawan, Panjab University, and other infrastructure besides supervising the implementation of Le Corbusier’s designs of the Capitol Complex, Museum and Art Gallery, College of Art, City Centre, etc.