Achyut Kanvinde, born in 1916, was a pioneering Indian architect who designed over 450 buildings, significantly influencing modern Indian architecture through his advocacy for asymmetry and vernacular knowledge. His designs, characterized by a blend of Vastu Shastra and brutalism, prioritize natural light and local materials, exemplified by landmarks such as the ISKCON Temple and the National Science Centre in New Delhi. Kanvinde's work reflects Bauhaus principles and has garnered numerous awards, including the Padma Shree and significant leadership roles within architectural organizations.

1. SUBMITTED BY
TEJASHWINI K
1DC22AID08

2. ACHYUT KANVINDE – THE FIRST INDIAN ARCHITECT
• Architect: Achyut Purushottam Kanvinde,
• born in 1916
• They saw India before Independence and shaped the
country after its freedom.
• He designed more than 450 buildings over five decades.
• Achyut Kanvinde became the pioneer of Modern Indian
Architecture.

3. ACHYUT KANVINDE -PHILOSOPHY
1) ADVOCATING ASYMMETRY
•His designs involve a play between form and space.
•He believed the form and space of a building should be a result of the interior space.
•He was against the use of symmetry as a principle.
•An example is the design of the national science center, new delhi, which has vertical masses
that rise gradually, adding to its aesthetic appeal.
2) USE OF VERNACULAR KNOWLEDGE
•A master of vernacular architecture, kanvinde could expertly design according to the local
climate and with the local building material.
•He gave utmost importance to natural light and made sure his designs were naturally
ventilated and lit.
•Doodh sagar dairy’s factory in mehsana is an ideal example of vernacular architecture used
along with brutalism. The use of exposed concrete along with the brute form makes for a
dynamic design.

4. 3) BLEND OF VASTUSHASTRA AND BRUTALISM
• A strong believer of vastushastra, he has found innovative ways to
incorporate the system into his brutalist style. This has become his signature.
• There is a strong presence of simplicity in facade treatment, exposed
concrete, and the elimination of unnecessary elements.
• An example is the iskcon temple, which in all ways is a true kanvinde design.
It is discussed in detail in the following sections.

5.  Achyut Kanvinde & Bauhaus style of architecture:
The Bauhaus style came to India through few Architects like Kanvine and Charles Correa who traveled to the US for their
studies. Achyut Kanvinde was one of them. Also, most of the buildings designed by Kanvinde shout out Bauhaus Style. In an
interview, he also mentioned that these buildings helped him establish the International style in India.
Some of the Bauhaus principles that can be seen in Achyut Kanvinde works are:
•Asymmetry
•Cubic shapes
•Flat roofs
•Smooth and undecorated surfaces
•He adopted a steel frame or reinforced concrete post and slab.
•Exposed materials

6.  Design Process
• As a student of Walter Gropius, Achyut
Kanvinde’s design is heavily influenced by the
Bauhaus style of architecture. His design
process is a series of trials and errors in
combining Bauhaus style with Brutalism. This is
without compromising on the Vaastu aspects of
the design and finding unique ways on using
local material.
• A famous sketch of Kanvinde’s is of the ISKCON
Temple in New Delhi. The sketch has the
shikhara and kalasha details, along with the
suitable material for them.

7. • ISKCON Temple in New Delhi.
 Buildings Designed by Achyut Kanvinde
• The ISKCON Temple, designed and built by Achyut Kanvinde, who
volunteered to accept a pro-bono commission to create this temple
complex for Srila Prabhupada’s devotees in 1993, is one of India’s largest
temple complexes.
• Regionalism – Influenced by the local materials, climate, and social
conditions. In addition, also adhered to climatological principles.

8. Buildings Designed by Achyut Kanvinde
 1) IIT Kanpur
• The design of the master plan for the 800-acre campus.
• He used cubic forms, with functionality and aesthetics.
• There is the signature use of bricks and reinforced
concrete.
• It resembles the vernacular architecture of many parts of
India.
• Functionalism – Conceived with utmost priority given to
the function of the building as well as the social values of
the designed space. There is also symmetry in this project
with his famous use of bricks and reinforced concrete. In
retrospect, its style also bears striking resemblance to the
raw form of vernacular architecture found in areas of India.

9. Buildings Designed by Achyut Kanvinde
2)National Insurance Academy (NIA), Pune (1988)
• The Finance Department of the Indian government established the company in 1980 with capital support from the LIC and the
public sector general insurance market. Kanvinde’s art has influenced the perception of modern heritage in India.
• Rationalist Approach – Internal function of the building in separate masses and are functional from the inside and elegant from
the outside. There is also this innate humanness about the size and proportions with respect to space. The building also shows
the complete focus on the material used.

10. Buildings Designed by Achyut Kanvinde
 3) National Science Centre, New Delhi (1991)
• After designing the Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai, Kanvinde was commissioned to design the National Science Centre in Delhi next.
He inculcated the design ideas from a previously unreleased project, the Tantra Museum (a project for an art collector), where one
accessed the exhibition spaces directly from the top floor via an escalator, before descending gradually to the lower floors. This idea was
also implemented in both the Centres in Mumbai and Delhi.
• Brutalism – Natural light has been given extreme importance. Form of the building solves ventilation and also excessive heat through
covered verandahs, walkways, and staircases. Most importantly, the porch and the staircase are always given emphasis in buildings.

11.  INTERIORS SPACES BY ACHYUT KANVINDE’s - own house

12.  INTERIORS SPACES BY ACHYUT KANVINDE
• Advocating asymmetry
• Use of vernacular elements
• Blend of vastushastra and
brutalism

13.  Achievements and Awards
 With his career perfectly spanning for over 55 years, Achyut Kanvinde won a number of awards, accolades, and lifetime
achievements not only in his academic days but also in his architectural career
• Padma Shree in 1976.
• President of Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) in 1974-75.
• Co-authored book “Campus Design in India”.
• IIA’s Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement in 1985.
• Great Master’s Award from J.K. Industries Ltd. In 1993.
• Was also a part of the jury on the competition for the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, along B.V. Doshi.