Architectural Trail

A journey through India is an intensive course through the history of architecture where you will find the highest number of Art-Deco buildings outside of the United States, a capital with remnants of 7 cities across different eras, a unique blend of Indian, Mughal and British architecture in the Indo Saracenic style and much, much more.

Architectural Identity of the Great Indian Plains

From the layers upon layers of heritage and eras of architecture in Delhi, to the crown jewel of the Mughal empire, the Taj Mahal, to the royal grandeur of Rajputana architecture, and to Corbusier’s experiments in béton brut (raw concrete) in Chandigarh and Ahmedabad, finally culminating in the city of polarities and dualities, Mumbai. This trail will pay homage to Indian masters like the Pritzker award winning architect Balkrishna Doshi, the esteemed Charles Correa and many others like Joseph Allen Stein and Louis Kahn.

1. Delhi

Explore the City of 7 Cities. From Pre-Mughal to the modern, a story spanning millennia. From the Lutyen’s Capital & the Indo-Saracenic style in New Delhi to the Vernacular architecture of Old Delhi, the city of Shah Jahan. Also visit Steinabad, and witness first hand Joseph Allen Stein’s vision of regional modernism.

2. Agra

Visit Agra, home to the Crown jewel of Mughal Architecture the Taj, and explore a hidden gem of a Roman Catholic Cemetery-catholic tombs with Mughal Architecture and Persian inscriptions. Understand Mughal planning principles in an abandoned city en route towards our next destination, Jaipur. 

3. Jaipur

In Jaipur, “City of Victory” and Capital of the Royal State of Rajasthan, explore the heritage of the old city and the pink sandstone architecture, seeing how the ancient planning principles of India called as Vastu were used to plan a city far ahead of its time. Visit the walled city of Amber and study the intricate detailing in stone of the Hawa Mahal.

4. Chandigarh

Next up is Chandigarh. The vision of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, brought to life by the modern master Le Corbusier. Here you can witness his ingenious use of béton brut (raw concrete) and brise-soleils (sun breakers). Study in detail the Capitol Complex, and Sector-17.

5. Ahmedabad

Visit a city both rich in vernacular architecture and home to Pritzker Prize winner B.V.Doshi, and Louis I. Kahn’s institutional masterpiece. Appreciate the vernacular architecture and the crafts of the local artisans as you walk through the old part of the city. A whole day in Ahmedabad is also reserved for visits to some of the best planned institutional campuses in India

6. Mumbai

Study the City of Opposites. From Neo-Gothic Victorian to Art Deco to Vernacular Indian. A potpourri of architecture and social classes. Explore the city by sunrise, take in the sights and smells and also get a chance to understand the Parsi culture. A visit to a English Romanesque style market is also planned.

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    Find out what trails we are exploring:

    Thematic Trails

    ARCHITECTURE
    TEXTILES
    PHOTOGRAPHY
    Mindfulness
    Culinary
    Mountains

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