Project
AP206.S1.1975.PR01
Description:
This project series documents Aditya Prakash's proposal for an alternative plan for Chandigarh, India, which came to be known as the Linear City. Prakash began developing and advocating for this idea around the early 1970s. The Linear City had two fundamental ideas at its core. The first was to raise the roadways in Chandigarh (or any future city) 10-12 feet from ground level. This, he proposed, would separate vehicular traffic from pedestrians, eliminating all the hazardous impacts of traffic on daily life. The large part of the drawings for this project show sector plans and city blocks with evenly dispersed roundabout roadways as major transit hubs, wrapping around but high above centres of pedestrian activity that included shops, markets and green spaces. The sale of the land below the roadways would pay for the upheaval. He also recommended building this city only a few sectors deep, but endlessly expanding it length-wise, with a raised canal along one side to provide an additional transpiration network and irrigation. The second fundamental idea of this city was the creation of self-sustaining sectors in the city plan, advocating that each neighbourhood should have the infrastructure to provide food and recycling for its residents. He fervently argued for the reimagination of modernist Chandigarh by incorporating sustainable, local traditions - the rural should exist in harmony with the urban. In opposition to Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, he believed areas for recycling, animal husbandry, and growing food should be incorporated into the fabric of the city.[1] This project is recorded largely through original drawings of city plans, perspectives and axonometric views detailing Prakash's new vision for the city. It seems that many of the perspectives were drawn by family friend Sandeep Virmani, after listening to Prakash's ideas.[2] The project is also recorded through photographs, negatives and slides showing plans and the project model. A small amount of notes and an article on the project are also included. [1]Vikramaditya Prakash, One Continuous Line: Art, Architecture and Urbanism of Aditya Prakash (Ahmedabad, India: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 2019), 164-181. [2]Prakash, One Continuous Line, 169.
circa 1975-2003
Linear city, Chandigarh, India (circa 1975-1987)
Actions:
AP206.S1.1975.PR01
Description:
This project series documents Aditya Prakash's proposal for an alternative plan for Chandigarh, India, which came to be known as the Linear City. Prakash began developing and advocating for this idea around the early 1970s. The Linear City had two fundamental ideas at its core. The first was to raise the roadways in Chandigarh (or any future city) 10-12 feet from ground level. This, he proposed, would separate vehicular traffic from pedestrians, eliminating all the hazardous impacts of traffic on daily life. The large part of the drawings for this project show sector plans and city blocks with evenly dispersed roundabout roadways as major transit hubs, wrapping around but high above centres of pedestrian activity that included shops, markets and green spaces. The sale of the land below the roadways would pay for the upheaval. He also recommended building this city only a few sectors deep, but endlessly expanding it length-wise, with a raised canal along one side to provide an additional transpiration network and irrigation. The second fundamental idea of this city was the creation of self-sustaining sectors in the city plan, advocating that each neighbourhood should have the infrastructure to provide food and recycling for its residents. He fervently argued for the reimagination of modernist Chandigarh by incorporating sustainable, local traditions - the rural should exist in harmony with the urban. In opposition to Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, he believed areas for recycling, animal husbandry, and growing food should be incorporated into the fabric of the city.[1] This project is recorded largely through original drawings of city plans, perspectives and axonometric views detailing Prakash's new vision for the city. It seems that many of the perspectives were drawn by family friend Sandeep Virmani, after listening to Prakash's ideas.[2] The project is also recorded through photographs, negatives and slides showing plans and the project model. A small amount of notes and an article on the project are also included. [1]Vikramaditya Prakash, One Continuous Line: Art, Architecture and Urbanism of Aditya Prakash (Ahmedabad, India: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 2019), 164-181. [2]Prakash, One Continuous Line, 169.
Project
circa 1975-2003
journals and magazines
AP206.S2.030
Description:
This article is an interview with Aditya Prakash that appeared in the May 1973 issue of magazine Science Today, published by the Times of India.
1973
Architectural Education publication
Actions:
AP206.S2.030
Description:
This article is an interview with Aditya Prakash that appeared in the May 1973 issue of magazine Science Today, published by the Times of India.
journals and magazines
1973
textual records
AP206.S2.079
Description:
This file includes the keynote address Aditya Prakash gave entitled "Le Corbusier's Chandigarh: Architecture and the Cultural Context," as well as a notebook with research and writings.
1990
Research and speech for Cornell University Symposium on Chandigarh
Actions:
AP206.S2.079
Description:
This file includes the keynote address Aditya Prakash gave entitled "Le Corbusier's Chandigarh: Architecture and the Cultural Context," as well as a notebook with research and writings.
textual records
1990
Series
Reference material
AP206.S4
Description:
The Reference material series, circa 1947-2008, contains diverse materials used by Aditya Prakash throughout his career as an architect, artist and academic. This series is recorded through textual records, books, serials, maps and drawings, likely used for research and presentations. The drawings are largely reprographic copies and predominantly consist of plans of Indian cities, sector and city plans of Chandigarh, and buildings in Chandigarh. Likewise, the series contains a large number of maps and tourism brochures collected from Indian cities and some international cities. Many books, magazines and their excerpts are also included, as well as other small publications and papers on subjects of art and architecture.
circa 1947-2008
Reference material
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AP206.S4
Description:
The Reference material series, circa 1947-2008, contains diverse materials used by Aditya Prakash throughout his career as an architect, artist and academic. This series is recorded through textual records, books, serials, maps and drawings, likely used for research and presentations. The drawings are largely reprographic copies and predominantly consist of plans of Indian cities, sector and city plans of Chandigarh, and buildings in Chandigarh. Likewise, the series contains a large number of maps and tourism brochures collected from Indian cities and some international cities. Many books, magazines and their excerpts are also included, as well as other small publications and papers on subjects of art and architecture.
Series
circa 1947-2008
drawings
AP206.S3.061
Description:
These drawings consist of architectural drawings "by Prakash, dated 1984, retrospectively recalling the design process of the School of Art while working with Le Corbusier,"[1] frame control drawings, a Chandigarh sun chart and Modulor drawings. [1]Vikramaditya Prakash, One Continuous Line: Art, Architecture and Urbanism of Aditya Prakash (Ahmedabad, India: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 2019), 75.
1984
Architectural and Modulor drawings
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AP206.S3.061
Description:
These drawings consist of architectural drawings "by Prakash, dated 1984, retrospectively recalling the design process of the School of Art while working with Le Corbusier,"[1] frame control drawings, a Chandigarh sun chart and Modulor drawings. [1]Vikramaditya Prakash, One Continuous Line: Art, Architecture and Urbanism of Aditya Prakash (Ahmedabad, India: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 2019), 75.
drawings
1984
textual records
Unpublished papers
AP206.S2.088
Description:
This file includes the following papers: "Industry in Chandigarh," 1998 "The Roundabouts of Chandigarh," 1998 Artist's statement by Aditya Prakash for one of his exhibitions, 1998 Untitled papers and correspondence
1998
Unpublished papers
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AP206.S2.088
Description:
This file includes the following papers: "Industry in Chandigarh," 1998 "The Roundabouts of Chandigarh," 1998 Artist's statement by Aditya Prakash for one of his exhibitions, 1998 Untitled papers and correspondence
textual records
1998
Series
Professional papers
AP206.S3
Description:
The Professional papers series, circa 1950-2008, records the professional activities of Aditya Prakash throughout his career up until his death in 2008. His work in architecture, art, photography, academia and theatre are documented through textual records, drawings, photographic materials, ephemera, books, serials and sound recordings. The earliest materials in this series show Prakash’s interest in architectural photography early in his career through photographs, slides, and negatives taken by him. These materials, dating from before 1970, show most prominently his projects, people, villages and cityscapes. Materials dating from after 1968 show Prakash’s move into academia and his solo architectural career. During this time, the records document Prakash’s research interests on subjects such as urbanization, Chandigarh, the Modular and the environment, through drawings, newspaper articles, government and committee reports, correspondence and presentation materials. Likewise, his teaching is recorded through overhead transparencies, drawings and notes. The series also shows Prakash’s involvement in the professional community, including event photographs, correspondence and records documenting conferences, events and his discussion group Our Get Togethers. Correspondence with architect Charles Correa and frequent letters between Prakash and writer Mulk Raj Anand are of note here. Apart from his architectural career, Prakash’s work as a modern artist is well recorded through drawings, sketchbooks, and photographic reproductions of his art, mostly dating from after 1980. His interest in art as well as his community involvement are documented through exhibition ephemera, correspondence, and exhibition reviews and writings on his artwork. His role as the president of the Lalit Kala Akademi is also documented through publications, event photographs and correspondence. Finally, Prakash’s involvement in theatre, specifically with his amateur theatre troop Abhinet, is captured through scripts, photographs of performances and play reviews.
circa 1950-2008
Professional papers
Actions:
AP206.S3
Description:
The Professional papers series, circa 1950-2008, records the professional activities of Aditya Prakash throughout his career up until his death in 2008. His work in architecture, art, photography, academia and theatre are documented through textual records, drawings, photographic materials, ephemera, books, serials and sound recordings. The earliest materials in this series show Prakash’s interest in architectural photography early in his career through photographs, slides, and negatives taken by him. These materials, dating from before 1970, show most prominently his projects, people, villages and cityscapes. Materials dating from after 1968 show Prakash’s move into academia and his solo architectural career. During this time, the records document Prakash’s research interests on subjects such as urbanization, Chandigarh, the Modular and the environment, through drawings, newspaper articles, government and committee reports, correspondence and presentation materials. Likewise, his teaching is recorded through overhead transparencies, drawings and notes. The series also shows Prakash’s involvement in the professional community, including event photographs, correspondence and records documenting conferences, events and his discussion group Our Get Togethers. Correspondence with architect Charles Correa and frequent letters between Prakash and writer Mulk Raj Anand are of note here. Apart from his architectural career, Prakash’s work as a modern artist is well recorded through drawings, sketchbooks, and photographic reproductions of his art, mostly dating from after 1980. His interest in art as well as his community involvement are documented through exhibition ephemera, correspondence, and exhibition reviews and writings on his artwork. His role as the president of the Lalit Kala Akademi is also documented through publications, event photographs and correspondence. Finally, Prakash’s involvement in theatre, specifically with his amateur theatre troop Abhinet, is captured through scripts, photographs of performances and play reviews.
Series
circa 1950-2008
textual records
AP206.S2.065
Description:
File was originally housed in a binder along with content arranged in AP206.S2.066, AP206.S2.067 and AP206.S2.068. This file consists of approximately 15 newspaper articles by Aditya Prakash dating from 1985 on city planning, Chandigarh and other topics.
1985-1997
Published and unpublished papers (folder 1 of 4)
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AP206.S2.065
Description:
File was originally housed in a binder along with content arranged in AP206.S2.066, AP206.S2.067 and AP206.S2.068. This file consists of approximately 15 newspaper articles by Aditya Prakash dating from 1985 on city planning, Chandigarh and other topics.
textual records
1985-1997
Project
AP206.S1.1983.PR01
Description:
This project series documents residential housing for officers at the Reserve Bank of India in Chandigarh, India from 1983-1986. The project consisted of four-storey apartment blocks located on twelve blocks totalling 2.87 acres. The apartment blocks had oblong-shaped spiraling staircases at exterior openings along the buildings' elevations. Located in Sector 44B, the apartments observed both the norms of the bank's staff quarters guidelines and the architectural control established in Chandigarh. This project was proposed in two phases, the second of which integrated public spaces, amenities and maintenance quarters into the campus. The project is recorded through drawings, textual records and a photograph dating from 1983-2003. About half the drawings are originals and included are plans, elevations, sections, details and structural and electrical drawings. Many of these are working drawings, but some presentation drawings are included. The textual records consist of specifications, reports, correspondence and the project contract. The photograph shows Aditya Prakash on the roof of the finished building.
1983-2003
Reserve Bank of India officers' quarters, Chandigarh, India (1983-1986)
Actions:
AP206.S1.1983.PR01
Description:
This project series documents residential housing for officers at the Reserve Bank of India in Chandigarh, India from 1983-1986. The project consisted of four-storey apartment blocks located on twelve blocks totalling 2.87 acres. The apartment blocks had oblong-shaped spiraling staircases at exterior openings along the buildings' elevations. Located in Sector 44B, the apartments observed both the norms of the bank's staff quarters guidelines and the architectural control established in Chandigarh. This project was proposed in two phases, the second of which integrated public spaces, amenities and maintenance quarters into the campus. The project is recorded through drawings, textual records and a photograph dating from 1983-2003. About half the drawings are originals and included are plans, elevations, sections, details and structural and electrical drawings. Many of these are working drawings, but some presentation drawings are included. The textual records consist of specifications, reports, correspondence and the project contract. The photograph shows Aditya Prakash on the roof of the finished building.
Project
1983-2003
textual records
AP206.S2.029
Description:
File was originally housed in a binder along with content arranged in AP206.S2.024, AP206.S2.025, AP206.S2.026, AP206.S2.027 and AP206.S2.028. This file includes the following papers: "Human Settlements: A Self-Sustaining Approach" Letters to Aditya Prakash from Audrey Rose
1972-1978
Unpublished papers (folder 6 of 6)
Actions:
AP206.S2.029
Description:
File was originally housed in a binder along with content arranged in AP206.S2.024, AP206.S2.025, AP206.S2.026, AP206.S2.027 and AP206.S2.028. This file includes the following papers: "Human Settlements: A Self-Sustaining Approach" Letters to Aditya Prakash from Audrey Rose
textual records
1972-1978