Question

The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya in Ahmedabad, with its simple structures and focus on natural elements, showcases the work of which architect?

• A. Charles Correa
• B. Laurie Baker
• C. B.V. Doshi
• D. Hasmukh C Patel

Hint:

(Z) \textbf{Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya (Gandhi Memorial Museum)} at Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad.
([) Designed by architect \textbf{Charles Correa}. Completed in 1963.
(\) Known for its simple, human-scale structures, use of local materials, courtyards, and harmony with Gandhian ideals and the ashram environment.
(]) It is a significant work in post-independence Indian modern architecture.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya (Gandhi Memorial Museum) located at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a museum dedicated to the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi. This building, completed in 1963, is known for its modest scale, use of simple materials (brick, stone, timber, tiled roofs), open and airy pavilions, courtyards, and integration with the natural landscape, reflecting Gandhian philosophies. The architect who designed the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya at Sabarmati Ashram is Charles Correa. This was one of his early and significant works that established his reputation for climate-responsive and culturally sensitive modern architecture in India. Let's consider the other architects:
(W) (b) Laurie Baker: Known as the "architect of the poor," Baker worked extensively in Kerala, India, pioneering cost-effective, energy-efficient, and vernacular-inspired architecture, often using local materials like brick and tile. While his philosophy aligns with simplicity and natural elements, he did not design the Sabarmati Sangrahalaya.
(X) (c) B.V. Doshi (Balkrishna Doshi): A highly influential Indian architect who worked with Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn. His work combines modernist principles with Indian traditions and context. He designed many significant buildings in Ahmedabad (e.g., IIM Ahmedabad (with Kahn), CEPT University, Amdavad ni Gufa). He did not design the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya at Sabarmati.
(Y) (d) Hasmukh C Patel: Another prominent architect from Ahmedabad, known for a wide range of projects including institutional, commercial, and residential buildings. His style is characterized by functionalism and clarity. He did not design this specific museum. Therefore, the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya in Ahmedabad at the Sabarmati Ashram was designed by Charles Correa. \[ \boxed{\text{Charles Correa}} \]