The spacious lobby of the swanky building on Greams Road was a befitting venue for professionals to open a treasure chest of memories about India’s premier architect Charles Correa, who died earlier this week.
On a rainy Saturday evening, architects and students in Chennai gathered at the headquarters of MRF Tyres to share their association with the iconic architect. Interesting facts about the buildings that he created, concepts behind them and stories of Mr. Correa were shared among the audience at the meeting organised by Chennai Architecture Foundation.
Calling on youngsters to emulate the ideas of Mr. Correa and his passion for architecture, Chennai’s architects recollected his expertise as an urban planner who believed in the use of courtyards, terraces and open-to-sky spaces and noted how his works were ahead of time.
Mr. Correa was also remembered as a profound philosopher and as one who advocated for public spaces to bring in people of all walks of life. K.M. Mammen, chairman and managing director of MRF Tyres, said the building designed by Mr. Correa was inaugurated in December 1991. “We still maintain the building according to his standards,” he said.
Some participants also wanted his statues to be erected in Parliament and public places.
Pramod Balakrishnan, one of the trustees of Chennai Architect Foundation, said he learnt that architecture does not mean construction of a structure alone. Mr. Correa’s works still remain a guide to many architects.
A video featuring Mr. Correa’s talk titled ‘My work, my thoughts’ was also screened on the occasion.
