The architecture workshop in exhibition mode
© 2011 EPFL
Perpetuating local know-how and re-establishing a dialog between the various building trades are essential elements of the Indian architect Bijoy Jain’s work. Within the context of Archizoom, he doesn’t exhibit his work, but rather his workshop. A visit full of surprises!
You would only need the noise of the tools, the conversations in Hindi, and the ambient heat to have the impression of actually being there. More than an exhibition, “Work-Place” is an atmosphere. Models, prototypes, tools, samples of materials, furniture, Studio Mumbai has recreated its world of work in the Archizoom premises. This astonishing installation can be seen until April 23.
It was at the invitation of Sejima Kazuyo, architect of the Rolex Learning Center, that Bijoy Jain has recreated for the first time his studio at the Venice Biennial in 2010. Like her, he likes clean forms and space. Indian-born, the architect studied and worked for several years in the United States. He went back to his country in 1995 to create an innovative workshop: the workers are closely involved with each step of the construction work. Originating from a caste of workers, masons, carpenters or stone-cutters, have acquired a know-how transmitted from generation from generation . This continuity enables the production of a local architecture, with indigenous lines and materials, right down to the fine details: door handles, chairs, or garden. Even the tools used are designed in the workshop. The outlines are hand-drawn and reference points are marked directly on the model. The process obviously takes longer for each project, but for Bijoy Jain “what matters is to continue to do simple things well day after day”.
His astonishing creations are linked to his philosophy: “There are many sources of inspiration if you observe keenly and pay attention. Before we establish fixed ideas about what architecture should be, we should first conscientiously decode the mechanisms in play; that is, why things are done in a particular way and not in another?” Studio Mumbai is beginning to acquire fame and to get commissions at international level.
In parallel with the exhibition, on Thursday, April 14, there will be a conference (auditorium SG1 at 18:30) given by Diébédo Francis Kéré, who is of Ugandan origin. Working first as a carpenter, he then studied architecture in Germany, and now has building projects all over the world. He received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2004.