Architecture and Nation Building – Integrating Regional Sentiments into a National Identity

This essay was written by Ar. Shubhayan M in response to the International Essay Competition 2020 held by the Council of Architecture, India. It won the third prize in the Young Architect Category. Results were declared on the 15th of August, 2020.

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The profession of architecture interacts in complex ways with society and its avenues! Despite housing being one of the three necessities for survival, the Indian population hasn’t come to terms with architecture being an essential service yet! Be it a lack of awareness, or the misconception that ‘architects serve the elite’, or a loophole in the Indian Constitution that makes an architect’s signature optional, Indians hardly go for an expert opinion before indulging in building their dreams. These, combined with the economics of hiring an architect make us an optional existence for the grassroots population looking to build their dream homes – in short, the lack of faith is evident. Keeping aside the role of architecture in larger projects, this poor acceptance of the service we provide presents itself as the highest road-block in an architect’s attempt to serve his community, and by virtue of his citizenship, his nation.

An attempt to look at the connection between architecture and its service to the nation by bypassing this disconnect produces a warped perspective – an illusory glorification in the Indian context. While architects have played their fair share of role in building this country pre and post-independence, their input till-date has been majorly sporadic, limited mostly to instances where socio-political forces demanded a statement, resulting in our contribution being examples of iconicism with a sublime portrayal of elite consciousness. Being a fraternity which mostly works within the ‘consultant available for hire’ model of providing services, our role has been restricted to ‘from commission till completion of projects’ awarded by agencies and institutions of the public and private sectors of the country. All the aforementioned factors come together in creating a complex ecosystem in which defining a straight role of architecture in the process of nation-building becomes almost impossible – a forced connection results in dire oversimplification.

As such, it becomes imperative to dwell upon the factors that control the relationship between architecture and nation-building before one can establish a connection, direct or otherwise. Whereas the definition of architectural services is pretty straightforward, the concept of Nation Building presents us with multiple strings to pull. Thus, understanding Nation-Building, and by extension, the idea of a Nation itself is an important prerequisite in this case.

Definition of a Nation – creating a unique Identity

What is a nation? Can it be defined as a conglomeration of communities indigenous to the land or migrated, enclosed within a boundary that’s decided by global geopolitics? Or is it an Idea – an identity that’s guided by common morale and a spiritual principle based on the collective past? Does the nation encompass all that’s tangible – the geographies and the life that reside within its boundaries? Or is it the manifestation of the intangible principles and identities that the individuals it consists of hold dear, and live by? A practical definition unites both of them – the intangible gives shape to the doctrines that the tangible live by, thereby creating a unified entity- a Nation.

Benedict Anderson in his book ‘Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism’ states that “Modern nations are Imagined Communities – people without face-to-face knowledge of other members, but bound by a shared perception of (national) identity”. Although there are other definitions of a Nation, the particular instance of India fits aptly in Anderson’s idea of nations being imagined communities! Since its formal establishment in 1947, India has maintained a rich tradition of pluralism and cultural toleration. A nation so rich in communities that vary widely in their beliefs and rituals, India rightly fits the bill as a nation that portrays ‘Unity in Diversity’. Delving into the plural character of the nation is hardly a necessity – a country that experiences a change in its vocal dialects every fifteen to twenty kilometers and portrays visible differences in the lifestyles of communities of its individual states is indeed truly diverse and plural in character. A conglomeration of countless communities, all of whom has had invaluable contribution towards establishing a cultural backbone of the country – the identity of India as a nation truly is multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and multi-ethnic in nature.

Nation-building is the process whereby a society of people with diverse origins, histories, languages, cultures, and religions come together within the boundaries of a sovereign state with a unified constitutional and legal dispensation, a national public education system, an integrated national economy, shared symbols and values, as equals, to work towards eradicating the divisions and injustices of the past; to foster unity; and promote a countrywide conscious sense of being proudly (national), committed to the country and open to the continent and the world. ^[1]

The 5I’s of Nation Building

Every nation in its journey of building itself relies on the 5I’s – Infrastructure, Institution, Individuals, Intellect, and Ideology. A country that has been successful in establishing these five distinct components will, in due course emerge as a strong entity in the world. Infrastructure moves parallel to Institution, and a country with well-planned infrastructure and strong institutional support paves the path for the education of its Individuals and the development of Intellect amongst them. This intellectual power in turn gives birth to multiple Ideologies by which the various communities live by! While infrastructure, institutions, and individuals can be considered as tangible assets for a nation, intellect and ideologies form the intangible assets that guide the institutions and citizen individuals into action.

Models of Nation Building

There can be two primary models of Nation Building- Constructive & Deconstructive. While constructive progress implies accepting the past and building upon the same, deconstructive progress implies distortion of history and demolition of existing resources in a bid to re-write the national identity. Constructive nation-building entices co-option and coexistence, a peaceful approach wherein individuals come together to share the glories and wounds of the past and agrees to bear the burden collectively, moving forward to create an inclusive model of development. Deconstructivism on the other hand, attempts to distort the national history which stands at the center of a nation’s identity. It promotes the concept of a ‘usable past’ ^[2]. As the name suggests, usable past refers to picking up selective incidents of the past that is favorable to a certain cause, political or otherwise while deforming certain other events to fit the narrative. This usable past then is widely used as a piece of propaganda machinery for retrofitting the existing national identity by rebuilding a common conscience amongst the individuals.

While both these models rely heavily on the intangible aspects of nation-building, one by accepting the past and another by manipulating it, one needs to understand that after a nation has achieved stability, it is the intangible aspects that control the tangible aspects, thereby steering the direction of nation-building to its own favor. However, it goes beyond doubt that both models, irrespective of their moral validities are in practice today, and discussing only one would be partiality to this discussion.

Architecture, Multi-ethnicity & Cultural Conservation

The constructive model of nation-building finds extensive support in the Constitution of India for being a community-driven, inclusive approach that upholds the principles of secularism and socialism, by establishing equality amongst its multiple cultural lineages as its backbone. In this model, the forces in action take valuable lessons from the past and implement it in all future developmental activities. Most of our history manifests itself in built-forms, as remnants of a past, distant or otherwise. The conservation of such tangible heritage directly comes under the purview of architecture – conservation architects play a pivotal role in such efforts. There exist multiple agencies for heritage conservation worldwide, with The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage taking the center stage in India. While one might argue that conservation isn’t essentially a nation-building activity, it is important to note that the icons which render a nation its identity in the international roundtable deserve care and attention. As such, maintaining and repairing these icons tantamount to preserving the identity, and hence, is an active part of nation (re)building. International platforms like the Aga Khan Development Network works on a global scale in areas like cultural and economic development, education, food security, health, habitat, and humanitarian assistance. Having set their foot strongly in the heritage restoration sector, these bodies are furthering the cause of nation-building by promoting community participation, research, and development by holding on to historic craftsmanship, materials, and design concepts.

A contemporary example would be the reconstruction of the Notre-Dame de Paris, which was ravaged in a deadly fire in 2019. While calls and competitions have been inviting proposals for rebuilding the iconic monument, the decision of the French Government to restore the cathedral to its previous state to the smallest detail has been welcomed by all. Conservationists involved in the process are also inclined towards usage of originally used materials over the lighter and modern materials such as metals and PVC alternatives. In an exclusive interview of Ar. Eric Wirth, vice president of the Guild of French Architects, Artnet News reported him saying – “The most modern material, the most ecological today is wood. It is the only one that traps carbon.” ^[3] He also noted its natural fire resistance, stating that “Notre Dame has been there for 800 years. If the structure had been made of steel, there would be no cathedral to speak of today”. ^[3]

 Architecture, Democracy & Elite Consciousness

Architects have, over time, been party to multiple instances where they turned out to be indirect agents of the manifestation of the elite consciousness. While one might argue that the elite bureaucrats are democratically elected to power, it is important to counter-note that most proposals concerning large scale, strategic projects that are put forward by the ruling Centre are done without any direct public consultation. And, as is the case, foreign influences reign superior in such endeavors. It was Ar. Edwin Lutyens and Ar. Harbert Baker who designed the Parliament Building of India upon receiving a commission from the British during the 1920’s. Despite being commissioned by an imperialist force, the architect was inspired by an Indian temple, and the design and usage of materials appear contextual. The highly revered city of Chandigarh, which happens to be the dream project of our first prime minister, Pt. Nehru was designed by Ar. Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, popularly known as Le Corbusier. He also went on to design the famous Capitol Complex of the city. While all these and many more developments were early aspects of nation-building, they also were the symbolism of elite dominance.

However, with the gradual change of the elites in positions of power and governance, there have been shifts in the national identity. Take for example, the controversy surrounding the Taj Mahal being a Hindu Temple. While no conclusive evidence is present, establishing a monument that stands at the apex of the Indian image as a Hindu Temple remodeled into a mausoleum by the Mughals will send tremors down the concept of the Indian Identity. The historic Kenilworth Hotel in Kolkata sacrificed itself for The 42, an ultra-luxurious skyscraper designed by Ar. Hafeez Contractor. The demolition of the Hall of Nations and Hall of Industries that was made as a commemorative to indicate 25 years of Indian Independence by Ar. Raj Rewal was recently demolished to make way for modern facilities despite the architect insisting that retrofitting would serve the purpose. The current Central Vista Redevelopment that proposes a new parliament building amongst many others has been branded as the brainchild and a long-standing dream of the current Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi. Being substantiated by Ar. Bimal Patel and his team, this project aims to distort the colonial heritage by imposing newer narratives that serve the state’s immediate purposes.

From the examples, it is evident that the past, which was commissioned by elites and executed by architects have been repeatedly erased and distorted by the elites at the helm of democracy during more recent times in a bid to create a ‘usable past’, again aided by the expertise of architects! Be it creation, or re-writing of history, the role of architecture in the state’s play of power and policies is palpable.

Building Rural India – Make Vernacular Great Again

The rural population in India was reported at 65.97 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources^.[4] Comparing this to the concentration of architects in the country exposes a stark picture – rural India has only a minuscule of architects, with a majority of them being located in metropolitan and urban centers. While most metropolitan and urban spots have been brimming full, the semi-urban and rural areas of the country are slowly experiencing reverse migration. With people coming back to their roots, the sense of connection with one’s country and the realization of self-identity is resurging. As such, the development and growth of the rural countryside forms a major drive of Indian nation-building in this decade. The necessity of proper planning and infrastructure is important, along with the creation of adequate opportunities for the residents to become self-reliant.

The decentralization of the architecture hubs to distribute architects in the rural sectors is a job that needs to be done by the Government. Architects can play an important role in the planning of rural areas that are majorly under-developed, and relooking at existing infrastructures in places that are relatively well off. Along with this, comes the motto of ‘Go Local’ – the search for indigenous materials, methods of constructions and technologies should commence pan-India. While working in tandem with the local builders and craftsmen, architects should attempt to mobilize the knowledge that has been passed down through generations, and document it for the future. This, along with participation from the community will ensure the creation of a sustainable environment, one which is conducive to the spirit of progressive nation-building.

There is no doubt that the glass-box architecture which was the result of Globalization serves well the interests of the corporates; however, imposing the same on rural India will tantamount to the murder of indigenous identity and knowledge systems.

It is time to embrace our local identities back, and establish a lifestyle by building with what is truly ours.
It’s time to make vernacular identities great again.

Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore had in 1901, with the establishment of the quaint town of Shantiniketan, set up a world-class hub that went on to become one of the most sought after educational towns, internationally. While not an architect, he realized the importance of place-making in shaping up young minds for tomorrow! Ar. Laurie Baker has, with his revolutionary work that revolves around the humble usage of materials and techniques, given back more to the society than he has ever taken. Ar. Charles Correa is celebrated for his attention towards the sustainable use of materials. Credited for the creation of modern architecture in post-independent India, all his works are exemplary portrayals of the contemporary Indian architectural iconicism.

 Policies for the Future

While it is established that architecture has had a limited role when it comes to the building of nations until now, it’s important to note that the fault isn’t ours. We have been always viewed as a consultant available for hire. We have hardly been members of committees that engage in the strategic planning of the roadmaps for a nation’s growth. As such, our role has been primarily limited to yeoman service – ready to execute visions of people in power and capital. Nation-building has majorly been the job of politicians and administrative services, in both of which, there hardly are any architects present.

While the current relationship between architecture and nation-building is pretty troublesome, establishing one solid bond is of utmost importance for the future of the country. The following points enumerate possible steps that should be put on cards to ensure that the architecture fraternity gets to have an active voice in the process of building up our nation.

1. Building a national consensus on the essentiality of a well-designed space with the help of government-run awareness programs.
2. Ensuring that the involvement of an architect is made mandatory for constructions of all scale, public, or private by introducing necessary amendments in the constitution.
3. Absorbing architects into the government infrastructure and uniformly spreading them across the country with a major focus on Rural India.
4. Introduction of adequate government policies to ensure the availability of architectural services to the economically underprivileged and minority sections of the population.
5. Utilizing the potential of the millennial workforce adequately by providing hands-on training about vernacular materials and their applications, rural management, and leadership qualities.
6. Repair and up-gradation of the existing infrastructure.
7. Special focus on redevelopment activities post natural disasters – an architect’s presence in the relief and redevelopment committee will ensure that urban scale discrepancies don’t occur.
8. Taking enough pride in the history of oneself and one’s region, as well as being proud of all other regional identities that constitute the national identity.

If acting in isolation, the potential of architecture in spearheading the nation-building process is substantially limited. For anyone who understands the processes, it isn’t hard to comprehend that without active policy level support of the government at all levels, there isn’t much that can be done.

The relationship between architecture and nation-building is one that has to be recognized by the bureaucracy, and adequate opportunities have to be given to our fraternity for the realization of a strong partnership.

Designers as we are, the power of building the tangible entities that form the foundation of the regional lineages rests with us! These regional distinctions, in turn, consolidates into a national identity. Thus, architecture plays a major role in shaping both the tangible and intangible aspects of the nation, and with the legislature by its side, it can go a long way into the creation of the ideal Nation-State.

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Bibliography:

1. What is nation-building: http://www.dac.gov.za/content/5-what-nation-building

2. Casey Nelson Blake: The Usable Past, the Comfortable Past, and the Civic Past: Memory in Contemporary America: https://www.jstor.org/stable/656660?seq=1

3. Katie White: Notre Dame’s Roof Might Be Reconstructed With the Same Wood Used Centuries Ago — Because It’s More Fire-Resistant Than You Think; https://news.artnet.com/art-world/notre-dame-wood-reconstrction-1750209

4. India- Rural Population: https://tradingeconomics.com/india/rural-population-percent-of-total-population-wb-data.html

Written by Ar. Shubhayan M. Feature image has been sourced from the internet.

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