Nariman (Nari) Dossabhai Gandhi (1934–1993) was an Indian architect known for his highly innovative works in organic architecture. He practiced as an architect in India from 1964 to 1993 having worked on approximately 27 projects.Jalia 2008, p. 36 He primarily focused on designing residences with a secondary focus on designing furniture, objects, and upholstery textiles.Jalia 2008, p. 36, p. 106

Early life and education Nari Gandhi was born on 2 January 1934 in Surat to a Zoroastrian Parsi family based in Mumbai.Jalia 2008, p. 84 He was one of the six children and had three brothers and two sisters.

He completed his primary and secondary education at St. Xavier's High School located in Fort, Mumbai. He then attended the Sir J. J. School of Art in Mumbai and pursued the diploma program in architecture until 1956.Jalia 2008, p. 11, p. 13 During his time at the Sir J. J. School of Art, he was acquainted with Rustom Patell, a former Taliesin (1949-1952), who, in turn, introduced him to a colleague from Taliesin, Mansinh Rana (1947-1951).Hawker 2007, p. 2-4, cited in Jalia 2008, p. 14 Upon recommendation from Rana, he left the Sir J. J. School of Art without completing his formal education to join Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin.

Taliesin Following his departure from the Sir J. J. School of Art, Nari Gandhi attended Taliesin from October 1956 through December 1961.Jalia 2008, p. 15 The time spent training and collaborating with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin heavily influenced Gandhi's views on organic architecture.Jalia 2008, p. 9 The environment at Taliesin was conducive for artists to explore and engage in various forms of artistic express; it was here that, along with architecture, he became interested in stonework and pottery.Hawker 2007, p. 2 cited in Jalia 2008, p. 17

His interest in stonework helped him leave an enduring mark at Taliesin. He once ignored the mandatory Sunday breakfast with Frank Lloyd Wright and Olgivanna Lloyd Wright to instead drag a large stone that he had discovered in the mountains down to the Taliesin campus. This stone—referred to as Eagle Stone or more rarely as Nari's Rock—was erected at the entrance of the Taliesin campus.Jalia 2008, p. 17

He befriended architect Bruce Goff during his time at Taliesin.Jalia 2008, p. 19 After leaving Taliesin, he briefly worked with architect Warren Webber before studying pottery, weaving, ceramics, photography, and woodcarving at Kent State University.Hawker 2007, p. 9 cited in Jalia 2008, p. 26

Career Following his studies at Kent State University, Nari Gandhi returned to India to practice as an independent architect.Jalia 2008, p. 26 He owned an office space on Nepeansea Road near Malabar Hill in South Mumbai but it was rarely occupied and used.Jalia 2008, p. 35 He was not a registered architect with the Indian Institute of Architects so the legal permits for his projects were obtained by an architect-friend, Dady Banaji, and other associates.Jalia 2008, p. 33

He practiced as an architect in India from 1964 to 1993 having worked on approximately 27 projects. He primarily focused on designing residences (apartments, penthouses, farm houses, beach houses) with a secondary focus on designing furniture, objects, and upholstery textiles.

His work-team included Pravin Bhayani—acknowledged by Gandhi as his 'troubleshooter'—and Arvind Soni—who was responsible for the on-site labour force.Jalia 2008, p. 44

Architectural style

Nari Gandhi was known for his highly innovative works in organic architecture that blended elements unique to India with the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright. He developed an integrated architectural style that considered the local climate, tropical lifestyle, and artisanship in collaboration with the craftsmen and masons on site. Labor-intensive methods were intrinsic to his work, which showed a refined sense of materials with an extraordinary use of clay, stone, brick, wood, glass, and leather.Jalia 2008, p. 34

Recurring themes in his work include extended roof slopes that touch the ground, arched structural design, preservation of and building around on-site trees, and obscuring the interior-exterior distinction. The idea of constant growth and change, as evident through rebuilding, rearranging, and extending, was also present in his work.Jalia 2008, p. 48

Personal life

Nari Gandhi was a practicing Zoroastrian Parsi who dressed plainly in white, khadi fabric kurta pyjamas, a Parsi top, and Kolhapuri chappals. He was a bachelor and a teetotaler. He was influenced by the ideas of the Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.

He died in a car accident on 18 August 1993 while on a visit to a client's site.

Selected works

Jal Gobhai's mountain lodge (Lonavala)Hawker 2007, p. 10-11 cited in Jalia 2008, p. 37-39 Asha Parekh's Akruti residence (Juhu, Mumbai)Jalia 2008, p. 40 Valia resident (Vile-Parle, Mumbai)Hawker 2007, p. 14 cited in Jalia 2008, p. 41 Interior design for Vasant Seth's penthouse (Mumbai)Hawker 2007, p. 15 cited in Jalia 2008, p. 43 Sam Dastoor's weekend house (Madh Island, Mumbai)Jalia 2008, p. 43-46 Vasant Seth's beach houseJalia 2008, p. 43 Landscape and furniture design for Moondust (Versova) Sadruddin Daya's Revdanda residence (Revdanda, Maharashtra)Jalia 2008, p. 54 Sadruddin Daya's Mark Haven apartment (Coloba, Mumbai)Jalia 2008, p. 57 Suryakant Patel's residence (Surat, Gujarat) Interior design for Mr. Malik Tejani's apartment (Kanchanjunga, Mumbai)Jalia 2008, p. 58 Rustom Mehta's residence (Korlai, Maharashtra)Jalia 2008, p. 61 Jain (co-owners of the Times of India group) bungalow (Lonavala)Hawker 2007, p. 36 cited in Jalia 2008, p. 65 Kishore Bajaj's farmhouse (Karjat)Jalia 2008, p. 68 Nasir Jamal's penthouse (Colaba, Mumbai)Jalia 2008, p. 72 Abu Asim Azmi's penthouse (Colaba, Mumbai) Sadruddin Daya's Madh Island house (Madh Island, Mumbai) (unfinished)Jalia 2008, p. 76 Malik Tejani's Tungarli bungalow (Lonavala)Jalia 2008, p. 79 Madhusthali Vidyapeeth girls school (Madhpur, Jharkhand) (unfinished)Jalia 2008, p. 81

Notes

References Jalia, Aftab Amirali. (2008). Refiguring the Sketch: The Nari Gandhi Cartographic (MSc). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Hawker, Michael C. (2007). "Celebrating the life and work of Nari Gandhi". Friends of Kebyar. Volume 23.1, Issue No. 72.

Further reading