ARCHITECTURE IN PAKISTAN

(From independence till end of 20

th
century)

1. ARCHITECTURE FROM 1947 TO MID 60s

a) THE FIRST GENERATION
At the time of independence, there were only a handful of local Architects who were trained under the
western idioms. The architects trained in the Western tradition naturally derived their inspiration from
the Modern Movement, the Bauhaus school, Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Most of the architects trained before 1947 had been to the J.J.School of Art in Bombay; several had
received further education abroad, usually in England. In the early 1950's this small band of officially
recognised architects came together to form the Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP) in 1957. It had 11
members, including 2 foreigners working in Pakistan: M.A. Ahed, Tajuddin Bhamani, Minoa Mistry, Pir
Mohammed, R.S. Rustumjee, H.H. Khan, M.A. Mirza, Abdul Hussain Thariani, Zahiruddin Khawaja,
Bloomfield and Peter Powell. Among the first generation of local architects, Pakistan found a very talented and
capable architect in Mehdi Ali Mirza. Mehdi Ali Mirza was deeply influenced by the architecture of Frank Lloyd
Wright. Mirza produced highly successful residences much influenced by the great American houses that Wright
had become famous for. He was given a pride of performance for his work.

The earliest public building designed by any Pakistani architect was State Bank of Pakistan. Architect M.A
Ahed, trained in England, was commissioned this project. His design philosophy was inspired from the
modem movement. The form and function are honestly portrayed in both main vault and auditorium. The
architectural composition of masses and volumes are well balanced. Khawaja Zahir Ud Din who joined
CDA and also trained in England, designed two mosques in sector G-6. The parabolic arches and domes in
fair face concrete, exposed brick walls and cylindrical minarets was a step forward from tradition to
modernity.

In 1960s, the planning for the new Capital Islamabad began, which led to a great spurt of enthusiasm in the
field of architecture and planning. The bureaucracy and leaders turned to the west. Doxiades Associates
produced the modernistic master plan of the city that placed buildings of national importance at the focal
point of the layout. Arne Jacobsens proposal was rejected for lacking "Islamic features and Louis Kahn
was commissioned next. Kahn's proposal for the Islamabad capitol was also rejected and criticized due to
the same reason. Edward Durrell Stone was awarded the project to design the Presidency Complex. Stone
produced a layout for the complex with a formal symmetry, in conformity with his understanding of Mughal
concepts. The President's House dominated the main axis of the national square, flanked by the Assembly
and Foreign Office at either end of the minor axis. The project was eventually modified to eliminate the
domes and arches and reduce the verandahs and overhanging canopies. The National Assembly and Foreign
Office buildings were given some austere facades. Construction on this revised design for the Presidency
started in 1975 and was completed in 1984. E.D. Stone went on to design the WAPDA House at Lahore, an
abominable white elephant. The secretariat complex at Islamabad, designed by Gia Ponti is a well-
integrated design. The use of water and terraces at many levels is reminiscent of Mughal landscaping. The
spaces are self-defined in a series of quiet enclosures which flow into each other through the building
masses. The spaces between the tall blocks are bridged by horizontal ducts, bringing them in harmony with
the landscape. Hence it was the influence of such foreign architects to which the first generation of local
architects inspired to.



b) THE YOUNGER GENERATION

Until the establishment of the PWD School of Architecture in Karachi, the only available training in
architecture within Pakistan had been at the Mayo School of Art in Lahore. It was not until 1958, when the
Mayo School of Art was upgraded to the National College of Art (NCA), that the first regular courses in
architecture became available within the country, and it was only in the mid-1960's that the first batch of
locally educated architects began to practice.

In the late sixties a number of architects returned to Pakistan after receiving their education from western
countries and started participating in the development activities of the country. The second generation of
Pakistani Architects showed some change in the architectural practice by taking into account some
consideration of our own land instead of purely following the western styles. Uptil now detailing in
traditional manner was considered to be the wastage of time. The graduates overcame, to some extent, the
shortage of practicing architects but they could not form their philosophy relevant to Pakistan in its socio-
economic, cultural and environmental context. Names like Yasmeen laari, Habib Fida Ali, N.A.Dada,
Unit four in khi, Javed Najam in lhr etc are prominent.

Anwar Saeed was the first most significant architect to join C.D.A after graduating from Liverpool. He
designed a number of mosques, churches, government officer's hostels, basic health units and other
buildings in Islamabad. His composition of bold masses and honesty in displaying structural elements
which made his buildings distinct compared with other buildings built for similar functions. He belongs to
constructivist and purist school within modem movement. He designed many commercial buildings in blue
area.


2. ARCHITECTURE IN 70s

The real contribution of Pakistani architects started in the early seventies when Government of
Pakistan established two firms to overcome the shortage of architects; Pakistan Environmental Planning
and Architectural Consultants (PEPAC) and National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK). Also
the development of Agha Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) played an important role in growth of
architecture. Its First cycle award took place in 1978-1980.

Although economic crises and Marshal Laws had their impact, along with oil crises, hindering development,
yet progress in architecture was seen. Zaheer ud Din Consultant, Karachi was commissioned to design
Sind House. They also designed Pakistan Agriculture Research Council in association with American
consultants. Their work was refreshing. In both the projects, they drew inspiration from traditional layouts
and vernacular tradition of architecture. The use of brickwork as principal building material with gable roof
derived from colonial bungalows of Murree and use of water in the form of pools, fountains, cascade and
canal remind the glory of Mughal landscape design.

The work of PEPAC was diverse in nature. The architects who joined it in its formative stages (such as
Anwar Pasha, Aleem Ashraf and Masood Ahmad Khan ) designed large projects throughout the
country. Each one of them has its own design philosophy. The design of boundary wall of NWFP House was
inspired from the traditional architecture of NWFP. It was built in rubble stone masonry with
semicircular towers placed at regular interval. The geometry and volumetric composition is successfully
handled. However, the twin cinema of NEFDAC is a simple bare mass in fair-face concrete. HBFC head
office, the first multistoried building in Blue area was also designed by PEPAC.

3. ARCHITECTURE IN 1980-1999

The 80s can be thought of as the most promising stage of architecture in Pakistan In 1983 the Pakistan
Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) was formed, to regulate and protect architectural
profession.
Regionalism and vernacular Architecture found its way into post-modernsim as every area had its own
specific climatic conditions. The best example is 700-bed Aga Khan University Hospital and Medical
College Karachi, which is probably the first building with this new approach, completed in 1985. Designed
by the American architects Payette Associates in conjunction with local consultants, the complex certainly
made a strong impact on contemporary architecture in Pakistan.
Another significant example of regionalism in architecture is The Karachi Grammar Kindergarten and
Junior School. Khawar Ghani and Parvez Ansari won the design competition. Their project began in
October 1989. The architectural expression of the campus is inspired from Postmodern ideas, with the use of
aesthetical features on faade with materials like brick and fair-face concrete.
Habib Fida Ali is also a pioneer of architecture who discovered the true essence of Architecture much
earlier in his career and chose a philosophical approach which was much needed for the maturity of
Architecture in Pakistan. Although a follower of modern movement, Habib Fida is also found to change his
approach where ever he thought appropriate. LUMS, Lahore University of Management Sciences was the
first large building of Habib Fidas that utilizes bricks which was an attempt to incorporate the local building
traditions of Lahore. The design was highly regarded.
Habib Fida Ali was not the only Architect bridging the gap between Regionalism and Modernization in the
1980s and 90s. Names like Nayyar Ali Dada, Kamil Khan Mumtaz, Pervaiz Vandal and Yasmeen Lari
are also observed on the panorama, doing amazing work with reference to their respective philosophies.
Although they were all trained under modernist ideologies, yet they all attempted to connect it with their
historical traditions. They tried to move away from the brand of International architecture and came closer to
home, thus bringing traditionalism and Regionalism on the scene with fair-faced red brick facades, broken
up by panels, grooves, jharokas and arched windows, creating substantial and monumental effects.
Another very significant buildings, completed in 1984 is the Shah Faisal Mosque, design by Vedat
Dalokay, a Turkish architect, with its simple straight forward covering of a large space by four double
diagonal supports counter-balanced by the four minarets was appreciated as a satisfactory solution.

4. PIONEERS OF POST MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN PAKISTAN

As Modern architecture, in the 1950s, was functional and moral solution to the problem of how to build. The
truth was somewhat different. Architecture like the planet it stands on has always been changing. When Modern
architecture matured to the degree of extent it basically exploded into a kaleidoscope of new forms and styles:
Postmodernism, High-tech, Organic, Classical revival and Deconstructivism. Jonathan Glancy

In Pak, the pioneers of PM were;

Ejaz Ahad
Habib Fida Ali
Nayer Ali Dada
Arshad Abdullah

U.S.A graduate Ejaz Ahed, of Ahed Associates formerly worked with SOM. He designed PIC Towers
Karachi, one of the first high-rises, a 16 storey building which is the first postmodern structure in Pakistan
with curved walls and a louvered facade, which was a healthy change from the simple, straight and
predictable modern buildings, being constructed everywhere. The 21-story Habib bank Tower, Islamabad
at the time of its completion in 1986, was Islamabads tallest building and became a model for tower designs
throughout Pakistan. The collaboration of postmodern and regional concepts is also seen in his Aga Khan
Sports and Rehabilitation Complex Karachi
Commercial Union Office building in Karachi also highlights the postmodern ideas being utilized by
Habib Fida Ali. The building, which completed in 1992, has a unique plan in terms of its approach and
functionality of different spaces. An otherwise simple form has been made outstanding by the use of a
projected triangular shade, supported by 2 traingular columns.
Arshad Abdullah of ASA is among the most talented slot of the Contemporary Architects of Pakistan. He
has to his credits many projects which have proved to be of landmark nature in Karachi, Lahore &
Islamabad. His commitment has produced a balanced and logical approach to innovative designs and his
ultimate focus, it seems, has always been on the creation of a responsive environment catering to the needs
of the user. NIC building in Islamabad is one such example. The building which completed in 1993 in the
Blue area. The building, with a square plan tower with glass areas on all four sides, also has well designed
shading devices, according to the sun path. In MCB landmark in Islamabad, which completed in 1998, the
available space is well utilized and a strong modern structure was designed with appropriately defined and
balanced front elevation, with the monotony of solid masses broken with the help of large glass areas and
window openings, keeping all in square forms
Among the Pakistani trained architects Nayyar Ali Dada emerged one of the most creative architects. His
work is composed of bold masses of simple geometrical form. He also won Aga Khan Award for
architecture for the design of Alhamra Arts Council at Lahore. Nayyer work is wide ranging and varied
from client to client. His first project in Islamabad was International Labor Office building, designed
along the modern lines, although the excessive use of glass in Pakistani climate is unjustifiable. In Punjab
House the double height verandahs do not protect guest rooms from heavy rains and therefore water enters
the rooms, spoil carpets. His other projects such as Oil and Gas Development Corporation office
building and Comsit head office in modern and post modern international style are most significant.
The Serena hotel is his best work in post modern Pakistani style. Here traditional vocabulary and craft
tradition has been used in an intelligent manner to make this hotel building relevant to the time and place.
The proportion and composition of masses and interior volume are excellently worked out using the
indigenous art and craft tradition. Up till the late 80s he worked on the vernacular traditional styles and
became a master of it. In the 90s, he brought a new dimension to post modern architecture using new ideas,
construction materials and technologies. An important building to discuss here is the EFU House in
Lahore, built in 1996. The building projects a very compact yet elegant impression and blends
harmoniously with its immediate built environment.

5. MODERNISM REVIVED IN THE ARCHITECTURE OF PAKISTAN

In Pakistan modernism was never really ever discarded, even when PM ensued. The prominent example in this
regard is The Jinnah Terminal, in Karachi. Frankfurt based Architectural Firm, Air consult, designed the new
terminal for Karachi International Airport. In July 1992 the new terminal building was opened in for public use.
Air consult handled the terminal project in association with NESPAK. Like other major public buildings
designed by NESPAK, The Jinnah Terminal, being a modern building, externally and internally, reflects the
contemporary Pakistan, mirroring the continuity, the evolution and the dynamics of its culture, and society

The revival of Modernism also led to a few other significant structures which have an important place in the
shaping up of contemporary architecture of Pakistan. Contributions of Ejaz Ahed should be highly regarded on
this front as well. Ahed associates one of the important projects in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust worth
mentioning here is the AKESP -The Aga Khan Professional Development Center in Gilgit, completed in
2002. The complex has the privilege to be documented in the atlas of World Architecture. The campus employs
all local materials, along with earthquake resistant and heat insulation technology developed by the Building and
Construction Improvement Program (BACIP). BACIP is headed by the Aga Khan Building and Planning
Services, and has established many innovative works to improve the lives of the locals in the Northern Areas of
Pakistan


6. AN UNDEFINED ARCHITECTURAL PANORAMA- THE LATE 90s

The 90s saw emergence of new approaches of the architects towards architecture;
Develop certain philosophies for their architecture.
Formulating strategies to earn

Due to global pressures and influences, the sense of direction of Pakistani architecture became confused. If 'time'
has some meaning than the 'place' also has much relevance in the physical expression of architectural
form. The architecture in Pakistan was inspired greatly by western eclecticism, classicism, modernism and, in
some cases, deconstructionism. They have little sense of place, or uniqueness to the locale, or a connection to the
distinct set of conditions within which they evolve. The revival of the traditional architecture was limited only to
the cladding of load bearing structures with traditional brick tiles forgetting the spirit of the traditional
architecture as well as the context of time. Buildings like The Forum, Krachi, designed by Habib fida Ali and
Landmark Plaza, Lahore by Khalid Rehman, are just some of the view representing this confusion.In addition,
the western architects faulsely typecast the much varying rich and diversified muslim architecture into the rigid
and limiting category of Islamic architecture, depriving it of its depth, but merely representing stick-on
elements as its basic feratures. Another major factor that affects the quality of architecture is the limitation of
architects to develop on their own creative philosophies. Bureaucrats, military personnel or landlords play a
major role in limiting this growth and free choice. In a society where there is absence of dialogue and
encouragement of young talent, how art and architecture can grow.