The Characteristic Elements Of Baker's Style.

In architects word:
IF HE MERELY WANTS TO SHOW OFF OR FLAUNT HIS WEALTH, I DON'T TAKE
HIM ON. OTHERWISE, I ENJOY GETTING TO KNOW HIM (OR HER, A FAMILY,
AN INSTITUTION OR EVEN A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT).

• BEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF BAKERS WORK IS ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL(1973-

74) IN TIRUVALLA. IT HAS A CIRCULAR PLAN AND IS BUILT OF LOCAL
MATERIALS: GRANITE PIERS, BRICK IN-FILL PANELS, BRICK GRILL WORK.
• THE ROOF IS SUPPORTED ON SOARING LAMINATED WOOD TRUSSES THE
CEILING IS VAULTED AND BUILDING HAS DORMER WINDOWS
.EXTERNALLY THE BUILDING IS ALMOST HINDU TEMPLE LIKE
APPEARANCE.
 CONTR
• HIS WORK A
CO
EFFECTIVEN
FOR NATUR
WASTAGE M
. FOUNDATION C
While the jalis, the traditional roofs, the stepped arches, the overhanging eaves and the skylights
etc., are some of the well-known elements that characterize Baker's style, it is his high regard
for nature that makes him unique.
In any project, Baker is particularly sensitive to the existing contours and the other elements
present on the site. Before planning anything; the location of each tree is taken into
consideration. Even the levels in his design are not artificially created but are made to follow
existing contours or steep slopes on the site.
Baker strongly believes in the optimum use of the locally available materials, which are
appropriate to the existing climatic conditions. The local materials like brick, tile, lime, palm
thatch, stone, granite and laterite thus replace the conventional steel and glass of modern
architecture. These materials suit the hot, wet and humid climate of Kerala and also encourage
minimal use of non-renewable resources.
Concrete is rarely used; most often in a folded slab design. The waste and discarded tiles are
used as fillers, thereby making the roof light and inexpensive.

Glass windows, frames and sills are replaced by traditional jalis. One can easily recognize
Baker's structures by the presence of jalis on them. The jali used in Baker's structure, is a
perforated screen made of bricks. The bricks are placed in a peculiar fashion so as to produce
tiny regular openings in the walls. This jali catches light and air and diffuses glare; while
allowing for privacy and security; thus acting as a window and a ventilator both at the same time.
It encourages airflow, yet the construction of this form of ventilation requires neither special
materials nor special skills.
Where contemporary architects seek to impose control on nature by shutting it out with the
advantage of artificial ventilation and temperature control system; Baker does exactly the
opposite. Being sensitive to nature; he skillfully manipulates the natural elements to gain
thermal comfort. In the canteen of Center of Development Studies; the high latticed brick walls
and a pond are used to draw air across it's surface and cool the building - a cooling system
achieved in a vernacular way. Also by gently stepping up the singly loaded building at C.D.S.,
he attempts to create continuous breezeways to temper the humid climate in a deceptively simple
way.

Centre Of Development Studies in Ulloor

BY Pratiksha Porwal

I n 1967,Laurie Baker was asked to design a Centre for Research in

Applied Economics, in Ulloor; a suburb of Trivandrum. This turned out to be
one of the most important projects of his career.
On over a land of nine acres; have been accommodated the administrative
offices, a computer center, housing and other components of an institutional
design. The design exhibits a range of concepts applied by Laurie Baker, to
the individual buildings as per suiting to their needs of function, scale, and
dimensions. Also these buildings are a good example of the saying
‘Form Follows Function’.
construction features used in the structure are: -

.Foundation constructed of random rubble mixed in lime surkhi mortar; (lime manufactured
from manufactured from sea shells on the site).
· Super structure of load bearing brick.
· Slabs are of filler tiles; whereas flooring is a mixture of local quarry tiles.
· Windows are made out of jack wood.
· Bathrooms are plastered, rest all surfaces either exposed or whitewashed.
· The precast stair treads used in circular stair tower are made of filler slab and bamboo
reinforcement.
· Roofs are of folded concrete slab. READ FULL TEXT[C.ELDOC.6009467]