AAJ -

Anand Aptay and Jhabvala (AAJ) believed that architecture is a useful art, meant to build communities and create functional spaces. Their buildings were characterized by the framed concrete construction of the time, exposed and patterned brickwork, brick arches, brick or tile jaalis, textured masonry and stone flooring.

Their style was unselfconscious, self-confident and efficient, appropriate for a fledgling democracy seeking to define and assert its position in the world.  Their buildings were true to purpose and need, sensitive to cost and context, conscious of climate and local traditions. At the same time, their style was functional, modern and understated. Professor Jhabvala eschewed the call for modern buildings with “national character” which, he believed, would only lead to sham architecture. At the same time he rejected the approach of adopting foreign architectural forms which he declared as false and artificial as sticking on domes and arches.

“National character in building changes and develops as building techniques change and develop. Since reinforced concrete has replaced stone, the domes and arches, so highly recommended as evidence of national architecture, are outmoded building forms, bits of anachronism stuck incongruously onto buildings which have no need of them.” CSH Jhabvala, Seminar on Architecture 1959.