Balkrishna Doshi wins Royal Gold Medal 2022
![]() |
Amdavad Ni Gudfa, Ahmedabad, India, 1994 by Balkrishna Doshi |
Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi was born in Pune, the 7th most populated city in India in 1927 and was brought up in an environment of local furniture makers. He studied at the J J School of Architecture, Bombay, before moving to Europe in his twenties where he worked as Senior Designer with Corbusier on a number of projects in Paris.
After four years he returned to India to supervise a number of Corbusier projects being built in Ahmedabad and in 1956 he set up his own practice called Vastushilpa (meaning environmental design) with two other architects. He went on to work closely with Louis Kahn and Anant Raje on the design for the campus of the Indian Institute of Management, also in Ahmedabad.
His practice completed a number of buildings in Ahmedabad, including the Shreyas Comprehensive School Campus, Atira Guest House, low cost housing, the Institute of Indology and the Ahmedabad School of Architecture. The multi-disciplinary practice Vastushilpa continues today with over sixty employees in an open door office, inviting passers-by to drop in as part off their philosophy of pro-active participation.
He set up the research institute, Vastu-Shilpa Foundation for Studies and Research in Environmental Design, and was the first founding Director of the School of Architecture, the School of Planning (1972–79), the Kanoria Centre for Arts, Ahmedabad as well as Dean of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology.
He has been celebrated as an innovative designer with a strong social and environmental ethic and passion for light and material, as well as being an inspirational teacher and educator. He has been internationally recognised on a number of occasions for his work; as recipient of the Padma Bhushan, in 2020, the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2018, Global Award for Lifetime Achievement for Sustainable Architecture, Institut Francais d’Architecture, in 2007, the Prime Minister’s National Award for Excellence in Urban Planning and Design, India in 2000, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Gold Medal of the Academy of Architecture of France in 1988.
As Gold Medal winner in 2022 at the age of 94, Doshi continues to work and engage with architectural practice, design and teaching.
For more information about the RIBA Gold Medal and previous winners please visit https://www.architecture.com/awards-and-competitions-landing-page/awards/royal-gold-medal and for images of Doshi and his buildings visit https://riba.app.box.com/v/2022RoyalGoldMedal
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Heat pumps, vehicle chargers and heating appliances must be sold with smart functionality.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
New-style degrees set for reformed ARB accreditation
Following the ARB Tomorrow's Architects competency outcomes for Architects.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Preserving, waterproofing and decorating buildings.
Many resources for visitors aswell as new features for members.
Using technology to empower communities
The Community data platform; capturing the DNA of a place and fostering participation, for better design.
Heat pump and wind turbine sound calculations for PDRs
MCS publish updated sound calculation standards for permitted development installations.
Homes England creates largest housing-led site in the North
Successful, 34 hectare land acquisition with the residential allocation now completed.
Scottish apprenticeship training proposals
General support although better accountability and transparency is sought.
The history of building regulations
A story of belated action in response to crisis.
Moisture, fire safety and emerging trends in living walls
How wet is your wall?
Current policy explained and newly published consultation by the UK and Welsh Governments.
British architecture 1919–39. Book review.
Conservation of listed prefabs in Moseley.
Energy industry calls for urgent reform.