In Conversation 2 - Episode Five – Starting Practice

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Episode 5 – Starting Practice

‘In Conversation’ — is a segment where ideas originate, conversation flows and legends communicate. The first series features renowned architect Christopher Benninger in rendezvous with the titans from the field of architecture.

In this episode, Ar. ShivDatt Sharma narrates stories of professional practice and the difficulties he encountered while trying to start his own. Nearing the completion of the Chandigarh Project Ar.ShivDatt Sharma was offered to become the Chief Architect of Indian Space Research Organisation, for whom he had designed numerous facilities. It was after leaving ISRO, that Ar.ShivDatt Sharma decided to start his own practice and with this intention returned to Chandigarh. The close encounter reveals phases of his life where he challengingly faced criticisms and professional lows to survive and emerge as one of the great stalwarts in the history of Indian architecture.

Directed & Edited : Surajkumar Nandakumar

About Mr. Shiv Datt Sharma

Ar.Shiv Datt Sharma was born in now what is Pakistan and crossed over to India during the partition. He did his schooling from Chandigarh and dropped out of college after a year. He came across an advertisement for an evening course for architects which he immediately took up. He started working in the morning and attending his classes in the afternoon’s .During this time he got a chance to work on the Chandigarh project with Le Corbusier .During his long association with the master he got to learn and execute many prestigious buildings in Chandigarh. After this long association with Chandigarh Ar.Shiv Datt Sharma went on to become the chief architect for ISRO and was based in Bangalore for a long time. Upon his return to Chandigarh he began his private practice and has worked on many projects in Chandigarh.

About: Christopher Charles Beninger

Born in America in 1942, Christopher Charles Benninger has lived and worked in India for the past thirty-three years. He studied City Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Architecture at Harvard University under Joseph Luis Sert, where he was later a Professor of Architecture. A Fulbright Fellowship brought him to Ahmedabad, India in 1968 and he returned as a Ford Foundation Advisor to found the School of Urban Planning in 1971. Benninger often quotes Gandhiji's directive, “Live in a village and plan for the world.”

He founded the Centre for Development Studies in Pune, India (1976) involving him in rural development and poverty alleviation work. He has prepared plans for the Governments of Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. He has designed institutions, residential schools, business and luxury hotels, corporate headquarters and large-scale housing projects. Mr. Benninger was selected for the Designer of the Year Award (1999) and for the American Institute of Architects Award (2000) for his design of the Mahindra United World College of India.