Golconde, The Introduction of Modernism in India

Golconde in Pondicherry, India was completed in 1945. It was built as a dormitory for members of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It was designed by American architect Antonin Raymond (who was based in Japan and previously worked for Frank Lloyd Wright) and later completed by George Nakashima, who also became a member of the ashram. Nakashima’s fine wood furniture is in use throughout the rooms. The construction supervision was entrusted to Nakashima and Francois Sammer, a Czech architect who had worked for Le Corbusier before joining Raymond's staff.

Golconde is an astonishing architectural accomplishment. With technical finesse and extraordinary craft, it offers a living testament to the original modernist credo – architecture as the manifest union of technology, aesthetics, and social reform.  Here exists an undiluted view of a wholly triumphant tropical Modernism, built during the tumultuous years of the second world war.

Mira Nakashima, George Nakashima’s daughter, contributes with a new 800 word introduction essay for this new edition.

By Pankaj Vir Gupta, Christine Mueller, Cyrus Samii.

Softcover, 112 pages, 19.5 x 22.5 cm, ill Colour/ B&W, Published by Actar.