Charles Correa, (in full Charles Mark Correa, born September 1, 1930, Secunderabad, India) is an Indian architect and urban planner, particularly noted for his sensitivity to the needs of the urban poor and for his use of traditional methods and materials.
Correa began his studies at Saint Xavier’s College at the University of Bombay (now Mumbai), and he went on to study at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (1949–53) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1953–55). In 1958 he established his own Bombay-based professional practice.
Charles Correa is a major figure in contemporary architecture around the world. With his extraordinary and inspiring designs, he has played a pivotal role in the creation of an architecture for post-Independence India . All of his work - from the carefully detailed memorialMahatma Gandhi Memorial Museum at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to Kanchanjunga Apartment tower in Mumbai, the Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, the planning of Navi Mumbai, MIT'S Brain and Cognitive Sciences Centre in Boston, and most recently, the Champalimad Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon, places special emphasis on prevailing resources, energy and climate as major determinants in the ordering of space.
Over the last four decades, Correa has done pioneering work in urban issues and low-cost shelter in the Third World. From 1970-75, he was Chief Architect for New Bombay an urban growth center of 2 million people, across the harbor from the existing city. In 1985, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi appointed him Chairman of the National Commission on Urbanization.
In 1984, he founded the Urban Design Research Institute in Bombay, dedicated to the protection of the built environment and improvement of urban communities. He also designed the distinctive buildings of National Crafts Museum, New Delhi (1975–1990), Bharat Bhavan Bhopal, British Council, Delhi, (1987–92) the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Center at MIT , Boston, and the Champalimaud Centre for The Unknown in Lisbon, Portugal.
2005-2008 he was Chairman of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission. In 2008 he resigned his commission as the head of Delhi Urban Arts Commission.
On 18 December 2011, the eve of the Golden Jubiliee of Goa's Liberation, Charles Correa was bestowed with Goa's highest civilian honour, the Gomant Vibhushan.
LIC building, at Connaught Place, New Delhi, designed by Charles Correa, 1986
Charles Correa is currently working on several projects worthy of note. Of particular significance is the new Ismaili Centre in Toronto,Canada that is to be located in the midst of formal gardens and surrounded by a large park designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. It will share the site with the Fumihiko Maki designed Aga Khan Museum.
A project that has recently been completed is The Champalimaud Foundation Centre in Lisbon which was inaugurated on October 5, 2010 by the Portuguese President, Cavaco Silva.
Awards
RIBA Royal Gold Medal - 1984.
His acclaimed design for McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT was dedicated recently.