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Laurie Baker remembered

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Memories of the life and principles of Laurie Baker have become particularly significant at this time when architects are emerging as a wealthy class in society, Congress leader G. Karthikeyan has said.

He was delivering the Baker memorial lecture at the first death anniversary observance of the master architect organised here on Tuesday by the Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD).

Even in his time Baker could have amassed great wealth. But he said no to wealth so that he could live and work according to his principles, which were a blend of the ideals of Gandhiji and Marx. In his inaugural address, Forest Minister Benoy Viswom said that Baker was a “perunthachan of the poor.” In fact, what Baker led was nothing short of an architectural revolution for the poor. At a separate function Mr. Viswom presented the first Baker memorial award to COSTFORD. The organisation’s director Chadradutt later announced that this money would be used to set up the Laurie Baker School of Architecture in Thiruvananthapuram. COSTFORD would also donate Rs.5 lakh towards the government’s total housing scheme for the poor, he added.

Mrs. Elizabeth Baker was among those who participated in the memorial programme organised at the Institution of Engineers Hall.

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