The Mother Tongue of Architecture: Selected Writing from Kazi Khaleed Ashraf

A collection of critical essays on abiding and compelling topics in architecture and the culture of architecture. Range of topics are diverse: an architectural phenomenology of water, architecture and landscape rethought, ancient Greece to India, The Buddha’s house to the modern house in India, the architecture and landscapes of Louis Kahn. Le Corbusier in India, the architecture of Balkrishna Doshi, and other original topics such as the destruction of buildings as a ritual necessity.

“Reading and pondering over Kazi’s writings, I am reminded of my personal journeys and learnings… Architecture is not merely a static dumb built form but is a cosmos in itself. Not merely produced theoretically but created through varied moods and activities of life, place, space, and ecosystems. Theoretically — arguably and rationally — functions or activities or appearances are organisms, but not if not seen holistically. Hence, Vastu is not only an environment and not merely an object but has an all-pervading soul, and this is what Kazi conveys through his travels and experiences.” - Balkrishna Doshi on The Mother Tongue of Architecture