Author: Maurer Bruno
Place: New Delhi
Year: 2014
Pages: 202
ISBN: 978-3-85676-326-8
Subject: Housing
Sub-Subject: Modern Housing
Keyword: Tropical House, Swiss Embassy, Modern Housing
Classification: 712
Shelf: C3R1
Accession No: B1182
Contents: Preface by Didier Burkhalter: On the upswing: relations between Switzerland and India are expanding and gathering Pace, Photographer by Arial Huber: The Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi: the architecture, Essay by Linus Von Casteimur: A stage for work and life: approaches to the Embassy building in New Delhi, Essay by Marc Perrenoud: An old republic and an ancient country: relations between Switzerland and India, Essay by Anupam Bansal: Extending Imperial Delhi: the Diplomatic Enclave of Chanakyapuri, Photographs by Walter Ruegg: Under a single roof: building operations, 1960-1963, Eassay by Bruno Maurer: Development of a tropical house: the planning and construction of the Embassy of Swirtzerland in New Delhi, Plans and time schedule: The definitive project: Compound, main building, garden and swimming-pool, Photographs and notes by Walter Ruegg: Building site journal 1963, Essay by Arial Huber: Building an independent nation: Achyut Kanvinde and modern architecture in India, Photographs by Arial Huber: Chancery and Residence: interior views, Essay by Arthur Ruegg: Not just Chandigarh: in the footsteps of Swiss architects in India, Photographs by Ariel Huber: The compound and the Staff Quarters, Appendix, Biographical notes, Notes on Contributors, Synopsis 1915-2013, The Ambassardors of Switzerland in Indiasince 1947, Index and credits, Acknowledgements
Abstract: The Swiss Embassy in New Delhi symbolizes the special political bond between Switzerland and India, established soon after India’s independence in 1947. Switzerland was the first country to sign a treaty of friendship with India in 1948. Designed by renowned Swiss architect Hans Hofmann, the embassy was inaugurated in 1963 with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru present. Hofmann, known for expressing ‘Swissness’ through modern architecture, created a building that blends Swiss prestige with local cultural, climatic, and constructional contexts. This embassy stands as a notable example of 20th-century Swiss architecture and a model of thoughtful global architectural integration.