A Guru’s Legacy: Remembering Christopher Charles Benninger (1942-2024)

Christopher Benninger (23.11.1942–02.10.2024) addresses a large gathering of architects at Tagore Theatre Chandigarh on October 15, 2011 during Young Architects’ Festival.

Christopher Charles Benninger (23.11.1942–02.10.2024) was an American-born Indian architect who contributed significantly to the field of critical regionalism and sustainable planning in India. He studied urban planning at MIT and architecture at Harvard University, where he later taught. Despite his illustrious career in the USA, Benninger chose India as his karmbhumi and worked here for over five decades. He founded the School of Planning at CEPT University and the Centre for Development Planning and Activities in Pune. Christopher Benninger left for his heavenly abode on October 2, 2024, at 82. His untimely demise left a massive void in architecture and planning, which will be challenging to fill.

The author and his family of architects – brother Surinder Bahga and cousin Yashinder Bahga are at a personal loss due to the absence of Christopher Benninger in this world. We were having a guru-shishya relationship with him of which he firmly believed. Our association with him started in 1991 when we were too young and aspired to write a book, “Modern Architecture in India: Post-Independence Perspective,” which was later published in 1993.

Christopher Benninger’s project -The Centre for Development Studies and Activities, Pune published in Modern Architecture in India in 1993.

At that time, there were no computers and social media. Thus, a need was felt for a large book on the contemporary architecture of India. With no prior experience in writing/publishing, we dreamt big and started contacting the ‘who’s who’ of Indian architecture for their contribution concerning their completed works. Like others, we also wrote to Christopher Benninger for the same. To our surprise, without asking for our credentials, he sent a large envelope containing drawings, photographs, and a conceptual write-up of one of his projects – the Centre for Development Studies and Activities, Pune.

Christopher Benninger with other architects at Chandigarh.

His promptness in sending the material, together with his blessings and best wishes for our endeavour, was a touching gesture and the beginning of our lasting relationship, which continued till his death. The project was featured elaborately in our book. When we sent a copy of this book to Christopher Benninger, he was pleased to see its quality, contents, and featured project. His humility can be seen from the fact that till recent times, he kept on appreciating our mundane effort to publish his work. After three decades of this publication, when he met my bother Surinder Bahga on February 3, 2024, he repeated, “You published my first project in your book, which was very encouraging for my career.”

Christopher Benninger wrote Foreword to the book -Modern Regionalism -The Architecture of Sarbjit Bahga.

The Centre for Development Studies and Activities is located on the fringe of Pune City on a ridge overlooking the Bavdhan village. It is a place for interaction between intellectuals from several disciplines and students at the School of Development Planning and Management. The complex has been conceived and planned on the concept of a classical Greek gymnasium, set in a suburban environment on a terraced hill slope. A podium, surrounded by a cluster of buildings, is the focus of this complex. This podium’s level is raised to scale down the surrounding built form. It is punctuated with traditional Indian elements like ottas, steps, elevated platforms with sculptures, and sizeable earthen pottery. The profoundness of Christopher Benninger’s design for this marvellous complex is evident from the fact that after about four decades of its inception, the project still retains its grandeur.

Christopher Benninger and Dr SS Bhatti release the book – Letters to a Young Architect at Chandigarh on October 15, 2011.

We again interacted with Christopher Benninger in 1996 while working on our second book, “New Indian Homes: An Architectural Renaissance,” later published in 1997. We approached Christopher Benninger to write a Foreword to this book. He agreed to write and helped us finalize the book’s Subtitle – “An Architectural Renaissance,” was Benninger’s suggestion. We were so obliged for his loving and supporting gesture.

Christopher Benninger wrote in the Foreword, “Building houses is the most civilizing activity of man, and it is through such endeavours that historians and archaeologists attempt to understand the very essence of culture. “New Indian Homes” is a document of our times which expresses the social and geo-climatic conditions of the subcontinent.” About the new generations of architects, Benninger added, “I hope that the new and the younger architects take over the mantle from us, they will express creatively this greater vision of their miniature efforts. These are not just homes of individuals; these are the dreams of a civilization.”

Christopher Benninger wrote Foreword to the book – New Indian Homes – An Architectural Renaissance.

It is evident from his words, which he wrote about thirty years ago, that the idea and subject matter of his last book, “Great Expectations”, germinated in his mind decades ago. Benninger was very optimistic and always had very high hopes from the younger generations of architects.

Christopher Benninger giving autograph on his book Letters to a Young Architect during Young Architects’ Festival at Chandigarh in October 2011.

In October 2011, when the Chandigarh-Punjab chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects hosted the ‘Young Architects’ Festival’ at Chandigarh, we invited Christopher Benninger as keynote speaker. He readily obliged and gave a stunning presentation to almost 750 architects and students in the Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh. On this occasion, the first edition of his book, “Letters to a Young Architect” was also released.

Recalling an incident of 2011, architect Surinder Bahga says, “One day Christopher Benninger called me to send my CV. As usual, I sent a one-page. He again called to say he urgently needs an elaborate CV of at least 7-8 pages. It was immediately prepared and sent. After over 15 days, I got a call from the Chandigarh Administration to appoint me as a Nominated Councillor in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation for 2011-16. Later, I learned that Christopher Benninger strongly recommended my name to the Administration, and they agreed. He advised me to work to improve the city, which I did earnestly.”

Christopher Benninger’s project featured in the book – New Indian Architecture 1947-2020.

In 2016, Christopher Benninger again showered his blessings on us by writing a Foreword to our book, “Modern Regionalism: The Architecture of Sarbjit Bahga.” This book is a monograph on the author’s selected works and was aimed at acting as an essential link between the past and future developments in architecture in the Indian context. It was in tune with Benninger’s thinking, who believed in ‘the continuity in history’. He said, “The spirit of a piece of architecture is the spirit of continuity; each work is an answer to all the proceeding works; each contains all the previous experiences of the world of Architecture!”

Christopher Benninger with Jeet Malhotra and Surinder Bahga at Chandigarh.

In the Foreword to this book, Christopher Benninger wrote, “The designs of Sarbjit Bahga are laid out almost as an encyclopedia of his life’s works, covering an amazing array of building types from offices, recreational structures, educational institutions, hospitals, residential complexes, and agricultural buildings. In the narrative that emerges through his timeline of projects, the struggle between the internationalist global style and his artistic search for a unique regional ambiance is inherent. The work of Sarbjit Bahga is the story of this struggle with discovery.” With these lines, Christopher Benninger has treated my architectural work as a bead in the string of history for which I shall always remain obliged.

On February 15, 2018, Christopher Benninger gave an elaborate statement for Surinder Bahga’s book, “Form Follows Roots: Architecture for India 1985-2021,” published in 2023. His statement is included in the Chapter “The Way Forward.” He wrote, “The future of Indian architecture will find its roots in more inclusive, more efficient and democratic urban structures, centred on pedestrianizing urban systems, integrating strolling spaces and pedestrian corridors into the nodes of mass transit arteries, functional water supply, storm drainage, energy sharing, sewerage management and solid waste management while celebrating nature, integrated within these new forms of the urban fabric. Thus, India can expect to see lineal cities growing along spine-like mass transit stems and urban utility corridors, serving high-density clusters around metro stations, with electric transit vehicles looping out of these modal split nodes into high-density, low-rise neighbourhoods, where the residents only purchase serviced house-plots, on which they build their shelters. ‘High art’ and more articulate pieces of architecture will be centred on public facilities like schools, colleges, auditoria, democratic councils and assembly halls, offices, courts, and universities. These, too, will be more sustainable and employ fewer and fewer energy-dependent systems. The architecture will be more closely linked to planning natural ecosystems, bio-sensitive parks and water bodies, where it will find its roots.”

Christopher Benninger’s book – Great Expectations -Notes to an Architect and review by Sarbjit Singh Bahga.

Though Christopher Benninger was not a frequent user of modern means of communication like WhatsApp, I had the privilege to chat with him occasionally. The subject matter of our chats was always related to architecture. From our communication, I could judge how deeply he was concerned about the upliftment of the profession.

I take the liberty (with an apology from Christopher’s soul) to share with readers one of the personal messages he sent to me via WhatsApp on June 19, 2022. It reads:

“Dear Sarbjit:

I am creating a memory framework for young architects studying today. What: At least one or two memories of iconic buildings by architects who have built important works since about 2000 (could be in the 90’s). Why: Every week, about 40 architecture students visit INDIA HOUSE, and I ask them, “Can you tell me the name of a building designed by Charles Correa? Doshi? Kanvinde? Rarely can they tell a Correa or a Doshi and never a Kanvinde. But then there is a large chorus of fans and relatives of these people, and every student is bound to cross these names and works in their school course! But few others! So, the new generation has no memory contact with the past! They don’t carry memories of iconic buildings that tie them deeper into more information. What: I’ve made a list of younger architects (well below 80, down to, say, 40) who have created important works. How: I’d like you to share the names of one or two of your important works and maybe what you consider the “memorable, iconic image” for youngsters to remember. Request: I’m doing this with 30+ architects. I cannot get into an email conversation with you about who is on the list and what I will do with this. I will do something. Hopefully, I’ll put these on my social media and write something. I’ve noted that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi Axis controls who gets “known” and who purposefully “gets let out!” It may begin another voice. There are brilliant, creative architects working diligently across India whose names people know but whose work is left to fate.

Warm Regards, Christopher.”

In response to Christopher Benninger’s message, I shared with him details of two of my projects i.e., 1. Punjab Mandi Board Head Office building at Mohali, and 2. Sports Stadium, Badal, Punjab. Apart from these, I thought it appropriate to send him a copy of my book, “New Indian Architecture: 1947-2020,” published in 2022. It features 104 projects designed by 66 Indian and 15 foreign architects. I thought that this book will be useful to Christopher Benninger for his noble cause. On receipt of this book, he wrote to me, “Wonderful! It is an important reference for all students who have lost touch with their roots! – Christopher.”

As usual, I was thrilled to receive this message but later couldn’t know how he had used the material he was collecting. But I can imagine that due to his untimely death, that project might have been left incomplete, mainly when he remained busy finalizing another book in hand, “Great Expectations: Notes to an Architect,” which was published and released three weeks after his death.

Thereafter, I got a congratulatory message from him on November 12, 2023, when I shared the news of the launch of my latest book, “Making of Chandigarh: A Vintage History,” published in 2023.

Christopher Charles Benninger (23.11.1942–02.10.2024)

With Christopher Benninger’s death on October 2, 2024, our long association of 33 years ended abruptly. But his legacy will continue to inspire the younger generations forever; as he said, “Just as the Olympic Torch is passed from one runner to the next and is kept burning forever. A spark of inspiration is passed through teachers’ and gurus’ humanity and brilliance.”

Christopher Charles Benninger’s journey from an American architect to becoming one of India’s most influential architectural minds exemplifies his belief in the continuity of architectural history. His dedication to nurturing young talent, championing regional identity, and building sustainable communities will continue to shape India’s architectural landscape for generations. Benninger’s vision of architecture as a civilizing force lives on through his buildings, writings, and, most importantly, the countless architects he mentored and inspired. As we bid farewell to this remarkable architect, teacher, and visionary, we are reminded that his most significant legacy lies not just in the structures he built but in the wisdom he shared and the dreams he inspired in others to create architecture deeply rooted in culture, sustainability, and human dignity.

 

  • All images courtesy of the author.

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