The Gandhi of Architecture (Uncommon Sense)

Laurence Wilfred Baker (1917–2007) was a British-born Indian architect and artist. Renowned as an eccentric pioneer of cost-effective, energy-efficient design, and organically expressive brickwork, his humanitarian architecture—although humble—refused to be boring.  In this fascinating film, directed by the architect’s grandson, Laurie Baker himself tells his remarkable life story, while giving detailed tours of architectural works, including his own home and studio, which intricately embody his unique ethical and material philosophy. He cared for lepers as a missionary during the war and he spent time building hospitals in remote villages in the Himalayan mountains. As an outsider, Baker took intense delight in discovering and re-interpreting the vernacular building traditions of India. Over the course of a long career, he built many affordable houses, schools, hospitals, public institutions and advised governments on housing policy.