"I used to see two-and three-storeyed buildings and how generations of a family would grow within them. People still live inside such buildings, and the certain charm and warmth of it is what shaped my understanding of how homes should be," said Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi in an interview to BBC Gujarati. Certainly, the Pritzker Prize winner (2018) incorporated this understanding and his philosophy about life into the building of low-cost homes.

It is not often that we hear about renowned architects working on such projects. However, Doshi built low-cost housing for Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) in Ahmedabad and another similar housing, Aranya low-cost housing, in Indore in 1989. He said in the same interview, "Here I knew the houses would be occupied by several generations of the same family, that they would identify with it, that there will be a strong sense of belonging and that their needs will change, and that they may modify parts of it".

Such an understanding of family comes from Doshi's own childhood, which he spent in a multi-storey house with his joint family. His family had been involved in the furniture industry for over two generations; building things was in inherent in his nature. However, he was introduced to architecture as a potential profession by his school teacher. Consequently, he studied architecture at Sir JJ School of Architecture, Mumbai. Later, he went to Paris to work under Le Corbusier.

He was also honoured with doctorates from the University of Pennsylvania (USA) and McGill University (Canada). He was also a member of the International Committee for preparing the International Charter on the Education of Architects sponsored by the International Union of Architects in association with UNESCO.

Through his architecture, Doshi wants to express human relations. He remembers an instance from his childhood where he visited a poor lady's house and noticed it was devoid of all furniture. Later in school when he was asked to write an essay on his ambition, he wrote about how he would design the cheapest furniture for the poor. Akin to this instance, there are many more elements of youth- memories of shrines, temples and bustling streets, scents of lacquer and wood, his grandfather's workshop- that he has tried to incorporate in his artistic vision.

What sets Doshi apart is his absolute engagement with the society; his connect with human emotions and aspirations. Apart from commercial and residential buildings, he has also built institutions and schools, thereby contributing immensely to the academic world. This reflects his deep sense of responsibility and his desire to contribute to the country and people by providing them with high quality, authentic architecture that is not flashy and away from glitz or glamour.

In 1958 Doshi founded his own practice- Vastushilpa. This foundation is playing an active role in carrying out significant research in the field of environment-friendly architecture.

The architect, urban planner, and educator believes, "My works are an extension of my life, philosophy and dreams trying to create a treasury of the architectural spirit. I talk to nature and nature talks back to me."