MTalks—Bijoy Jain—Architecture and Lore • 26 Jul 2016

The word ‘lore’ refers to a body of knowledge, especially of a traditional nature, typically passed on by word of mouth. So, how does the concept of lore relate to architecture? At this Melbourne School of Design and MPavilion lecture, celebrated Indian architect Bijoy Jain discussed how the concept of lore is central to his practice and philosophy. The founder of sustainable architecture firm Studio Mumbai, Jain studied and worked in architecture in the United States before returning to India in 1995 to establish his practice. Jain has won many awards for his work, including the Grande Medaille d’Or from the Academie D’Architecture in Paris (2014), and was commissioned by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation to design this year’s annual MPavilion in Melbourne. Jain believes in using local materials, labour and expertise and drawing from traditional skills and and building techniques in all his projects. His philosophy of local collaboration and sensitivity to landscape and environment has influenced his plan for the MPavilion 2016, which will be a ‘symbol of the elemental nature of communal structures.’ In this lecture at the University of Melbourne, Jain informed attendees about how local lore can inform beautiful and sustainable architecture. Presented in partnership with MPavilion, the University of Melbourne and the Australia India Institute.