Laurie Baker Paperback – January 1, 2000

I enjoyed very much this book, which gives a very precise and sensitive review of Baker's architecture work.I sincerely recommend it for those who are interested on this architect but could not visit his works.

Gautam Bhatia has done a commendable job on covering a reasonable amount of the architectural aspects of Laurie Baker's work & life. However to understand the design philosophy and the motivations that drove Laurie Baker to design & build it helps to read more about his personal life and his beliefs which are equally, if not more captivating. The site below is the official site on the architect and has more information for anyone curious to know more after reading Gautam Bhatia's book. It also has downloadable copies of Baker's own booklets, extremely useful for any architecture students and perhaps also serious readers.[...]

I happened upon an earlier edition of this book while I was a student of architecture about 7 or 8 years ago and it has served as an inspiration ever since.Laurie Baker, born an English Quaker, has been practicing architecture in India for over 50 years, drawing on local examples and low-cost building techniques all in the quest to provide decent and affordable quality buildings for India's poor.The book is chock-full with examples, re-prints of articles, and a large excerpt from his cost-saving manual that he produced with the government of India. It has much more information than most every other architecture book ever in print.I am glad to see this available to U.S. customers finally. I had to order mine by mail from a book shop in Delhi.

Gautam Bhatia has produced a very insightful review of the life and works of the English architect who spent his career designing sustainable, economical and beautiful buildingsin South India. Although the book, purchased from Amazon, is way over-priced ( it is a resale of a volume that in India costs about five dollars...295 rupees) it is the only authentic source of the great architect's work written by one who had intimate knowledge of the projects and the procedures which produced them. A wonderful companion volume, The Other Side of Laurie Baker, written by the architect's widow Dr. Elizabeth Baker, is only available in India, I understand. Bhatia's photographs and clear diagrams, plans, sections, etc., give an excellent understanding of exactly how Baker used indigenous building materials and techniques.The author also underlines what a wonderful sense of humor Baker had in dealing with difficult and bureaucrat situations. When Ghandi persuaded Baker to remain in India after World War II he knew that he was offering that country'spoorer communities an entree into truly wonderful architecture. The honesty, modesty and integrity of the architect are neatly described through exemplary works of his creative genius.Patrick J. Quinn, FAIA.

Laurie Baker was a legend and this book by Gautam Bhatia is more than just a book. It looks like a book related to artitechture and house building but when you go through the pages you will find it like a more of a way of living. The way Baker imagined India has been reflected in this book very well. This is what India needed 100 years back and this is what India needs now. Thankyou Gautam sir for bringing this book to us.

This book was as good as I was lead to believe, and will help enormously in my work.

Bhatia has done a wonderful book on Baker. Baker and Bhatia should receive the highest honors. This book must be included in college curriculum nation wide. The architecture produced by today's professionals is banal and bizarre. If the authorities turn a blind eye the country will definitely look like 3rd world country not like a nuclear power leaders claim.

Baker..A little gem of a person. The man is just too amazing, the gandhian architect. I had the fortune to have seen many of his creations in Trivandrum. Baker's thoughts, beliefs and common sense hold very great value in these times of mindless splurge n extravagance. Hope many more read and get stimulated by his ideas and cheeky designs.The plans on the book were awesome. The print quality isn't great, easily one of the worst that I had seen from Penguin. Dropping a star just for that!But still I love the book and the contents. Miss you Mr. Baker!