"I failed my first semester - that built my foundation in design": Girish Doshi

The city came alive last Thursday as architects, students, and design enthusiasts gathered for the 2nd Edition of the B.V. Doshi Memorial Exhibition organised by Ambuja Neotia Group. In a heartfelt tribute to the late Padma Bhushan recipient Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi - mentor, philosopher, and one of India’s most celebrated architects - the exhibition showcased four decades of Girish Doshi’s work, carefully curated by Ar. Abin Chaudhuri.

Architecture as lifeWalking through the galleries, the idea that “life and architecture are one” became palpable. From low-cost homes in rural villages to the School of Architecture in Pune, Doshi’s work spoke of discipline, continuity, and above all, humanity. “To me, architecture is never separate from life,” he said. “My office functions like a family — my wife, my grandson, everyone is part of the process. Revisiting 40 years of work is both humbling and exhilarating.” Each display — whether a simple, single-room village house or a sprawling educational campus — carried the quiet power of designs meant for people, not for applause.

Voices from the exhibition

The evening also became a dialogue, with visitors deeply engaging with the architect’s philosophy.“This is architecture for the common person - humble, context-sensitive, devoid of extravagance. It flows with the city rather than imposing on it” said Shoumujit Kaur, Architect. Another attendee, Pankaj Bhagwatkar, who traveled from Pune exclusively for the event, echoed the sentiment. “These are real, problem-solving spaces that reflect our lifestyles and values. There’s no pretense, just common-sense architecture that understands people. What stands out is how thoughtfully these homes are planned, respecting both dreams and budgets”, he said

A city with soul

This year marked the first time Doshi’s body of work has been brought together under one roof , and Kolkata was the chosen stage.“Kolkata holds the charm of an old city that I deeply admire,” Doshi said. “It’s not just another metro , it has soul. Walking through its streets, you can feel the stories, the layers. That’s what architecture should always do — belong.”As guests lingered in quiet conversation, moving through drawings, models, and sketches spanning four decades, one thing was clear: this was more than an exhibition. It was a journey.The show will run for 15–17 days, offering students, practitioners, and enthusiasts a rare chance to experience the life and legacy of a practice grounded in humility and timeless relevance.

I failed in my first year of architecture school, but that failure became my foundation. It pushed me to sit in the library, to sketch, to study, to understand what architecture truly is. Looking back now, it feels like the most important moment of my life

- Ar Girish Doshi