Bringing about slight changes where required, Raj says, “Canopy parasol of the High Court was one such instance. The initial design of flying, cantilever shell roof had to be replaced by the present cantilever beam and slab structure on our insistence.” Raj tells us those were the times when engineering took an independent turn and developed into full blown structuralism evident in several buildings of the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Ensuring that designs satisfy given design criteria, predicated on safety, serviceability and performance, “Creative manipulation of materials and forms, mass, space, volume, texture and light saw the inception of Chandigarh,” Raj smiles and walks towards where his first office was in Sector 19 (now the PWD building), satisfied with the way the city has grown and progressed. “Despite all the pressure of population, politicians, bureaucrats, commerce and industry, it’s holding well and will do so for many years to come.” You heard him!