Japan is one of the participants in the project for Trans-border Nomination of Le Corbusier Urban and Architectural Work to UNESCO’S World Heritage List.

The delegation, which comprises five students apart from Professor Yamana, is on an eight-day visit to the city.

Talking to Newsline at the Government Art Museum and Gallery in Sector 10, Professor Yamana said the Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, built by Corbusier, is the same prototype of those built by him in Chandigarh and Ahmedabad. “Our area of research is the comparative study of the three museums. These buildings are categorised as modern heritage as we are putting them to use as well as trying to conserve them,” he said.

Despite belonging to the same prototype, the buildings also have some variations which the delegation will be studying. “We are trying to know how the museum is being utilised and what restoration exercises can be undertaken in Tokyo to retain Corbusier’s heritage. For instance, the reception and the undulatory windows of the museum in Tokyo were demolished a few years ago. We have, therefore, taken their detailed measurements so as to reconstruct them there,” he said.

Styles such as hand grill, which are typical of Corbusier, have also fascinated the visiting students who will learn more about them. Juichi Iida, a final-year student of architecture said: “Corbusier was a contemporary architect and immensely talented. Apart from his artifacts, his open hand concept really interests me. I plan to do my post-graduation from the city for I would like to know more about his work.” Juichi has written his thesis on the open-hand concept. “After visiting the city, I have come to know that the city has truly realised this concept,” smiles Juichi.

Other than Corbusier, it is the Indian food that has the Japanese hooked. “The spices and the aroma of Punjabi cuisine are completely irresistible. We have been relishing the food everyday,” says Okawa Hirushi, another student.

Professor Kiran Joshi of Chitkara School of Planning and Architecture says students from the college too will go for an exchange programme to Tokyo to study Corbusier’s work. “Our students will acquire more knowledge about the legend and his work in Japan through the exchange.”