On way to architect Hasmukh C Patel's home on Friday morning, we know we have to look out for a house that has HCP 'tattooed' all over it. Covered and nestled in greens, this house stands proudly on the side of a busy Naranpura road. The pebbled flooring leads us to the back of the bungalow, into a garden ("All credit for this lovely garden goes to my mother," Hasmukhbhai's son, Dr Bimal Patel, would tell us later) and a big, spacious verandah where Hasmukhbhai, Dr Patel and Catherine Desai wait for us. The gorgeous hinchko welcomes us as we perch on it, ready for a session that reveals what makes HCP the master of architecture. Dr Patel and Catherine have co-authored The Architecture of Hasmukh C Patel: Selected Projects 1963-2003 — in the making for three years — on the master architect who sits between them, clearly the centre of attention, in a bright orange tee. "I know I am wearing a bright colour, but I love such colours," says the 83-year-old. "This is the house I grew up in!" avers Dr Patel, "from class 3 until I completed architecture".

A BOOK? NO, A THESIS

His is an oeuvre that spans decades, that bubbles with iconic buildings of city and others, that brims with master plans, and that is housed in "seven Godrej cupboards". So, how did they pick 51 projects? "That was the hardest part. Hasmukhbhai has designed a variety of buildings, and we wanted to represent the entire breadth of his work. That's how we decided upon the projects, choosing ones that show his style and work in their entirety," says architect Catherine, who calls it "a privilege" to having being able to put this book together. Catherine, who has practised in Australia, India and the UK, first visited India in early 1990s to study the country's modern buildings. Cept University President, urban planner, academic and co-author of the book, Dr Patel agrees, "In a book like this, we would want to show his best design approach. For example, St Xavier's Primary School. It questions the fundamentals. It erases the boundaries."

'I DESIGNED YOUR SCHOOL!'

It is one of the iconic school buildings and its students can never forget the whole experience that also includes the magnificent structure. "St Xavier's School is dear to so many people. I have studied there," says Dr Patel, as senior Patel quickly chips in, "I designed your school." How many fathers can say that, we exclaim!

NOT JUST FOR STUDENTS

What makes this architectural book different is its approach and presentation. While there is a lot of detailing that has gone into the drawings, the language - lucid and simple, can also connect to a layman. "The last summer, we had some 10 people who were busy recreating the drawings. What mm each line should be kept and much more," Dr Patel reveals the behindthe- scenes, including how his wife Ismet Khambatta helped with the content. "We (Catherine and I) are leading from the front, but there is a whole team that has put in efforts to bring this out," he adds. The book, according to son Bimal, will be helpful to students of architecture with the intricate designs and carefully recreated drawings that have been included.

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