Design without Borders Universalism in the Architecture of Rabindranath Tagore’s “World Nest” at Santiniketan

Rabindranath Tagore's architecture at Santiniketan embodies a unique universalist philosophy that transcends conventional Modernist trends. The design of his residences, Udayan and Shyamali, exemplifies this approach by integrating diverse cultural influences—Indian, Japanese, Javanese, and European—into a cohesive, modern framework. Udayan achieves this through abstraction and the use of contemporary materials, while Shyamali emphasizes harmony with nature by blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries with mud construction. This architectural synthesis reflects Tagore's vision for Visva-Bharati, a place where global cultures converge, challenging conventional categorizations of Modernism.

Clark, M. (2020). Design without Borders Universalism in the Architecture of Rabindranath Tagore’s “World Nest” at Santiniketan. Unpublished. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.35728.64001