Christopher Benninger, the founder of CEPT University’s School of Planning, passed away in Pune after fighting cancer. The 81-year-old renowned artist was a six-time recipient of the JK Architect of the Year Award and stood amongst renowned architects and planners like Geoffrey Bawa, Charles Correa and Balkrishna Doshi.
He arrived in Ahmedabad 40 years ago as a Ford Foundation advisor to the institute then known as the Centre for Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT), now CEPT University in 1972.
An alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he taught at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design before moving to India. In 1972, he co-founded CEPT’s Faculty of Planning with the late BV Doshi and the late Yoginder Alagh. He continued to teach at CEPT and maintained his association with Harvard as a Distinguished Professor.
In 1976, Benninger, along with Aneeta Gokhale Benninger, founded the Centre for Development Studies and Activities. His notable projects include the Gandhinagar Capital Project, a new town for economically weaker sections in Jamnagar, and the Centre for Development Studies and Activities in Pune. He also designed prominent campuses such as IIT Hyderabad, Azim Premji University in Bengaluru, and the Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies in Lonavala.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions, CEPT awarded Benninger an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in Architecture.
Tributes have poured in from across the architectural community. Sanjay Lalbhai, Chairman of CEPT University, remarked, “Christopher Benninger was a leading light in the fields of architecture and planning in the country. We are deeply thankful to him for the role he has played in founding the School of Planning at CEPT. In his interactions with the Board of Management, he has been a voice of reason, supporting the cause of the professionals and the students. For me personally, he was a great source of guidance and support in reimagining CEPT.”
Professor Barjor Mehta, President of CEPT University, who worked closely with Benninger, added, “Christopher was my mentor, advisor, and friend. An entire generation of planners and architects across India sought his insights and took inspiration from his professional work.”
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