Pierre Jeanneret, Jane Drew & Maxwell Fry's Design & Urban Planning Day 2

• Museum Maison Jeanneret

  1 hoursAdmission Ticket Included

  Get a rare visit to the first house constructed in Chandigarh turned museum. Originally the residence of Pierre Jeanneret for 11 years, a key collaborator of Le Corbusier, this house showcases his innovative design principles. Built-in the 1950s, Maison Jeanneret reflects the modernist architecture characteristic of Chandigarh's urban planning, featuring clean lines, open spaces, and functional design. I'll take you through the meticulously preserved interiors, where you'll find mid-century modern furniture designed by Jeanneret himself. The minimalist aesthetic and use of local materials like teak wood highlight his practical yet elegant approach. You'll also see rare photographs, sketches, and personal artifacts that provide a glimpse into Jeanneret's life & his pivotal role in shaping Chandigarh. We will get rare access to the garden and verandas which reflect his architectural philosophy of integrating indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. Tickets are already included!

• Chandigarh Architecture Museum

  1 hoursAdmission Ticket Included

  Inspired by Le Corbusier’s 1965 Zurich Pavilion, this raw concrete form and tubular stairway set the stage for Chandigarh’s modernist saga. We’ll explore three levels of rare exhibits, starting with the basement’s 1947 Partition archives, showcasing Albert Mayer and Matthew Nowicki’s early plans through original maps. The second level unveils Le Corbusier’s vision, with blueprints, models, and unbuilt designs like the Museum of Knowledge, crafted with Pierre Jeanneret, Jane Drew, and Maxwell Fry. On the third, see Chandigarh’s evolution, including Jeanneret’s furniture and his recreated living room. With insider access, you’ll view restricted sketches and tapestries, offering a personalized glimpse into this UNESCO city’s creation. Tickets already included, no waiting in lines!

• Sukhna Lake

  1 hoursAdmission Ticket Included

  Experience a delightful boating vibe on the calm waters of the lake. You'll enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding hills and the peaceful ambiance packed with picnic snacks for everyone, especially fun for kids and couples. After our boating adventure, we'll head to the Garden of Silence located at the backside of the lake. This tranquil garden features a large statue of Buddha, providing a perfect setting for meditation and reflection. The serene environment, with its beautifully landscaped surroundings, offers a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here we'll do some yoga and stretches and hear about the history of the place. Get ready to soak in the natural beauty and tranquility of Sukhna Lake and the Garden of Silence!

• Sector 17 Market

  1 hoursAdmission Ticket Free

  Conceived in the 1950s as part of Chandigarh’s master plan, Sector 17 was designed as the central business district, embodying Le Corbusier’s vision of a modern urban center where commerce, culture, and community converge. We will take the shaded tree-lined walkways, do people watching by the fountains, and see local artists perform at open spaces, blending brutalist concrete with green landscapes. Explore Pierre Jeanneret's functionality, blending with just the spot for you to shop for Indian / Punjabi shopping space. gift back home like spices, artifacts, non tacky clothes or herbal ayurvedic supplements. Bask in the immense pride of how much locals utilize these public spaces, despite a constant struggle of gentrifying the city, and how the well-oiled machinery just works!

• The Rock Garden of Chandigarh

  2 hoursAdmission Ticket Included

  I'll guide you through enchanting pathways adorned with over 2,000 unique sculptures crafted from recycled materials, including broken cutlery, toilets, hardware, electrical switches, road construction material,s and more. This iconic landmark spot has won multiple "best out of the waste" awards internationally and is a huge hit for kids. Take inspiration from its founds Nek Chand's vision. You'll discover hidden waterfalls, tranquil ponds, and themed courtyards each telling a unique story. No need to stand in line, I'd have our entry tickets already purchased included in the tour, as we explore all "phases" or portions of the park, including secret passageways and the lesser-known sculptures tucked away in secluded corners, offering perfect spots for stunning photographs and a truly immersive experience. Get ready to uncover the magic of Rock Garden like never before!

• Chandigarh War Memorial

  30 minsAdmission Ticket Included

  A poignant tribute tucked within the Bougainvillea Garden of Sector 3, where architectural subtlety meets profound historical resonance. Conceived by Lt. Gen. J.F.R. Jacob and designed by students, this sunken, spiral arena—dedicated in 2006 by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam—honors over 10,500 martyrs from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh who fell post-Independence, their names etched on black granite panels that line its galaxy-like layout. Spanning an oval, six-foot-deep amphitheater, it blends seamlessly with Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh vision, its concrete walls pierced with light-filled openings and flanked by ramps, all crowned by vibrant bougainvillea—a citizen-funded marvel initiated by the Indian Express Group, not the state. This is one of India’s largest post-Independence war memorials, this space whispers of sacrifice and valor, a silent galaxy of heroes woven into the city’s modernist tapestry.

• Panjab University

  1 hoursAdmission Ticket Free

  Insider, private, personal expert-guided access to the university campus designed to embody academic excellence within a planned urban framework. Le Corbusier, the master planner, laid out the 550-acre campus with a grid-iron pattern, integrating open courtyards and green spaces to foster an intellectual community. Pierre Jeanneret designed key buildings like the iconic Gandhi Bhawan, a pinwheel-inspired structure with a white pebble exterior, and the University Library, blending exposed brick and concrete for climate-responsive functionality. Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry contributed to early residential and administrative blocks, emphasizing humane, tropical architecture. B.P. Mathur, a local architect, designed the Student Centre, a brutalist hub for social life. With insider access, you’ll explore rare archival blueprints, revealing their collective genius in crafting this UNESCO-nominated campus, a living legacy of modernist urbanism.

• Government House

  1 hoursAdmission Ticket Free

  Get private, RARE, private access inside Pierre Jeanneret’s public socialist housing in Chandigarh (subject to local variables), a model of modernist equity. Designed in the 1950s for India’s first planned city, Jeanneret’s 13 housing categories, from elite to low-income Type 13, used exposed brick, brise-solei, stone masonry, and concrete. His brutalist style, with latticed screens and balconies, ensures ventilation in Chandigarh’s heat, reflecting the Modulor system. Post-1947, these homes embodied Nehru’s vision of equality, using identical materials across classes, a unique approach in India. Integrated into Le Corbusier’s grid-iron plan, they create cohesive sectors like 16, 23, and 24. We’ll visit Jeanneret’s Type housing in sector 19, still functional and occupied, and see multiple types of housing. Has the design survived 44 degrees C sweltering heat and a privacy-focused society instead of communal living housing? Or are the designs now obsolete?