Book: Chandigarh 1956, by Ernst Scheidegger

’Chandigarh 1956’ by Ernst Scheidegger. Front cover. Copyright Ernst Scheidegger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

(Image credit: TBC)

last updated 1 September 2022

The most remarkable thing about this new monograph of historic images of the construction of Chandigarh is just how contemporary everything feels, from the washed out colours of the prints to the stark concrete forms rising above dusty plains.

The pictures were taken in 1956 by the Swiss photographer and publisher Ernst Scheidegger for a book that never materialised; now, over half a century later, the publishing house he founded in 1962 has finally compiled a monograph to chronicle the birth of this remarkable city.

Chandigarh was not nearly as well publicised as its contemporary, Brasilia, which had its own magazine as well as the attention of the world. As von Moos notes in his introduction, Chandigarh's 'public buildings were never part of a nationwide marketing effort on a scale or of a scope comparable to that bestowed upon Brasilia'.

Instead, Chandigarh emerged rather more organically. The book is part scrapbook, part monograph, with sketches and memoirs from Corbusier and his co-architects Drew and Fry, as well as the pencilled mock-up of Scheidegger's original publication.

Field with cows — ’Chandigarh 1956’ by Ernst Scheidegger. Page 84-85. Copyright Ernst Scheidegger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

People standing in a line passing animals up the chain — ’Chandigarh 1956’ by Ernst Scheidegger. Page 77. Copyright Ernst Scheidegger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Wooden scaffolding and open windows — ’Chandigarh 1956’ by Ernst Scheidegger. Page 92. Copyright Ernst Scheidegger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Carriage — ’Chandigarh 1956’ by Ernst Scheidegger. Page 101. Copyright Ernst Scheidegger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

A cart in a street — ’Chandigarh 1956’ by Ernst Scheidegger. Page 102. Copyright Ernst Scheidegger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Children standing with their books — ’Chandigarh 1956’ by Ernst Scheidegger. Page 166. Copyright Ernst Scheidegger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Two men standing and talking — ’Chandigarh 1956’ by Ernst Scheidegger. Page 169. Copyright Ernst Scheidegger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Building with park cars and people walking — ’Chandigarh 1956’ by Ernst Scheidegger. Page 199. Copyright Ernst Scheidegger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.