Have a listen to Rixt Woudstra and Ewan Harrison talking more about how we researched, made, and designed our latest book ‘Architecture, Empire and Trade‘ on the New Books in Architecture podcast series….
Thank you to Matthew Wells for hosting the podcast and for the super questions and comments.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/new-books-in-architecture/id425210498
Lagos Workshop Reflections
Context
This document summarises the collective reflections from the Lagos Writing Workshop.
During the event, participating Early Career Researchers (ECRs) shared insights from
previous experiences organising student writing workshops in architecture. Discussions
included how to strengthen the pedagogical impact of these workshops, optimise cohort
composition, improve documentation and archiving, explore effective workshop models,
expand publishing and dissemination efforts, and establish robust logistical structures for the
long-term.
Based on these reflections, participants discussed how they might transform the workshop
series into a platform tentatively called the African Architecture History and Theory Network.
Such a platform would advance scholarship on the African built environment through various
events and opportunities for writing. It would involve academics and practitioners, on and off
the continent, who work on the history and theory of its built environment.
1. Pedagogical Impact and Institutional Uptake
A recurring theme in our conversations was the importance of tracing the workshop’s longer-
term impact. There were questions about the journeys of previous participants: Where are
they now? How many found their way into academia, and how many continued in
professional practice? More importantly, in what concrete ways did the workshop influence
their teaching, research, or approach to design and writing? This kind of follow-up could
strengthen the workshop’s role as a bridge to academic careers – if we so desired – and guide
how future editions are shaped to meet participants’ realities.
The discussion also brought up a common challenge: in many African universities, research
and writing are introduced into the curriculum only in their later stages. By that time,
valuable opportunities for skill development may have been lost. While institutional reforms
can be slow, participants identified opportunities for immediate action through informal
initiatives, such as integrating writing exercises into existing classes, establishing peer-review
groups, or mentoring students outside formal structures.
Participants emphasised the need to view the curriculum as a living and continuously
developing document that, even within the same framework, approached the material with
creativity in its delivery. This flexibility could open space for richer, more engaging writing,
teaching and development.
There was also a call to clarify the type of writing to prioritise: academic, creative, or a blend
of the two? Clearer goals would help ensure that teaching and mentoring efforts are aligned.
Finally, the group identified an opportunity for deeper institutional support: inviting
academics to serve as visiting scholars in specific schools, funded to spend extended periods
(perhaps a semester or more) and to help embed a writing community of practice more firmly
within an architecture department.
2. Cohort Composition and Interdisciplinarity
We reflected on how different compositions of workshop participant cohorts, such as single-
discipline or interdisciplinary, or those from a single institution or multiple institutions, shape
the workshop experience. Past multidisciplinary groups, comprising participants from various
universities, were seen as especially enriching, bringing fresh perspectives to both
discussions and writing. In particular, pairing architects with participants from other fields
interested in writing about buildings, as in the Accra workshops, proved valuable.
When it comes to larger participant numbers, colleagues suggested experimenting with group
essay writing. Under such conditions, each group member could contribute a section, as a
way to sustain engagement and produce richer outputs. This may require more work up front
to set it up effectively. Yet it promises to yield good results in the long run.
Another critical question was whether we had, in the past, assumed too much about
participants’ writing ability during the selection stages. In earlier workshops, many were
chosen because they could already write well. Moving forward, requesting writing samples
could help establish a baseline. Where needed, we can offer resources and strategies to help
beginners build foundational skills, as well as targeted support for advanced writers. At the
highest level, we recognised the importance of a clear framework to support and challenge
experienced writers to produce polished, high-quality outputs.
Participants also pointed out the importance of cohort size, which would shape the structure
of the workshops. Smaller groups allow for more intensive work, while larger groups may
benefit from group or collaborative approaches. But much of this needs to be discussed
alongside issues such as the number of ECR mentors available and the duration of the
workshops, and all these depend on funding.
3. ORGANISATION: Documentation, Archiving, and Knowledge Management
Lagos workshop participants also discussed the need for a more systematic approach to
capturing, storing, and sharing the knowledge generated through the workshops. This
includes establishing clear protocols for cloud storage and file sharing. These should ideally
be set up before each workshop to ensure that all forms of output are preserved and
maintained. The frameworks should provide for the archiving of materials in multiple
formats, including audio and video recordings of workshop discussions, lectures, participant
feedback, and organisers’ reflections.
We also acknowledged the central role that archival materials and comparative building
analysis can play in fostering architectural research and writing, as well as the barriers to
accessing architectural records across institutions and countries. Whilst some university
libraries may have useful records, there still exists a need to establish direct contact with
architects or their families, in case they have passed away, to explore how we might collect
and store their archives. Copyright issues emerged as a key consideration. If architectural
drawings or other archival content are to be published online, it is essential to secure the
necessary permissions from rights holders.
There was also discussion about the platform through which archived materials might be
made accessible online. Should this be a standalone website dedicated exclusively to the
workshop series, giving it a clear identity and independent visibility? Or should it be
integrated into the digital infrastructure of an existing institution, potentially offering greater
3long-term stability, technical support, and credibility? Each option carries implications for
accessibility, branding, and sustainability. We need to consider this alongside questions of
funding, audience reach, and alignment with the workshop’s broader objectives.
Finally, participants emphasised that robust archiving is just as much about accessibility as it
is about accuracy. To ensure that stored knowledge remains reliable, we discussed the
potential for an independent peer-review mechanism for workshop essays and other materials
generated. Such a system would help maintain the archive’s long-term value as both a
teaching resource and a research asset.
4. Workshop Models and Formats
We reflected on the range of workshop models used to date, from those focused on individual
essays to those built around group writing, and from standalone events to workshops
embedded within larger programmes. Each format offers distinct advantages: individual
writing allows for deeper personal engagement with a topic, while group essays can foster
collaboration, distribute workload, and produce richer, multi-voiced outputs.
Lessons from initiatives such as the Shared Heritage Fellowship suggest that embedding
workshops within broader collaborative frameworks can create valuable opportunities for
networking, resource sharing, and sustained engagement. Well-structured collaborations can
also open doors to funding streams that might otherwise be inaccessible.
Potential partners identified included:
· The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), which holds relevant archives and could
host African scholars for on-site archival work as part of a workshop.
· The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in the United States.
· The Architecture and Design Centre in Rwanda by MASS Design Group.
· The African Futures Institute (AFI); and
· The African Architectural and Urban History Network (AFRAUHN).
Reaching out to such institutions could create new possibilities for co-organised workshops,
access to specialised collections, and cross-continental exchanges.
5. Publishing, Toolkits, and Knowledge Dissemination
We discussed the value of consolidating the insights, methods, and resources developed
through the workshop series into outputs that extend beyond the immediate cohort. Joint
publications, whether in the form of edited volumes, special journal issues, or curated online
essays, could serve both as a record of the intellectual work undertaken and as a meaningful
contribution to the broader discourse in architecture.
Platforms for such outputs could include academic journals such as Architectural Research
Quarterly, Journal of Architectural Education, and The Journal of the Society of
Architectural Historians.
Conferences such as the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) Annual Conference, the
African Architecture Matters Forum, and the African Studies Conferences could serve as
opportunities to present findings, build networks, and position the workshops’ outputs within
both African and global conversations on architecture and heritage. Such outputs could feed
back into architectural curricula, enriching reading lists for history and theory courses and
influencing teaching practice within departments.
In parallel, the creation of practical manuals or toolkits – which draws on our collective
experience in workshop design, pedagogical strategies, and partnership building – could
support future workshops as well as other educators and institutions interested in running
similar initiatives. Toolkits could be tailored for a broader readership, including practitioners,
students, and cultural institutions, and made accessible in multiple formats: print, digital, and
ideally, open-access.
Finally, there was strong interest in forming a dedicated working group or network to develop
and promote research, teaching, and dialogue on African architectural history and theory.
Participants believed this would provide a sustained platform for collaboration and visibility
in this field. A suggested name is the African Architecture History and Theory Research
Network (AAHT), which would have a base (a writing hub) at each participating university.
These AAHT writing hubs could be dedicated to providing year-round support for student
members who develop essays for publication and who could serve as a pool to draw from for
future workshops.
6. Planning, Logistics, and Long-Term Structuring
We discussed the need for more robust logistical and planning frameworks to support the
consistent delivery of successful workshops while reducing the need to reinvent processes
each year.
For transnational events, this includes building capacity for virtual and hybrid formats to
support collaboration across countries and institutions. For in-person gatherings, challenges
such as visa applications must be addressed early. A practical step would be to send accepted
participants a checklist of required preparations immediately upon selection, to avoid delays
caused by unforeseen administrative issues.
Clear decisions will be needed regarding the frequency of workshops (e.g., annual or bi-
annual). This, in turn, will determine how much time will be required for planning. This
means formalising the workshop series as an event centred on writing and text production
about the African built environment. This will be based on a standing document outlining our
core values, mission, and vision, supported by a strategic committee responsible for
oversight, continuity, and long-term direction.
To streamline coordination, we proposed appointing an administrative lead – possibly an
intern based at the host institution – to handle logistical tasks, allowing academics to focus on
the programme’s intellectual and pedagogical components.
Alongside the list of potential collaborators, a standing register of funding and grant
opportunities would help guide application timelines and planning priorities. Planning
frameworks should also account for different funding conditions, with adaptable approaches
for both funded and unfunded workshops.
Finally, we explored strategies to expand the series to other university campuses, beginning
by consolidating our presence in key locations, such as Uganda, before extending it to new
sites. This phased approach could help ensure depth and sustainability in our growth, building
strong local networks before scaling further.
November 8, 2025–April 12, 2026: Office Southeast in collaboration with Dana Salama
During the 1960s, Accra stood at the center of the anticolonial world. As the capital of Ghana—the first independent country in sub-Saharan Africa following European colonization—the city drew revolutionaries, intellectuals, and artists from across the continent and the Cold War divides. Ghana’s first leader, Kwame Nkrumah, envisioned Accra as a showcase of African statehood and invited architects to help shape its future.
Intersections traces the collaboration of two architects who responded to that call: Ghanaian Victor Adegbite (1925–2014) and Hungarian Charles Polónyi (1928–2002). Polónyi arrived in Accra as part of Eastern European technical assistance programs supporting Ghana’s transition to socialism. He worked for the Ghana National Construction Corporation (GNCC), where Adegbite—a Howard University graduate—served as chief architect. In their work at the GNCC they mobilized architectural resources from the socialist, capitalist, and non-aligned countries and designed buildings that responded to Ghana’s needs, means, and aspirations.
The exhibition centers on the housing projects designed by Adegbite and Polónyi, which embodied the many dimensions of independence—from representing a new elite to the state’s provision of housing for all social groups. By juxtaposing family archives from the United States and Hungary—preserved by the architects’ daughters—the exhibition both reconstructs and reenacts an encounter from sixty years ago. By recording how the buildings designed by Adegbite and Polónyi have been appropriated by their inhabitants, it shows how the architects’ work continues to impact Accra’s urban landscapes.
Curators: Michael Dziwornu and Łukasz Stanek, in collaboration with Dana Salama.
As Hardly Found: Art and Tropical Architecture centres artists and artworks that have so far been overlooked by histories of ‘tropical architecture’. In this collection of essays, historians, artists and archivists address works of art connected to epicentres of teaching and practice within the movement – focusing on the Department of Tropical Architecture at the Architectural Association and its collaborators such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology – which emerged in the mid-20th century alongside anticolonial struggles that dismantled the British Empire.
Here, authors use creative, critical and speculative methods to inhabit the gaps in archives of tropical architecture, highlighting artworks in Nigeria, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Costa Rica, Cuba and the UK. Their contributions trace connections within a network of relations between art and architecture; one which recentres the rich and diverse forms of environmental knowledge, social values and material cultures contributed by artists working in these contexts.
We are delighted to welcome the editor, Albert Brenchat-Aguilar, and the team from AA Publications, who will give a short introduction to the book. A small installation will accompany, food and refreshments will be provided.
More info here: https://www.aaschool.ac.uk/publicprogramme/whatson/as-hardly-found
Book contents:
Hector Othon Corfiato (1892 – 3 May 1963) was a Greek architect (although some claim Egyptian). After studying at École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he established the firm of Corfiato, Thomson & Partners and was professor and director at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL from 1946 to 1959 (emeritus from 1960). He worked on various ecclesiastical projects including https://c20society.org.uk/c20-churches/notre-dame-de-france and https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/grade-ii-listing-for-rare-corfiato-church and after his retirement the Church at Debre Libanos, Ethiopia (circa 1961).
He also completed some further projects in Burma, and in West Africa for the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAS&T) in Zaria. Whilst in Nigeria he established an office at the collage and took on further projects including for the Manchester based firm G B Ollivant.
G B Ollivant (GBO) was bought by the United Africa Company in 1933 and transitioned from cotton and fabric trading into general retail, office supplies, and building management. Corfiato designed several bungalow types for the firm as well as a large retail store in Onitsha (1959) selling cottons, hardware, provisions, and fancy goods. The store was to connect to an existing Cosley store – which we suspect were hardware/builders merchants.
The building provided showroom spaces as well as retail and was probably used more for wholesaling than general retail. The exposed concrete frame of the building supported the overhanging roof to provide solar shading to the upper level whilst the ground floor had a further projecting canopy over pavement. It’s utilitarian and straightforward – but more than a mere warehouse and a considerable aesthetic departure from GBOs usual building style found elsewhere in West Africa. It’s looking more towards the ‘high end’ retail stores being built at the same time across Nigeria, and was part of the construction boom in Onitsha that saw the new cathedral (by Richard Nickson) and market hall (see Nigeria magazine no65, 1960).
Corfiato collaborated with various other architects about whom we know very little. They’re listed in Nigeria Magazine as just “Avis” and “Horner” and are given credit for designing the Dispensary at Zaria College and a store for Gottschalck in Kaduna. The Gottschalck store closely resembles the GBO store and was also part of the UAC group.
These projects raise a number of questions: Did Corfiato ever visit West Africa? Was he responsible for obtaining these commissions in the UK and then establishing a satellite office in Nigeria? Who were Avis and Horner? They were clearly a capable team and delivered some significant residential, educational, and commercial projects across Nigeria.
See https://bartletthistoryproject.tumblr.com/post/81996916344/hector-corfiato-extraordinary-man for more on Corfiato.
Have a peek at our inaugural AHUWA newsletter here: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/qgRzBtoiF2Snh
It’s devoted to our work-in-progress on the Polish architect Zdzisław Borysowicz – complete with lots of photos, basic biog on ‘Borys’ and how we managed to finally find out more on this fascinating architect….
This report presents findings from a comprehensive survey of 48 archives, collections, and repositories across Northwest England that contain significant West African historical material (1880-1980). We should have an interactive map of the archive locations published here shortly….
Here is a list of the archives consulted and key information for each collection/location/repository:
The research reveals a substantial but under-explored archival landscape that offers exceptional opportunities for advancing historical research into West Africa and its relationship with Northwest England. The collections span diverse themes including colonial administration, trade networks, missionary activities, healthcare, urban development, and cultural exchange, providing rich source material for interdisciplinary research projects.
Geographic and Temporal Parameters
The survey focused on historical West African material from former British colonies including Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, with additional consideration of materials from Congo, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, and Niger. The temporal scope encompasses the period 1880-1980, capturing the late colonial period through to early post-independence developments.
Thematic Categories
Research materials were categorised across key themes:
Collection Assessment Framework
Each archive was evaluated using a systematic approach that assessed:
Key Findings: Archive Landscape and Research Potential
Distribution and Scale
The survey identified 48 archives across Northwest England, primarily concentrated in the Merseyside region but extending to Manchester, Lancaster, and Chester. Seven archives achieved the highest relevance rating (5 stars), each containing over 20 linear metres of diverse West African materials spanning multiple themes and formats.
The collections encompass diverse formats offering multiple research approaches:
Documentary Sources:
Visual Materials:
Material Culture:
Unilever and United Africa Company Archives: The Unilever archives, particularly the United Africa Company (UAC) collection, represent one of the most comprehensive corporate archives relating to West African economic history. UAC, established in 1929 through the merger of the Royal Niger Company and the African and Eastern Trade Corporation, became the largest trading company in West Africa. The archives contain:
These materials offer unique insights into corporate colonialism, the mechanics of extractive economies, and the complex negotiations between European capital and African societies. The collection provides essential source material for understanding how global commodity chains operated at ground level and their impact on local communities.
Barclays Bank Archive: The Barclays collection contains extensive documentation of banking operations across West Africa, including:
The banking records provide crucial insights into how financial systems shaped economic development, facilitated trade networks, and influenced social relations across West Africa. These materials are particularly valuable for understanding the mechanics of colonial extraction and the evolution of financial institutions in post-colonial Africa.
Urban Development and Planning: The Archives contain substantial materials on colonial urban development, infrastructure projects, and city planning initiatives. These sources offer opportunities to examine how European urban planning concepts were implemented in West African contexts and their lasting impact on contemporary cities.
Medical and Public Health History: Rich documentation of colonial health initiatives, medical practices, and public health campaigns provides foundation for research into the history of medicine in West Africa, disease management, and the development of healthcare infrastructure.
Commercial and Trade Networks: Extensive shipping, banking, and commercial records illuminate the economic relationships between Northwest England and West Africa, offering insights into trade networks, commodity flows, and economic development patterns. Of particular significance are the Unilever archives (including the United Africa Company records) and the Barclays Bank archive, which contain unparalleled documentation of corporate operations, trading networks, and financial systems that shaped West African economic development throughout the colonial and post-colonial periods.
Religious and Cultural Exchange: Missionary records, religious materials, and cultural documentation provide resources for examining religious transformation, cultural exchange, and the complex dynamics of colonial encounter.
Colonial Administration: Administrative records and governance documents enable research into colonial policy implementation, administrative structures, and the mechanics of imperial control.
Interdisciplinary Research Potential
The diversity of materials supports multiple disciplinary approaches:
Historical Research:
Urban Studies:
Medical History:
Cultural Studies:
The geographic concentration of archives creates opportunities for:
Multi-Archive Projects: Researchers can access complementary materials across institutions, enabling comprehensive studies that draw on diverse source types and perspectives.
Network Building: The established archive network provides foundation for collaborative research initiatives, shared resources, and coordinated access to materials. The University of Liverpool and AHUWA are particularly well-positioned to serve as coordinating institutions/centres for multi-archive research projects, leveraging their expertise in West African studies and established international partnerships.
Digital Humanities Applications: The variety of materials (textual, visual, material) offers opportunities for digital humanities projects, including digitization initiatives, database development, and online exhibitions. The University of Liverpool’s digital humanities infrastructure and AHUWA’s focus on accessibility make this an ideal location for developing innovative digital approaches to archival research.
Institutional Research Capacity: University of Liverpool and AHUWA
University of Liverpool Research Infrastructure: The University of Liverpool is exceptionally well-positioned to capitalise on this rich archival landscape. As a leading institution in historical research with strong connections to West African studies, the university offers:
AHUWA Research Centre: The Architecture, Heritage, and Urbanism in Western Africa (AHUWA) research centre provides a specialized institutional framework for maximising the research potential of these archival collections. AHUWA’s mission and expertise make it ideally suited to:
The combination of Liverpool’s institutional resources and AHUWA’s specialised focus creates an unparalleled opportunity for developing the research potential of Northwest England’s West African archives.
1. Comparative Colonial Studies The archives support comparative research across different West African territories, examining variations in colonial policy, administration, and outcomes.
2. Economic History Networks Trade and commercial records enable mapping of economic relationships, commodity flows, and the development of trans-Atlantic commercial networks. The Unilever/UAC and Barclays archives are particularly valuable for examining corporate colonialism, financial systems, and the evolution of global commodity chains. These collections support research into topics such as:
3. Urban Development Studies Planning documents and architectural materials provide foundation for examining colonial urban development and its contemporary implications.
4. Medical and Public Health History Healthcare records offer opportunities to examine the development of tropical medicine, public health initiatives, and medical knowledge transfer.
Cross-Archive Analysis: Researchers should develop strategies for working across multiple archives to build comprehensive pictures of historical processes and relationships. The corporate archives (Unilever/UAC and Barclays) can be particularly productive when analysed in conjunction with government records, missionary materials, and local documentation.
Digital Integration: Consider developing digital platforms that integrate materials from multiple archives, enabling new forms of analysis and presentation. The University of Liverpool’s technical capabilities and AHUWA’s research focus provide ideal foundations for such initiatives.
Community Engagement: Explore opportunities for community-based research that connects archival materials with contemporary West African communities in Northwest England. AHUWA’s community engagement expertise and Liverpool’s diverse population create opportunities for participatory research approaches.
Emerging Themes
The archive survey suggests several promising research directions:
1. Infrastructure and Development: Examining colonial infrastructure projects and their long-term implications for contemporary development challenges.
2. Knowledge Transfer: Investigating how knowledge, practices, and technologies moved between West Africa and Northwest England.
3. Cultural Networks: Exploring the cultural connections and exchanges that developed through colonial relationships.
4. Corporate Colonialism and Business History: The Unilever/UAC and Barclays archives provide exceptional opportunities for examining the role of European corporations in shaping West African development, including studies of extractive economies, corporate-state relations, and business adaptation to decolonization.
5. Post-Colonial Continuities: Examining how colonial-era relationships evolved in the post-independence period, with particular attention to ongoing corporate and financial connections.
Methodological Innovation
The archives offer opportunities for methodological innovation in:
Conclusion
The West African archival materials in Northwest England represent a significant and underutilised resource for historical research. The diversity of collections, spanning multiple themes and formats, provides foundation for innovative research projects that can advance understanding of West African history, colonial relationships, and their contemporary implications. The exceptional corporate archives, particularly the Unilever/UAC and Barclays collections, offer unique insights into the mechanics of colonial economies and corporate power in Africa.
The established network of 48 archives, combined with the research capacity of the University of Liverpool and the specialized expertise of AHUWA, offers exceptional opportunities for collaborative research, comparative studies, and interdisciplinary projects. With seven archives containing substantial holdings and many others providing specialized materials, researchers have access to comprehensive source bases for addressing complex historical questions about corporate colonialism, financial systems, and economic development.
The University of Liverpool’s institutional strengths and AHUWA’s focused mission create an ideal environment for developing the research potential of these collections. Their combined expertise in West African studies, digital humanities, and community engagement provides the foundation for innovative methodological approaches and collaborative research initiatives that can significantly advance historical understanding.
Moving forward, the research community should prioritize developing collaborative frameworks that maximise the potential of these collections, with particular attention to the corporate archives that offer unique insights into the mechanics of colonial extraction and economic development. The foundations established through this survey, combined with Liverpool’s institutional capacity and AHUWA’s specialised focus, provide the groundwork for a new generation of research that can significantly advance historical understanding of West Africa and its relationship with Northwest England.
Navigating Archival Fieldwork in Mumbai: Challenges, Opportunities, and Positionality
Excy Hansda E.Hansda@liverpool.ac.uk
A few months ago, I finished my fieldwork for my PhD research in Architectural History. My research investigates the microhistories of the middle-class Indians who moved to the suburbs of Bombay in the early twentieth century and the kind of spaces they lived in. Looking at a postcolonial angle, I am interested in questioning the colonial suburban vision and by highlighting the Indian agency in shaping the suburban urban housing projects, neighbourhoods and their dwellings in late-colonial Bombay. This blog reflects on the challenges and opportunities I encountered while conducting fieldwork in Mumbai. As an Indian PhD scholar based in England, fluent in both English and Hindi, I found that my position brought unique advantages and complications to archival research in Mumbai.
I have prior experience working in archives in both the UK and India. I quickly realized that my background—an Indian architect affiliated with a British academic institution working on a historical subject—often piqued interest in my project. Despite the initial curiosity my profile evoked, I was one of hundreds of Non-Resident Indians (NRI) affiliated with overseas institutions, and this seldom translated into privilege. If anything, being a North Indian, I was seen as a foreigner in Mumbai. Accessing senior bureaucrats in archival institutions and getting information smoothly and efficiently remained particularly difficult.
Finding the Right Archives
I began “getting the data” early in my PhD (February 2023), in parallel with my literature review. I started with the India Office Records at the British Library in London and expanded my search to include collections at the Liverpool School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the School of Oriental and African Studies, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the National Archives at Kew, and others. I investigated diverse sources—Annual Administrative Reports, maps, manuals, and published books. However, due to the hyper-specific focus of my study, initial results were limited.
This led me to change my methodological approach. I revisited the literature and drew on approaches from disciplines such as cultural studies, English literature, and sociology. This led me to explore unofficial sources such as online newspapers, Town Planning Review and the Journal of the Indian Institute of Architects at the Royal Institute of British Architects Archives in London. This helped me expand my knowledge of my subject.
My first fieldwork trip to Mumbai (January 2024) opened a new chapter. I visited the Maharashtra State Archives (MSA) at Elphinstone College, Mumbai, where I discovered files rich in minute detail—memos, petitions, letters, advertisements, maps, municipal debates, and more—everything useful for my research, unlike the colonial records in London, which largely included annual administrative reports and policy documents of the colonial bodies like the Bombay Improvement Trust and the Bombay Development Department, the Mumbai archives revealed the voices and subjectivities of local Indian residents who contested colonial policies and many cases of negotiations, contestations and even micro-scale conflicts which were often absent from official reports.
Missing Records and the State of Archives
Accessing the archives was not easy. The MSA, one of India’s oldest surviving archives, is poorly maintained and has limited funds. Files are deteriorating, and storage conditions are far from ideal. The reading room is small and dusty, with limited hours—open only five days a week, six hours per day, with an hour-long lunch break. Visitors can request just five files a day. The retrieval process is slow (waiting over two hours is common). Photography is not allowed, and one must request Xerox (Fig 1) or scanned copies, which are payable only in cash. Getting Xeroxes can take 20 days or more; scans may take months. (I am still waiting for the scans that I requested in February) Therefore, I resorted to transcribing the files and making notes (Fig 3 and 4).
Many records are missing. Files before the 1920s are largely uncatalogued and are organized as volumes for entire years for each department of the archives (Revenue, Judicial, PWD, General). Finding specific content means reading through these thick volumes page by page. For post-1920s material, although some cataloguing exists, it’s often incomplete. These are specific files which are numbered, and the numbers correspond to the numbers present in the hefty indices. One has to go through the indices in order to find the files.
Once a file is located, an office peon brings it—after dusting it off (Fig 2). Some are missing completely, and the office peons cannot find them. Others are in fragmented conditions, so they cannot be accessed. While others have missing maps or pages which are crumbling into fragments.
Fig 1: Xerox of a page in a file located at the MSA
Fig 2: A File on Co-operative Housing Society at the MSA
Fig 3 and 4: Transcriptions and Notes I made based on information available in archival documents at the MSA
Finding Sources
A central database for archival material simply does not exist. I relied heavily on human networks: clerks, peons, research assistants, historians, archivists, and fellow researchers. Often, they directed me to smaller archives—usually cramped rooms within municipal offices—where old documents were kept in poor condition and disorganized bulk.
At the MSA in Elphinstone College, I was directed to the Old Customs House in Mumbai. There, I learned they only housed records from Bombay City, so I was redirected to the archives at the Municipal Corporation Office of Bombay Suburban District in Bandra, only to be told that my time period of interest was not covered. Eventually, I was pointed toward ward offices, municipal boards, and local talathi (village record) offices.
Due to reorganization across the colonial and post-independence eras and the separation of districts and provincial state, records have been scattered. The only way to find them is through local knowledge—gathered from seasoned researchers, administrators, or office staff. Sometimes, I stumbled upon data in unexpected places, such as the Dadar municipal archives or the Art Deco Mumbai Society, which provided helpful secondary sources in English and vernacular languages (Fig 5 and 6).
Fig 5 and 6: Books obtained at the Art Deco Mumbai Trust, Mumbai
The reception of these archives was also varied. Sometimes, the staff was friendly and gave me access to files, right after I showed him my ID card and university letters. In other cases, I was made to wait for half an hour before meeting the upper bureaucrat. Sometimes, I had to follow up several times before they granted me permission to visit their archives. This was the case of Municipal Corporation archives, Mumbai.
Navigating the Neighbourhoods
Beyond archives, the buildings themselves served as vital secondary sources. Many twentieth-century buildings had been demolished, redeveloped, or repurposed. Some stood vacant; others had been converted into commercial spaces, with original residents gone.
Identifying buildings from the 1930s–40s required searching for buildings with style, typology and aesthetics matching that of the 20th-century architecture of Bombay. I used secondary literature available on Mumbai, tips from fellow researchers and architects working in Mumbai, detailed reports from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region – Heritage Conservation Society (MMR-HCS), and a database created by Art Deco Mumbai Trust to search buildings. These contained valuable mapping and description of old historic surviving buildings with histories of ownership, years of construction, sketches, photographs, and drawings. I used these for site observations and photographing the exteriors of the building (Fig 7 and 8).
Fig 7 and 8: Walking in the suburban town of Khar, Mumbai as a Method to Collect Data
However, accessing the interior of the buildings was a different challenge. I was often accompanied by a local Marathi-speaking friend to help communicate. His surname “Patil”, which is common in Mumbai, could have helped me start a conversation with the local residents of Mumbai suburbs- so I thought. Residents were tight-lipped, asking questions like “Kahan rehte ho?” (Where do you live?), “Marathi nahi aati kya?” (Don’t you know Marathi?), and “Kya dharam/jaat/surname hai?” (What’s your religion/caste/surname?). These euphemistic inquiries exposed the enduring social divisions of caste, class, and religion—reminding me that while buildings and built fabric might have changed, social fabrics and the mindset of the people are just the same as in the 1930s-40s Bombay.
Language
In the scrutiny of archival works, language skills were sometimes difficult. Language agitation and violence in the name of protecting Marathi culture and identity are common in Mumbai and the provincial state of Maharashtra, where outsiders are forced to speak in Marathi. However, most of the time, people were helpful to me in finding the source materials. The historians in academic and non-academic institutions were proficient in English, Hindi, and Marathi, and they helped me with ideas for my projects. People, especially those working in lower bureaucracy, were able to speak Hindi and directed me to people and places where I could retrieve information.
Logistics of Living in Mumbai
One has to find the right months to work in Mumbai. Working in August was not ideal. The intense humidity and monsoons made things spectacularly difficult. Working in summer could be difficult as well, as the heat is intense and the humidity is dangerously high. Working during the winter is better, though it is mosquito season. I lived in Vasai, a northern suburban town outside Mumbai, and used to commute on a local train two hours away from the archives, which was at the final southern station of Bombay city. Just like what I wanted to study, I lived like a middle-class person who lived in the suburbs and commuted to the city to make ends meet.
Final Reflections
Someone who works at, for example, the British Library or the Biblioteque Nationale, would not expect this set of challenges. These challenges included obtaining sources of information from beyond the archives, pursuing people to find information, and collecting data in sometimes un-welcoming environments, for which one needs to have a different approach towards them. Being a people’s person and being street-smart helps. Networking and making connections with people make things easier and give you access to a substantial amount of information. Whilst there were complications, it was an enriching experience, making me skilled in finding sources of information, connecting dots, finding and sometimes creating a thread, and keeping backup plans ready. Here, adaptability and patience helped. Having relationships with people has helped me more than having any institutional affiliations,
Fig 9: The sign board at the local railway station from where I boarded the train to the archives, every morning
Fig 10: The family with their neighbours with whom I lived in Mumbai suburbs
Finally, although having friends-like family in Mumbai and its suburbs made me somewhat familiar with the city, however being a North Indian, miles away from Mumbai, I am sure I might not have noticed a lot of subtleties both inside and outside the archives and sites of inquiry. On the other hand, as a scholar based in England, I found certain information in files, ideas, or simply the way of living striking, which Mumbaikars would have taken for granted. I am indebted to the Patil family and my friends at IIT Powai, where I imposed myself for a significant time period. Also, my colleagues who I knew before and the ones whom I met at the archives helped me point out interesting details, showed me directions during this fieldwork, and accompanied me on several site visits. These certainly positioned me in how I was looking at the sources, the archives, the people, the suburbs and the city.
Transnational Architecture Group 