2024-11-15T04:48:01-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/44753549/save-the-only-neutra-in-pakistan Zehra Ahmed 2012-04-12T15:05:00-04:00 >2024-01-23T19:16:08-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/3e/3ehunkobth93gcqk.png?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p> "In 1955, the US State Department commissioned Richard Neutra to design a new embassy in Karachi. Neutra's appointment was part of an ambitious program of architectural commissions to renowned architects, which included embassies by Walter Gropius in Athens, Edward Durrell Stone in New Delhi, Marcel Breuer in The Hague, Josep Lluis Sert in Baghdad and Eero Saarinen in London."&#8232;&#8232;</p> <p> Neutra referred to these other buildings as &ldquo;just pretty buildings&rdquo; and called his design as &ldquo;stripped for action&rdquo;. A slightly curved stately white rectangular slab punctuated with narrow rectangular windows suitable for Karachi&rsquo;s hot climate. A building which has seen a lot of activity, from International and State affairs to movie screenings, art openings and car bomb attacks in 2002 and 2006 which led to its eventual shut down to the public. It seems obvious that such a space be repurposed with the same energy it once had for local and international culture. Its demolition would not only mean the loss...</p>