World renowned Pakistani architect Habib Fida Ali passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2017 in Karachi, Pakistan. Habib Fida Ali was one of the most prominent Pakistan's architects contributing on modernist architecture through his three basic design principles; timelessness, simplicity and functionality.

Habib Fida Ali, 81, born in 1935 in Karachi and he always was recognised worldwide for his contributions to the field of modern minimalist architecture. Fida Ali was known and embraced as Pakistan's very own Mies Van Der Rohe for several years by claiming the same phrase 'less is more'- to the guiding principle of his work.

Allied Bank Head Office in Lahore-one of the latest projects of the architect

Habib Fida Ali established his own practice Habib Fida Ali Architects in 1965 as a sole proprietor and his works focused on Pakistan's modernist tradition with monumental but simplistic buildings. He travelled a lot around the world and visited universities in Canada, Istanbul and Iran to see how some institutions were well-designed in such places.

Fida Ali was the first Pakistani student to be admitted to the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA), London, UK, from where he graduated in 1962. Prior to his own practice, Fida Ali returned to Pakistan in 1963 to work with William Perry in Karachi. The architect was always trying to understand his clients better and what kind of a house they really want, so the architect was spending his own time by only living with them. Even, some of his colleagues said that ''he lived for a month with GM Adamjee before designing the family house in Karachi.''

Kalachi Kulum Annexe completed in 2008, Kalanchi, Pakistan-Retail&Entertainment building

The architect designed many Head Offices in Pakistan and some of them include; head offices of National Bank of Pakistan, Sui Southern Gas Company, Faysal Bank and Shell. Fida Ali's greatest works, among others, include the restoration of the Mohatta Palace in Karachi, the campus of LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences), Sui Northern and Southern Gas buildings, National Bank of Pakistan, residences of eminent businessmen, intellectuals and entrepreneurs.

A published book in 2010 titled 'The Architecture of Habib Fida Ali' features Ali Fida's greatest works and his involvement in projects shows how he designs from strategic planning, through concept design and construction administration. The book published by internationally renowned architect Hasan-Uddin Khan. 

Shell House completed in 1978 in Karachi, Pakistan

Having completed the building in 1976, KDA awarded Habib Fida Ali a gold medal for it, calling the Shell House the best building constructed after partition. Fida Ali singled out all the greats of architecture, Louis Kahn, Le Corbusier, Luis Barragan, Tadao Ando in Japan and Geoffrey Bawa in Sri Lanka. He called them 'his heroes.' Faizan Ali Warraich from Lahore adds: The death of architect Habib Fida Ali shocked the people who were close to him. He had a number of friends in Lahore.

Renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada told The Nation that Habib Fida Ali was known for his simplicity in his architect. ''He was my contemporary and together we talked in many seminars and fora. Habib introduced the simplicity in modern architecture in Pakistan. Just look at the LUMS's building it has all the glory of simplicity in it just because of Habib Fida's innovative ideas in the field of architecture'', he said.

Midway House (now Ramada) completed in 1982, Karachi, Pakistan

Dada said he will be remembered for his contribution in architecture which is present in the form of many buildings that he designed as an architect.

''Habib's straight forward approach in building structures instead of spending huge lot of money and over-crowded structures made him different from all others'', Dada said. National College of Arts Principal Dr Murtaza Jafri said that Fida was senior architect and he contributed a lot in the field of architecture and served as a role model for young architects.

Kulsum Jotoi Residence completed in 2009, Karachi, Pakistan

''Habib set an example by his work for youth that commitment to your work is the key to become a great person. He used architecture as a medium to transform new thoughts in people's minds. Pakistan has lost a towering personality in the beginning of this year,'' Dr Murtaza said.

Habib Fida Ali Architects continue its own practice with 12 architects & Interior Designers, 17 CAD & 3D Draftsman and a total work-force of 40+ people in Karachi.

All images courtesy of HFA

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