KARACHI: An unsung hero of the urban landscape of Karachi turned out to be architect Alfredo Kotzian.

Hailing from Italy, Alfredo Kotzian is credited to have designed (between 1950 and 1970) more than 13 homes of prominent individuals in Pakistan. A recent project by students of an architecture school aims to examine, collect and present the legacy of his work in Pakistan — where he seemed to have spent most of his working life.

A pre-launch for a book based on the work of Italian architect Alfredo Kotzian was held at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Karachi the other day.

The event, supported by the Italian consulate, also coincided with Italian Design Day, which is celebrated in over 100 cities around the world on March 1 every year.

Speaking on the occasion, the Consul General for Italy in Karachi, Anna Ruffino, said: “I am very happy and enthusiastic about this project that shows the strong connection between our two countries and I think that the book has to be published!

Although he may have contributed to the architecture of the wealthy in the city, not much is known about Kotzian. “Finding information about him has been quite a journey,” says Hussain Jesserwala, architect and former professor at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. He oversaw this project that was completed by his students, including Salman Rashidi and Hafsa Asad, who also shared their experiences later on. “He is not alive anymore. He has one daughter and one son. There is only one photo of him. This picture we found through the support of the Tapal Family.”

Most notably, Kotzian designed both the Bhutto House (70, Old Clifton) and Tapal House in Clifton. He also designed Al Murtaza House in Larkana. According to the organisers, both the Bhutto House and Al Murtaza were commissioned by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. “We find out halfway through the project,” says Jesserwala. They showed some blueprints and drawings by the architect, all done purely by hand. Jesserwala commented how this was in such contrast to how architects now use computers and software to create blueprints. He also commented that when it came to the Bhutto properties, blueprints were not available as, “The original plans had been confiscated during Ziaul Haq’s regime.”

The book is due to be published in a few months.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2018