Abdur Rahman Hye – popularly known as A.R. Hye is considered as pioneer of institutional architecture in Pakistan. A naturally talented architect who has fathered many institutional buildings such as schools, colleges and hospitals. A keen observer who had a very vast travel experience, which was deeply accentuated in his design aesthetics.
Early life
Abdur Rahman Hye was born on 17 December 1919 in Hyderabad, present day Andhra Pradesh, India. He got his early education from a school in his vicinity but graduated from Sir J. J. College of Architecture, Bombay before Pakistan got its independence in 1947.
AR Hye travelled on an ocean liner namely SS lle de France to travel from Bombay to the United Kingdom; where he studied ahead to become an architect. He completed his architecture degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1951 and was awarded a membership of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Hye went to Europe in the times of World War II and witnessed the destruction of the war and reconstruction of the era closely. This influenced his personal architectural philosophy which was later depicted in his own designs.
A.R Hye specialized in tropical architecture at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London in the 1960s.
Career
Pakistan got independence while Hye was still in the UK. He moved to Pakistan and on his return; tried to establish himself on the architectural forefront of the newly born state. This is the mere reason A. R. Hye is considered to be the father of institutional architecture in Pakistan.
One of the biggest tasks he was granted on his return was to design and build the infrastructure of the new country. He started his career by planning the port city of Chittagong and became the chief town planner. He also worked on the architectural planning of Dhaka.
Later on in 1958, Hye joined the government and became the first chief architect of the government of Pakistan.
Nishtar Medical College, Multan
He designed many architectural buildings which were government sponsored across the country in cities like Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Jhelum, Multan. Gujrat, Faisalabad, Hyderabad and even Kalabagh.
Hye served as the chief architect of the Generals Combatant Headquarter (GHQ) and he designed the entire GHQ buildings and the adjacent areas serving the military staff services.
Famous work
There are so many buildings designed by A R HYe scattered on the soils of Pakistan but here are a few which are more renowned:
- Nishtar Medical College, Multan
- Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
- Auditorium, Lahore College for Women University
- Addition in the buildings of APWA college for women
- Officers Housing, GOR III Shadman, Lahore
- Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, Dhaka
- Buildings at Mayo Hospital, Lahore
Abdur Rahman Hye was a great architect who spent his time in travelling and working. He retired from federal service in 1981. Later on he lived a few years in the United States of America but finally settled in Islamabad in 1995. He lived a peaceful life in Islamabad in a house designed by himself.
A R Hye took his last breath on 18th September 2008 and made his last journey for a final abode.
