In the 1940s, Chanakyapuri was a jungle where a young IFS family bought land near Kautilya Marg. In 1954, architect Karl Malte von Heinz built them an Indian bungalow, an early example of Delhi's modernism. The house draws from the German modernism of Austrian-born Heinz, who fled the Nazi regime to India.
In the early days of Chanakyapuri's development, a young Indian Foreign Service family purchased a plot near Kautilya Marg in the 1940s, skeptical about future growth. In 1954, Karl Malte von Heinz was commissioned to build their Indian bungalow. Born in Austria in 1904 and trained in German modernism, Heinz arrived in India after the Nazi attacks on Bauhaus and modernist culture.
The house features a glorious staircase crafted by temple workers, with an ornate balustrade depicting South Asian fauna. Wide verandahs wrap parts of the structure, allowing light and air while keeping heat out. Terrazzo floors, a fireplace in the drawing room and study, and occasionally a wine cellar below are notable. The exterior is cubic with subtle textured surfaces, like dotted motifs.
Heinz adapted to the Indian climate through rational principles: function before ornament, verandahs for shade, massive walls for insulation, and openings to control glare. He also designed diplomatic buildings for Pakistan, Thailand, Yugoslavia, and the Vatican. This residence suited civil servants and diplomats seeking modern living attuned to local conditions.
During construction, a friend bought the adjacent plot but returned it, doubting development. The oversized house was later leased to prominent figures, including the Nawab of Rampur, at 1,500 rupees rent in the 1950s. Today, it represents Delhi's post-Independence and Partition rebuilding, blending local materials with international ideas. Anica Mann, who works on archaeology and contemporary art in Delhi, highlights its significance.
