Chandrakant Jadav was born in Tanzania and educated in Dare es Salaam, before coming to the UK and studying Architecture at the Northern Polytechnic, in London. He graduated in 1960 and is listed as attending the Architectural Association Department of Tropical Studies from 1963-64, enrolling on their postgraduate course on a ‘lectures only’ basis (meaning he would not be eligible for the Department of Tropical Studies Certificate). Soon after the end of the course, he cashed in his return air ticket to Tanzania and instead travelled home by land and sea, hitchhiking and visiting architectural sites on the route, whenever possible. On his return to Tanzania, Jadav became aware of rumours that Asians within Tanzania might be ‘compelled’ to leave the country (fueled by similar events that had occurred in Uganda) and he resolved to firstly visit Canada and then set up practice in India. Jadav was captivated by his experience in Canada, particularly visiting the Expo ’67 world’s fair in Montreal, and decided to find stay and find work. His initial job was with an Ontario firm, followed by work with the telecommunications company, Bell Canada, and then the Canadian government’s Federal Transport Division. For the latter organisation, Jadav worked on a number of airports in Ontario. By the late 1970s he had transferred to Parks Canada and was working in Alberta, where he made important contributions, establishing design guidelines for all town sites in the western parks, and ensuring provision of barrier free design enabling visitor access to park facilities. In 1996 he retired from his role as Head of Contemporary Architectural Services, Parks Canada – only to start his own business running cultural and wildlife viewing tours to India and East Africa.

Sources

• Architectural Association Student Register 1945-1972, AA Archives
• RIBA Directory, 1985. Royal Institute of British Architects, 1985 pM-173
• Calgary Herald, 11th May, 2006, p98
• C. Jadav, ‘Surprise Landing’ More Our Canada, 1st March, 2023