16 Facts About Gira Sarabhai

Gira Sarabhai was an Indian architect, designer, and a design pedagogue.

Gira Sarabhai was born into the Sarabhai family and was the youngest of eight siblings.

Gira Sarabhai is known for contributing to several industrial and educational projects in Gujarat.

Gira Sarabhai was the representative of the Sarabhai Foundation, a public charitable trust.

Gira, along with her brother Gautam Sarabhai were crucial in establishing and designing the academic curricula of National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

Gira Sarabhai was born on 11 December 1923 to industrialist Ambalal Sarabhai and Reva in Ahmedabad and was the youngest of their eight children.

Gira Sarabhai was home schooled along with her siblings, and never had a formal education.

Gira and her brother, Gautam Sarabhai worked together in Calico Mills, and in several other architecture and design projects.

Gira Sarabhai started Shilpi, a graphic design agency which was the first Indian based advertising agency.

In 1949, Gira Sarabhai established, designed the building, and curated the Calico Museum of Textiles which houses a historic collection of Indian fabrics.

Gira Sarabhai would visit the institute, observe the students and give valuable feedback and make sure the students have full access to the Calico Museum, a privilege not extended to others.

Gira Sarabhai was instrumental in selecting a wide selection of books, magazines, periodicals from audio-visual material for NID's library.

In 1964, Gira Sarabhai invited George Nakashima to the institute, where he designed various furniture articles.

Until Gira Sarabhai stepped down in 1975, production of the designs continued based on the drawings and instructions by Nakashima.

Gira Sarabhai invited several people from the Royal College of Art in London to serve as consultants for NID.

Gira Sarabhai died on 15 July 2021 at her residence in Shahibaug, Ahmedabad.