This paper aims at revealing the physical attributes of the design which a potential to manifest the contemporary French architectural style at urban level at Puducherry. In pursuit of this, Brunswik's Lens model is applied to make the assessment. This study investigated: (1) To what extent the distal cues have the potential in manifesting the French architectural characteristics among the contemporary built environment in Puducherry; (2) to what extent the proximal cues have the potential in manifesting the French architectural characteristics among the contemporary built environment in Puducherry; and (3) what is the combined effect of both proximal and distal cues in manifesting the French architectural characteristics among the contemporary built environment in Puducherry. The studies were conducted from selected nine urban setting streets in puducherry where contemporary built environment was existing. Data collected from 251 respondents by questionnaire and interview methods were analyzed and applied in the Lens model for assessing the overall effect of the physical attributes in manifesting the French architectural characteristics. As per our findings, revealed that proximal cues have stronger potential in manifesting the French style and the combined effect of both the proximal and distal cues would become a key factor while arriving at a framework of guidelines for future development in order to keep up the connection of French style in Puducherry.

Puducherry is one of the oldest colonies belonging to the French regime in the southern part of India. The town, by virtue of its planning and disposition, has a unique pattern at the larger level of perception and it has been impregnated by the design principles that were adopted some 200 years back by the French people.

Nevertheless, the town stands for its mixed culture at the societal level and displays an amalgamative environmental setting which carry the physical feature attributes at the building and street levels, creating an ambience that is full of French style.

Although the town has French architectural characteristics, the style is amorphous in nature and in recent times the architectural identity is at jeopardy for the speed and nature of development it has been experiencing there may be only handful of settings that may be still available as a reminiscence of French characteristic town.

Ipso facto, it has been felt by the stakeholders to take necessary measures to preserve the identity of the French architectural settings in the town. In pursuit of this, a systematic study investigating physical feature attributes is carried out among the contemporary built environment in order to identify the potential features in portraying the French architectural characteristics and the reasons for development in the town, so that appropriate measures can be adopted at the planning and developmental levels.

Due to rapid development, the town lost its identity and features that manifest its characteristics, as new materials and technology made their entry. Therefore, it is high time that the administration looks into this issue to generate awareness and frame a policy so that the physical features manifesting the French characteristics are brought back to rejuvenate the town in its overall development in the contemporary built environment.

Architecture Journal, French Architectural Style, Lens Model Approach, French Architectural Characteristics, Domestic Tourists, Geometrical Forms, Research Methodology, Neoclassic Architectural Style, Puducherry Streets, Proximal Cues, Developmental Levels.