CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & TECHNOLOGY

Ahmedabad,Gujarat
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The CEPT campus is located over 6 acres of land in Navrangpura area of the city of Ahmedabad Architect: Ar. B V Doshi

The planning of the building blocks has been done so as to distribute spaces amongst intensive landscape.
The school of architecture was first built in 1962 with adequate facilities of expansion. The CEPT has four schools functioning under it, viz : School of Planning School of Architecture School of Building Science & Technology School of Interior Design
CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

IDEOLOGIES ON WHICH THE INSTITUTE HAS BEEN DESIGNED

There has to be a feeling of no restriction to the exchange of ideas and thoughts through an informal environment. A thrust has to be given on the provision of flexible spaces which can be used in a multifunctional manner. A strong interconnectivity amongst spaces is required, making the school an open space with hardly any doors .

A proper working environment has been created which facilitates faculty and students to teach, learn and interact anywhere . Local materials have been used, essentially to reduce the installation and maintenance costs.

SITE PLAN
CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

 Planning
5 The overall planning has been done around the central court with built masses on sides and green on one side which gives the campus noise protection from traffic. 4 6 3 2 8 1 11 12 13 14 Architect has included uneven contours into the plan transforming a drawback into a delightful experience of space.

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CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

 Infrastructure and Functioning

1. ACADEMIC ACADEMIC FRAMEWORK

Classroom CEPT campus has combined of four individual Design studios schools Building science & construction laboratory 1. School of planning Computer laboratories 2. School of architecture Structural laboratory 3. School of building science and technology Environmental science laboratory The photography and documentation laboratory 4. School of interior design Material museum and display Modeling workshop Faculty of Architecture Printing and reprographic facilities Faculty of Planning & Public Policy 2. ADMINISTRATIVE Office Head of Dept. Meeting Room Staff
Faculty of Design Faculty of Technology Faculty of Technology Management Faculty of Arts & Humanities Faculty of Geomatics & Space Applications Faculty of Infrastructure Systems Faculty of Sustainable Environment & Climate Change Faculty of Doctoral Studies - Research fellowship Faculty of Landscape Studies

CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

 PARKING & ENTRANCE

Parking Facility has been provided adjacent to the entry by the provision of an open space. Two wheeler parking is also provided near the doshi gufa. The entry to School of architecture is through a split staircase which leads to the second level of the building . BASEMENT The basement has been designed as a multipurpose space. It is a very active space of the campus. On one side of the basement you can see the rising contours, and on the other side steps unto the central courtyard. Thus the north and south walls have been avoided

CENTRAL COURTYARD The central court is a combination of paved and unpaved areas, shaded by trees in certain areas. All entrances are linked to the courtyard by pedestrian pathways. Hence the courtyard is an area of heavy circulation and interaction.
CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

 LIBRARY

CEPT library houses approx. 50000 books , technical videos and reading material in the subject of architecture, interior design, construction, technology, and management, urban and regional planning, housing, environmental planning, urban design, landscape architecture, civil engg. Structure design, visual art, humanities etc.
OUTDOOR CIRCULATION The circulation with in this the campus is pedestrians. The vehicular access is restricted along the periphery of the campus. There are lot of trees within the enclosed spaces from where all the building are accessed which provide ample shade and comfort. INDOOR CIRCULATION The circulation within the building is very complicated with lots of level changes and staircases at different level. The internal staircase lacks natural light in many places spiral stairs are used are widely uncomfortable for daily use. The corridors are less and short length. All the places within are visually interconnected.
CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

 STUDIOS
Studios are very interesting with north facing slanted windows on the wall which brings a lot of light in the interiors of the studio. Panels at the sides help the students to put up the important and useful sheets. All the studios are above one another, along with the adjacent lecture rooms. This has both negative and positive effect on studios. makes noise for both the studios. There are common interaction zones between the studios of different years.

CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

 The studio spaces have bay spaces facing the exterior, creating semi-private spaces which are yet totally open to the exterior spaces where the individual can be alone with nature even in the environment of a studio. The language Doshi has used is of exposed brick with concrete, emphasising the slabs and the beams to create a natural coarse texture. The changing sense of light , climate, vegeation plays strong role in creating dynamic learning and social space. Play of light and shadows. Relating the community Space to the environment

Semi Private Spaces

Truth to Materials

The design is intended to be close to nature and experiment the designing skills, play with levels etc. Since the land was earlier a brick kiln hence the site was undulated and gave opportunity to play with levels.
Play with levels
CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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A stepped section of the building helps in a smooth and effective airflow in the hot climate of Ahmedabad. The contours make the site very level oriented and one can see the utilization of landform in the design.

Recessed windows provide protection from the hot sun, while angled windows assure that maximum light reaches the interiors.

CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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 School Of Interior Design

CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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 CANTEEN The canteen and the adjoining areas are of great importance to the students. Students as well as teachers are comfortable here. There are external built in seats which encourage discussions and which over the years have evolved into the most active vibrant part of the entire campus.

GAMES The spaces in the basement as well as outdoor courts have been dedicated to indoor and outdoor games respectively .
CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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 HUSSAIN-DOSHI GUFA
To enhance the cave like feeling of gallery, the contours of the site were retained, rather than being leveled. The gently undulating surface of the earth can still be perceived beneath the thin concrete floor slab poured over it. Its a common gathering space and art exhibitions are held in the complex and within a newly constructed art gallery within the gufa complex
CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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 KANORIA ARTS CENTRE

Exhibitions of student and artist works Classroom Spaces Workspace at the backyard

CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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 PAPER MAKING & CLAY WORKSHOPS

CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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Classroom Exhibits

Flexible usage of space

Vertical spaces

Open floor areas

Corridoor Spaces and lobbies used for exhibits

EXHIBIT SPACES
CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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 INTERACTIVE SPACES Autonomous Status has made it possible for CEPT to have a close interaction between the students & the professional experts as well as to establish students & faculty exchange programs with institutions in India & abroad. In-depth interaction with the faculty & students is ensured.

The steps in fact become external activity hubs with students using the levels for reading, organising informal discussions, performances or even for simply lazing around.

Neem Trees providing shade

North Lawn

View of main entry path

LANDSCAPE Trees, landscaped courts and planters give shade in the hot climate. There are also small plants within the building and plotted plants at places which makes nice entry gesture. There exists a harmony running throughout the whole campus, building and nature coexisting in a comfortable relationship.
CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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 FLEXIBLE INDOOR & OUTDOOR SPACES

Transformable Classrooms

Auditorium-Meetings

Outdoor Classrooms

Exhibit open space-Outdoor Classrooms

CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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 FRAMING OF VIEWS

Vistas Created through fenestrations of the right scale opening into the lush greenery outside or a sudden burst into the adjacent space

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 WALL ART & LANDSCAPE SCULPTURES

CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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INFERENCE & CRITICAL APPRAISAL

An entire design of campus including further studios, a library, an exhibition area & facilities for printing & sculpture was conceived Simple structure of parallel brick walls, concrete beams & floors that is extendable & easy To maintain. An open place with hardly any doors. No feeling of restriction to the exchange of ideas &free scope of teaching & learning anywhere.

Elegant hierarchy: open---semi-open---close

individual---group---collective

More use of interaction & transition areas like corridors, galleries & courts & foyers throughout the campus. Activities tend to flow between classrooms, library, computer center & canteen. Night time Activity shifts to the hostel blocks & continues in studios throughout. Structural obstruction free ground makes the spaces multi-functional & active zone in campus.

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 Materials & landscape make the campus prominent. The pedestrian pathways & walkways in the campus are well shaded by trees. Building looking inward makes the environment livelier. Circulation is so easy to make all buildings easily accessible. The informal interaction spaces with trees & seating make the relaxing & calm. All studios are spacious & well lit. Combined studios at two levels effect the environment positively & negatively. Studios at the southern part of the building have the problem of glare because of sunlight. CEPT however lacks a proper way finding system for visitors. The main entry is criticized as not being a defined,unique path No ramp and not designed for the challenged.

CEPT Campus,Ahmedabad by B V Doshi

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