B V Doshi

Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi

Doshis architecture provides one of the most important models for modern Indian architecture.

FAMOUS WORKS
INSTITUTE OF INDOLOGY AHMEDABAD(1957-62)
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AHMEDABAD 1968
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT BANGALORE (1977-85)
MADHYA PRADESH ELECTRICITY BOARD JABALPUR (1979-89)
SANGATH AHMEDABAD (1979-89)
ARANYA LOW-COST HOUSING INDORE (1983-86)
HUSAIN-DOSHI GUFFA (1992-95)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY NEW DELHI (1997)
GANDHI LABOUR INSTITUTE
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Doshi's work has consistently revolved around:
The interrelationship of indoor and outdoor space
An appropriate and honest approach to materials,
Climatic response
Observance of hierarchy

Doshi belief in the Mythical Sense of space often evident in traditional architecture which is not simply confined to open or closed
areas. According to him space can be modified according to the desire of the perceiver and is never static.
According to him, Architecture of a building is conceived not as a container of specific activities but as a place to be inhabited, as a
place to facilitate the course of human environment
Doshi made an intensive and sustained study of traditional Indian philosophy and ancient architectural texts, while maintaining a deep
commitment to modernism.
The architectonic scale and massing, the clear sense of space and an attraction towards materials remain thematically strong
throughout his works.
The idea of flexibility leads him to a principle, of incorporating symbolism. He believes that it can only be accommodated by mixture
of structural systems. Symbolically charged space must be designed as receptacle for human activity.

IIM-B 1. Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore

The Indian Institute of Management with 54,000 square meters of built up area is located in south of Bangalore city.

All of Doshis concerns in

incorporating traditional Indian
Architecture have been
illustrated in this campus:
Multiple structural system
Mythical space
Dialogue between
architecture and people
Symbolism
Amorphous forms

IIM-B 1. Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore

The design of this academic complex has been steered

and governed by the climate and culture of Bangalore,
a garden city, the sloping topography of the site, the
concern that buildings should not swamp the landscape
The use of local materials.
The fountainhead of the inspiration for the open spaces is
derived from the courtyards of the Capital complex at
Fatehpur Sikri.
The principles of planning method, especially the use of
multiple structures, mythical space, dialogue between
architecture and people.

IIM-B

1. Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore

Organizational principles:

Interlocking courts
Pavilions
Terraced gardens
Connections

IIM-B
Planning:
The main grouping of the campus, which contains
administration offices, classrooms, laboratories and a
library is arranged as a datum in a ladder-like plan
along a longitudinal axis with student dormitories a
short distance away, organized in interlocking
squares at an angle to this axis.
To make important buildings like the lecture halls or
the library stand out in sharp relief, the architect
varied the scale of fenestration and sometimes used
symmetry to display a beauty that has strangeness in
proportion.
The interlocking courtyards are scaled to suit the
functions located around them.

IIM-B
Planning:
The administrative block is
placed on the north eastern
side.
The open office planning
in this block provides
flexibility for reorganization
of interior spaces.
Faculty offices with their
garden courts are located to
the north west and south
west.
Planned to accommodate 600
students, the dormitory
blocks are linked together
by walkways and
verandahs.
Each block has four wings of
residential rooms which are
arranged around a central
court, creating a community
feeling and a sense of
security.

IIM-B
Elements of design:
A system of major interior streets for movement has been adopted.
The teaching spaces, faculty and administrative offices are
dispersed along these circulation spines.
The streets often stand agape on one side or are topped by
skylights to admit the crystal clear stream of light.
The width of the streets has been modulated at places to
heighten the spatial experience and to promote interaction.
The design also included long and unusually high (three storied)
corridors with innumerable vistas.
These corridors are sometimes seemed open sometimes with
only pergolas and sometimes partly covered with skylight.
To further heighten the spatial experience, the width of the corridors
was modulated in many places to allow casual sitting, interaction
or moving forwards to once destination.
Access to classrooms and administrative offices was provided through
these links as well as to generate constant activity.
Owing to the varying rhythm of the solids and voids, i.e. wall and
opening, coupled with direct or indirect natural light, these links
change in character during the different times of the day as well
seasons and offer the students and the faculty, occasion to feel the
presence of nature even while they are inside.
By creating such an environment the activities pursued within the
building become enriched because they become one with the larger,
total world.

IIM-B
IIM-B employs more subtle lessons about materials and consistency of details
from Fatehpur Sikri.

IIM-B
Class Room
Block

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri

IIM-B Campus

IIM-B

Corridors provide innumerable vistas for focal points

Elements of design:
Covered streets
are the spine of
the campus

Varying direct and indirect sunlight was coupled with

solid void combination To further enrich the spatial
experience, the corridor width was altered in a lot of
places with sitting areas for casual interaction, while
moving from one destination to the other.

Open spaces seen in the campus

Views of the corridor

2. Institute of Indology , Ahmedabad

An inherent simplicity and

boldness prevails in the approach
towards architectural elements
and materials.

2. Institute of Indology , Ahmedabad

An inherent simplicity and boldness prevails in the approach towards

architectural elements and materials.

2. Institute of Indology , Ahmedabad

Concept development
The cross section of the building shows the dynamic form
evolving from climatic needs of the building. The bottom floor
cantilevers over the moats of either side of the building,
making it appear as if it is floating.

2. Institute of Indology , Ahmedabad

Planning

The entry of the building is

through a vast green lawn and
garden.
A bridge leads visitors above the
moat which surrounds the
building.
Moat allows the building to
utilize water as a cooling
mechanism as well as adding
humidity to lower portions of
building which hold the
precious manuscripts.
Through the building on the
other side is a large outdoor
patio which draws heat from the
sun.
Constant breeze on public
portions.

2. Institute of Indology , Ahmedabad

The expression of the form is

portrayed in the structural grid of the
building. All of the elements of the
faade fall into a three meter grid.
There are panels of glass on either
side of the column alternating with
four panels of concrete between the
glasses.
The hallways are pushed to the
exterior to maximise air
movement and shade.
Entering the building a half story
above ground allows the
basement storage areas to have
indirect light while benefiting from
the natural cooling of the earthsurrounded walls and pools
surrounding building.
These climatic benefits were
essential to the preservation of the
ancient manuscripts.

2. Institute of Indology , Ahmedabad

2. Institute of Indology , Ahmedabad

2. Institute of Indology , Ahmedabad

The Institute is the first example of

precast concrete members.

The Institute is built in Reinforced

Concrete which was a new technology
at that time, but marked the step
towards progress, technology and
modernity. Doshi used Concrete for both
the structure & cladding.

Doshi used Concrete for both the

structure & cladding. The Institute is the
first example of precast concrete
members thus minimizing the amount of
labor needed

2. Institute of Indology , Ahmedabad

The expression of the form is portrayed in the
structural grid of the building. All of the elements of
the faade fall into a three meter grid. There are
panels of glass on either side of the column
alternating with four panels of concrete between the
glasses.

Gufa 3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

Ahmedabad

An underground art
gallery in Ahmedabad as
a joint collaboration
between M. F. Hussain &
B.V. Doshi.

Gufa 3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

Ahmedabad

Concept:
The idea for an underground structure
something that had never been
tried before.
Create a unique space that Husain will
have to rise up and match the quality of
the space with his art.
Climatologically appropriate building
form for withstanding the scorching
heat of Ahmedabad
The reference for the gufa (cave) is
elemental and primeval; it emerged from
the Buddhist stupa and karli and Ajanta.

Gufa 3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

Ahmedabad

Planning:
Set adjacent to the CEPT University, the museum spaces are all underground with only the domed
roof shells protruding above the ground level.
The construction of the Gufa was finally dependent upon the knowledge & skill of builders who had
to translate highly sophisticated diagrams into reality.
Structure is in form of skeletal skin & wire mesh sandwiched on each side by layers of cement.

The concrete is then covered with a compacted layer of vermiculite followed by mosaic of pieces of
broken china, complete with a black serpentine imagery snaking across the surfaces.

White tiles reflect the sun rays helps to keep the interior cool.
One enters the space through a staircase which is partly hidden, through a circular door
The plan is evolved from the intersecting circles and ellipse
The spaces formed within are continuous and amorphous through inclined planes of domes,
curvilinear planes of vaults, undulating floors and non rectilinear leaning columns
Light comes in as shafts through a few circular openings in the dome, the diffused light adding to the
mystic ambience.

Spots of light on the floor, from the circular skylights, change location according to the time of the
day, adding to the mystery of the space.

Husain painted the walls, ceilings; decided to relate it with the primordial tortoise and the cobra.
The inclined columns in the interiors act as a perfect setting for various shaped metal sculptures.

Gufa 3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

Ahmedabad

Gufa 3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

Ahmedabad

Gufa

3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

Ahmedabad

Gufa 3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

The structure is in form of skeletal skin

& wire mesh sandwiched on each side
by layers of cement over which is
mosaic of pieces of broken china .
White tiles reflects the sun rays, helps
to keep the interior cool.
The structure is specifically oriented to
let in the maximum amount of heat &
light to give the interior a golden glow .
To enhance the cave like feeling of
gallery, the contours of the site were
retained, rather than being leveled.

Ahmedabad

Gufa 3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

The entrance is approached down a flight of steps in to

the cave like interior . Some shells consists appeared
snouts with apertures (hole), used to capture fresh air &
light.
The central hall is supported by 2 rows of columns
which divide the interior in to a wider centre aisle & 2
side aisle . The columns have octagonal shafts wider at
base & tapered at capital.

Ahmedabad

Gufa

3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi

Ahmedabad

Gufa

3. Hussain-Doshi Gufa,

Ahmedabad