ABSTRACT

Designing an Indian Institute of Technology at Palakkad,

with an aim to create an Iconic Building to cater to the
needs of the selected students and provide them with the
best in class educational ambience

Mahant Harsh
X- Semester Thesis Synopsis – Draft 1
Designing an Indian Institute of
Technology at Palakkad
With a keen interest to design an iconic building and a learning space as well. Designing a learning space is challenging as it
comprises of designing various spaces in a particular campus with respect to the purpose of the institution and the classes
to be served.
Designing something Iconic does not only mean, Bold or Masculine, but it can also be an Impact maker, on the minds and
behavior of people. The term iconic depicts the idea of making something that leaves a mark or an imprint on a person’s
mind, or an experience that he/she will remember even after he or she has finished something.
The main aim to study or to create or design iconic buildings is to create architecture that changes the way, people have
been perceiving and will continue to perceive a particular place or an object or a particular building.
“Frank Gehry’s words speak to many architects’ desire to conceive truly iconic buildings, the kind that will remain as a legacy to
their ingenuity long after their authors have gone. But what makes a building timeless or iconic? For some, the answer lies in
innovation: A+Awards juror Patrik Schumacher asserted that great architecture must involve the “compelling application of new
ideas,” and buildings that are considered iconic often possess a groundbreaking aspect, something that had not been seen before.
For Gehry’s Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, it was the application of parametric design on a huge scale. For the Burj Khalifa, it
was unparalleled height. For the Eiffel Tower, it was the grand use of steel in a city defined by stone.”
In architectural terms there are several characteristics which can be taken up for designing an Iconic Building, these include:
1. A Unique Silhouette
A Unique silhouette helps identify any building from a distance through the help of its form or its profile. This plays an
important role in creating an Iconic building, for example: The Sydney Opera House, The Pyramids of Egypt, The Taj
Mahal.
2. Simplicity
Simplicity is a common trait found in many of the most famous architectural landmarks around the world. By simplicity
one does not mean, simple rectangular forms, but even organic or parametric forms can depict simplicity with the use
of minimal materials and eye soothing techniques.
3. Perfect Symmetry
Symmetry is always pleasing to the eye, and also helps in creating an Iconic Structure, however, it may not always be
the solution, going out of the way and breaking the rule of symmetry, to design something iconic can also be an option.
4. Use of Materials
Materials also play an important role in creating the identity of a particular building. Le Corbusier harnessed the raw
solidity of concrete in Chandigarh, Louis Kahn used brick to dramatic effect in Dhaka and Ahmedabad and Mies van der
Rohe let steel beams speak for themselves in landmarks like the Farnsworth House.
5. Amazing Engineering
Not only architectural design or concepts, but the actual feasibility of a particular project also matters a lot and plays
an important role in making a building iconic. For example: Hyder Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid Architects, The
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao by Frank Gehry etc.
6. A Brilliant Back-story
Many iconic buildings take on added significance when their reason for being is revealed. Take the Taj Mahal. An
English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold best describes it as “not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud
passion of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.”
Above information is in relevance with the source: https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/industry/your-magnum-opus/
With a keen interest in the above-mentioned points, I take this opportunity to design a proposed permanent campus for
the Indian Institute of Technology at Palakkad, Kerala.
These institutions are of National demand and have much importance. IITs are a growing demand and also one of the highly
respected institutions in the nation, built by the central government.
The aim of designing this campus is to explore with the vernacular architecture of Kerala by incorporating the contemporary
means of architecture and also striving towards achieving a sustainable campus through the maximized use of the passive
heating / cooling techniques for the purpose of Ventilation.
The proposed site for the permanent campus of Indian Institute of Technology, Palakkad is a UNESCO World Heritage
site, located near the Palakkad railway station and about 60 kilometers from the Coimbatore International Airport.
Designing a campus of high value which would cater the few of the best students excelling in various fields of engineering
like civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer and science technology. Along with this
various others courses like masters and doctoral programs would also be catered. With an approximate number of 1500
students plus teaching and non-teaching staff. The campus shall comprise of the academic block, the administration block
and the residential spaces for the students and the staff members.
With an idea to explore with the architectural realms of vernacular as well as contemporary means of architecture, leading
towards a greener and sustainable building.

LITERATURE STUDY
About IIT

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru pioneered establishing of the Indian Institutes of Technology to provide trained technical personnel
of international class to the nation who would act as leaders in technology for the newly born independent India. The
institutions were to be designed with the necessary dynamism, flexibility of organization and capacity to adapt in the light
of expanding knowledge and changes in the socio-economic requirements of modern society.
In May 1950, the first in the series was established in Kharagpur at the site of the Hijli Detention Camp, where the British
had incarcerated political prisoners, the institution was named the 'Indian Institute of Technology' before its formal
inauguration on August 18, 1951. Within a decade of the launch of the first IIT, four more were set up: IIT Bombay (1958),
IIT Madras (1959), IIT Kanpur (1959), and IIT Delhi (1961). Decades later, the sixth IIT was established in Guwahati (1994).
India's first technical institute, set up in 1847 and known as the Thomson College of Engineering and subsequently the
University of Roorkee, was ordained as the seventh IIT in September 2001. In the year 2008, six new IITs were started: IIT
Bhubaneswar, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Patna, IIT Rajasthan, and IIT Ropar. This was followed by two more IITs
in 2009: IIT Indore and IIT Mandi. In 2012, Institute of Technology, BHU was designated the sixteenth IIT. During the early
years, the IITs benefited in varying degrees from material assistance and academic cooperation from developed countries -
-- IIT Bombay from the Soviet Union, IIT Madras from Germany, IIT Kanpur from the United States, and IIT Delhi from the
United Kingdom. Over the years IITs have created world class educational platforms dynamically sustained through
internationally recognized research based on excellent infrastructural facilities. The faculty and alumni of IITs have made
huge impact in all sectors of society, both in India and abroad. The institutes are globally recognized as centres of academic
excellence, and are reputed for the outstanding caliber of the students graduating from them.

Above information is in relevance with the source: https://www.iitsystem.ac.in/?q=aboutiit/view

A survey report of the social impact assessment of the proposed land acquisition had been carried out by the Don Bosco
school of Arts & Science. The SIA was carried out with the objective to identify the potential socio-economic positive and
negative impacts of land acquisition and to develop attainable mitigation measures to enhance positive impacts and reduce
or avoid negative impact and thereby ensure a participative, informed and transparent process of land acquisition for the
establishment of IIT at Palakkad.
http://www.donbosco.ac.in/public_downloads/course-plan/uploads_original/2017-11-29/iit_palakkad_sia_draft_report_by_don_bosco.pdf

RELEVANT CASE STUDIES

1. IIT KANPUR

Image source: Indian Institute of Technology: Kanpur

IIT-Kanpur is located on the Grand Trunk Road, 15 km west of Kanpur City and measures close to 420hectares. This land
was gifted by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 1960 and by March 1963 the Institute had moved to its current location.

Kanpur is a large city in the state of Uttar

Pradesh, India. The city is famous for
its leather and textile industries. It is the 11th most
populous urban agglomeration in India and largest
urban agglomeration in Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur was
an important British garrison town until 1947 when
India gained independence.

Located on the west bank of the Ganges River, it is

a principal trade and commercial centre in North
India. The city is widely regarded as "The Leather
City of the World" and is also nicknamed as
"Manchester of India".

Image source: Google Map showing location of IIT Kanpur

Image source: Map showing various places in IIT Kanpur campus

Image source: skyline of IIT Kanpur

• The IITK campus occupies a 1055-acre area.

• The Academic Complex is located centrally at the site and free from traffic noise.
• Academic buildings: 13 departments, PK Kelkar Library, Computer Centres faculty offices, laboratories and
administrative buildings
• Around 7000 students, 390 faculty, and 1000 staff members (and their families) reside on campus
• No. of buildings: 108
• 10 boys’ hostel and 2 girls’ hostel
• With Sports complex, Housing for faculty
• The site is flat with the canal on one side and transportation route on the other side.
• Pedestrian and vehicular traffic are completely segregated.
 Concept and Ideology:

• The residential campus is planned and landscaped with a hope for environmental freedom.
• Halls of residence, faculty and staff houses and community buildings surround the central academic area to provide
flexibility in movement and communication.
• Core Pedestrian island which consist of lecture halls surrounded by landscaping and water body forming the main
focus of the campus.
• The academic area is well connected by a long corridor which links all the major buildings
• The academic area is set up in vicinity of Hostels to provide quick accessibility to students
• Conventional type of buildings was designed as isolated islands of departments
• Activities which students and faculties share are designed to encourage meeting and interaction

Institute's Academic Area comprises academic buildings and

facilities including the PK Kelkar Library, Computer Centre,
National Wind Tunnel Facility and SIDBI Innovation and
Incubation Centre. It also houses faculty offices, laboratories and
administrative buildings. The academic area is connected by a
long corridor which links all the major buildings.
Image source: Academic Area, IIT Kanpur

Established in 1960 as Central Library. Established in 1960 as Central

Library. Renamed as P.K. Kelkar Library in 2001. Renamed as P.K. Kelkar
Library in 2001.

Four-storied building (covered area: 5730 sq. m.) Basement - 700 sq. m

Ground floor - 700 sq m First floor -1630 sq m Second floor - 2700 sq.
m Staff strength – 40 Exposed brickwork: reduces maintenance costs
and enhances aesthetic appeal

Image source: P.K. Kelkar Library, IIT Kanpur

The residential campus is planned and

landscaped with a hope for
environmental freedom.

Halls of residence, faculty and staff houses

and community buildings surround the
central academic area to provide
flexibility in movement and
communication.
Image source: Residential Unit, IIT Kanpur
In Kanpur, the local availability of high-quality brick and the prevalent labour and construction practices made Kanvinde go
for reinforced concrete for structural frames and brick as infill’s.

reinforced-concrete post-and-slab construction, with a series of flat slab-floors and a flat roof-slab carried on concrete
columns or posts

Inferences

2. IIT BOMBAY

Image source: Indian Institute of Technology: Bombay

Image source: Google Map showing location of IIT Bombay

REVIEW OF SIMILAR THESIS

1. Campus Proposal for IIT Indore

https://issuu.com/rkeytek02/docs/iit_indore_presentation
The Design proposal explains about the design process and the related aspects to be considered for the designing
of a campus. Environmental aspects and
2. Campus proposal for IIM Bodhgaya
3. Campus proposal for IIT Palakkad
https://issuu.com/ashfaqfazil/docs/report.compressed
Broadly clarifies the idea of the site and the land use system. This proposal had incorporated the sustainable
aspects of architecture. Would be helpful in learning the site topography, climate, etc.