Balkrishna V Doshi

Submitted by:
Meghna Lalita Mandeep

LIFE HISTORY
B.V Doshi was born in Pune on 26 August, 1927. He belongs to that generation which came of age just after Independence, and which was confronted with the massive tasks of constructing a new nation. Doshis family had been in the furniture business for two generations. He studied at the J.J School of Architecture, Mumbai. After initial study in Bombay, he worked with Le Corbusier in Paris (1951-1954) as senior designer. In 1955 he returned to India to supervise Le Corbusiers projects in Ahmedabad and Chandigarh.

 Most of B.V.Doshis projects/buildings are influenced by Le-Corbusier. He worked closely wid Louis Isador Kahn and Anant Raje. Doshi established the Vastu-Shilpa Foundation for Studies and Research in Environmental Design in 1955, known for pioneering work in low-cost housing and city planning. Apart from his international fame as an architect, Dr. Doshi is equally known as educator and institution builder.

AWARDS
In recognition of his distinguished contribution as a professional and as an academician, Dr.Doshi has received several International and National and honors including the Padma Shree. Aga Khan award in 1994 for designing Vastu Shilpa Foundation. He was the founder dean of Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad.

PHILOSOPHY
Over the years Doshi has created architecture that relies on adoption of modern architecture within the indian continent. Doshi made an intensive and sustained study of traditional indian philosophy while maintaining a deep commitment to modernism. His environment and urban concerns made him unique both as a thinker and teacher. He had a flexible rather than a rigid approach towards his design. He had timelessness in his architecture. He had interest in indian history, urbanism, arts and crafts and believed in broad based research rather than a narrow focus on design only. there was architectural scale and massing as well as clear sense of space in his designs.

HUSSAIN-DOSHI GUFA
AHMEDABAD, GUJRAT

CLIENT: M.F HUSSAIN SITE AREA: 1000 sq. metre BUILT-UP AREA: 280 sq. metre PROJECT COST: Rs 1.8 million It is an art gallery exhibiting paintings and sculptures of noted artist M.F.Hussain and is located on a campus of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology. Buddhist caves from Ajanta and Ellora influenced the form imagery of this cave. The domes conceal an underground network of caves saving them from the scortching heat.

 The contours of the site were retained rather than being levelled. The dome shells which were made of no reinforcements are 25mm thick and made up of concrete covered with china mosaic which reflects glare and heat. A simple wire mesh and mortar lined floor eliminates the need of any kind of foundation, as the basic form is continuous and efficient in optimizing the stresses and its distribution. The construction is carried out with simple hand tools and by semi and unskilled workers on site.

The entry faade is carved and a large horseshoe-shaped doorway.

Entrance to the caves

 Light comes in as shafts through a few circular openings in the dome, the diffused light adding to the mystic ambience.

SHAFT

The cave like walls are supported by inclined irregular shaped columns. Ferrocement was used to create undulating walls and domes which Also helped in reducing the total load of the structure.

The basic organization evolves out of the familiar module of an intersecting circles and ellipse.

PLAN

SECTION

VIEW OF THE INTERIOR

SANGATH, AHMEDABAD

 CLIENT: B.V DOSHI SITE AREA: 2346 SQ.METRE BUILT-UP AREA: 585 SQ.METRE

Sangath, the name given to the complex, means moving together through participation . This complex was intended to encourage activities in the areas of fine and technological arts related to architecture, planning and art. Spaces were needed for long and short term seminars, workshops and to accommodate a professional architectural firm and office for VASTU-SHILPA FOUNDATION. The structural system is post and beam with reinforced concrete slab.

 The architecturally dominating shapes of sangath are vaulted forms which are linked both internally and externally by gentle changes in level.

 The vaults were constructed with ferro concrete and were hollow and the outer skin is glazed with broken glazed tile pieces which reduces the heat inside the building.

The building is sunk to make vaults more prominent and to create Stepped outdoor space for lectures and discussions.

By articulating the plinth in several ways i.e sinking certain areas and elevating others, the structure looks pleasing to the eye. The studios are surmounted by two vaults and in b/w them lies a flat roofed area that permits light to enter the end walls of both vau

Design studios with smooth floors and rough textured ceiling.

Rain water collected from vaults cascades into pools and channels.

Interior view of design studio

Reception area

The interiors were well furnished and well lit.

Conference area Printing area

Design studio

Entrance court

Doshis room

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

NIFT, NEW DELHI

 CLIENT: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION AND TECHNOLOGY SITE AREA: 11,650 SQ.METRE BUILT-UP AREA: 13,570 SQ.METRE TOTAL COST: 8.5 MILLION (1994) NIFT, recreates an inwardly bazar, livened up by designed displays and movements of students as well as visitors through the entire space. The campus is desgned with introvert planning consisting of academic, administrative and residential activities i.e with a court in the centre animated with a series of high and low platforms.

 The front court is surrounded by terraced academic block and glazed administrative block.

ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK

 Open as well as glass screened bridges separating kund like court from amphitheatre court , not only act as movement path, but also double up as the cat walk for the fashion shows which can be viewed from library, classrooms, corridors as well as administrative block.