LOUIS I KAHN

LOUIS I. KAHN

Influence of classicism (balance and completeness; Formal and restrained)

Incorporated lessons from Mughal and historical architecture
Local building skills and materials
Simplistic elegance
Lesser initial on your face impact (Bold designs done with subtle
materials)
Reality and tradition merged
Urbanistic grouping of blocks (Connectivity and Planning)
Austere geometry
Stoic monumentality massive yet subtle
Articulation of spaces, courts and corridors
Sequential progression of spaces, surprises, variety
Texture, color and effect of exposed brickwork
Elements like arches and geometric cutouts, false walls
Play of light and dark
Minimalist design
Exploratory experience

LOUIS I. KAHN

The IIM is spread over 67 acres of lush greenery in Vastrapur.

He conceived the design as a blend of AUSTERITY AND MAJESTY.

He included SPACES FOR CASUAL INTERACTION while achieving a

BALANCE BETWEEN MODERNITY AND TRADITION that captured the
spirit of timeless India.
The broad airy corridors, the amphitheatre like classrooms and transition spaces
in the complex ENHANCE INTERACTION among the faculty, students and
visitors.
His design was given shape by a team of architects from the National Institute of
Design.
This modern residential institute is built entirely in traditional brick construction.
Its contemporary design is responsive to local climate and is now a much
admired campus.

The highlight of the campus is the LOUIS KAHN PLAZA, the sheer
magnificence of which has played host to major interactions and celebrations.
It is surrounded by the FACULTY WING, LIBRARY AND CLASSROOMS from three
sides.
This close knit feeling supports each individual's personal and professional
growth, fosters a sense of community within the school and encourages them to
form close working relationships with professors and other students.
The result is a highly personalised environment that drives students not
just to learn, but to think.

COMPONENTS OF CAMPUS:

Main Academic Complex

Administration Block, Classroom and Faculty room around central
pizza, which also has main entrance
Kitchen and dining
Faculty and staff housing
Management Development Centre
Students dormitories for PGP

CAMPUS LAYOUT:

Separate entries for institutional and residential complex.

Separate service entry.
Academics and social activities have been integrated with students and
staff living.
Institutional Complex is taken as Focal Building.
Auditorium is located near main entrance for easy access for visitors.
Residential areas have been planned in Hierarchical pattern.
School building is planned around a court.
School building and students dorm have been placed diagonally to take

ACADEMIC COMPLEX

The academic block comprises of the following:

Library
School building
Faculty blocks
Dormitories
Louis Kahn Plaza

LIBRARY BLOCK

The library building is a five storied

structure with rectangular plan.
It is approached by a broad, imposing
flight of steps from the parking lot.
The design has been conceived to
entail movement from the active
spaces to most private and quite
carrels at the farthest reaches.

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The second floor accommodates triple height reading hall and

conference hall.
Third floor accommodates bound volumes of journals.

READING HALL IN THE FIRST FLOOR

SCHOOL BUILDING BLOCK AND VIEW

OFFICES IN THE GROUND FLOOR AND THE RAMPS

LEADING TO THE DORMS AND CLASS ROOMS

CLASSROOMS

The shape of the class room is hexagonal.

The design of the classroom is based on the seminar type interaction
between the students and the faculty.
Windows are high to get glare free light

FACULTY BLOCKS

Faculty block is on the right side of the main entrance.

It is a four storied building with four blocks.
All the openings are designed to overlook the adjacent landscape garden
and Louis Kahn Plaza

DORMITORIES

The shape of each dormitory block is square with two residential wings,
triangular lounge and a service area.
The position of the staircase and washroom are meant to protect the lobby
from sun and the glare without obstructing the breeze and ventilation.

LOUIS KAHN PLAZA

Instead of a small courtyard, one large court has been planned in the centre
to relate the movement around.

AUDITORIUM

The auditorium had an entrance lobby, a foyer, an auditorium hall, a

conference room and a seminar room

DINING BLOCK

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Management development centre is located towards eastern edge of the

campus. It has been planned as a self contained unit with academic area,
offices, executive hostels and dining facilities.
It is a double storied building with a basement and has a u shaped plan
enclosing a court in between.
There are two lecture halls, two conference rooms and eight syndicate rooms
in the MDC Building

BUILDING MATERIALS

Brick has been used as primary building material for the entire
complex walls, columns.
Brick arches have been used for wide spans.
Use of concrete has been restricted to foundations, floor slabs, and
ties for arched openings.

LIGHT AND SHADOW BY THE WALLS CREATES A SENSE OF EXCITEMENT

AND AVOIDS THE MONOTONY OF A LONG PASSAGE

PATTERNS CREATED WITH THE SHADES AND TONES OF LIGHT BY THE

USE OF VARIED GEOMETRIC PATTERNS

ALL THE PASSAGES PRESENT CREATES A SENSE OF DEPTH BY THE

CONCENTRIC LIGHT AND DARK AREAS

THE PATTERNS CREATED IN THE PASSAGE WITH LIGHT AT DIFFERENT

TIMES OF A DAY

LANDSCAPING FEATURES MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE BLOCKS

THE ARCHITECT HAS BEEN VERY TRUE TO THE MATERIALS THAT HE HAD
USED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION

EXPOSED BEAMS AND SLAB DETAILS

STAFF QUARTERS

STAFF QUARTERS

STAFF QUARTERS

PUMP ROOM