AFTER KAHN AT IIM અમદાવાદ Architecture Thesis Rishma Bhatt 2 AFTER KAHN AT IIM અમદાવાદ Architecture Thesis Rishma Bhatt
3 4 5 6 AFTER KAHN AT IIM
______Rishma Bhatt
APPROVED:
______William Truit Commitee Chair
______Meredith Chavez Second Reader
______Tamler Sommers Honors Reader
______Patricia Belton Oliver, FAIA Dean, College of Architecture and Design
7 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I could not thank my committee members enough for their tireless effort towards my thesis project. William Truitt, Meredith Chavez, and Dr. Tamler Sommers, I could have not done this without your constant help, assistance, and guidance.
To my parents, thank you for doing everything you could and more. Thank you for never giving up on me and helping me gain a deeper and more profound understanding of my heritage. I owe it all to you.
I would also like to thank my friends, family, and classmates for being there during the entire journey and consistently motivating me to always dream bigger.
9 10 ABSTRACT
The whole complicated design with its brick paved walkway and irregular cut thoughts and medium height brick buildings makes reference not to Ahmedabad, but to another city entirely. ( 303-304, Lesser).
11 12 ABSTRACT
Alexandra Tyng describes her father’s design approach at the Indian Institute of Management as
a combination of building typology and program. Library, classrooms, dormitories and teacher’s
residences are designed as separate objects but are organized ‘around the idea of meeting’ in
Tyng’s words.(Tyng,141) She writes that Kahn is also interested in the ‘pols’ of Ahmedabad, the
semi-public alley cluster of homes for a larger family unit, and sought to bring some of the formal
qualities into the organization of the program elements. The formal geometry of forms and voids
make the reading of the informal pol network difficult to read in the final design, however.
This thesis reintroduces the pol network into the geometric campus in order to project
an urban, hybrid habitation of the isolated university, and investigates the problem of
European design sensibilities grafted onto Gujarati space.
13 14 CONTENTS
17 Prospectus
18 Analyis IIM 30 POL 36 PUBLIC SPACE & USE MANEK CHOWK
40 Precedents ADALAJ VAV 44 SABARMATI ASHRAM 48 CEPT UNIVERSITY
54 Design Concept, Strategy
60 Drawings and Models
74 Bibliography
15 16 PROSPECTUS
This thesis reintroduces the pol network into the geometric campus in order to project
an urban, hybrid habitation of the isolated university, and investigates the problem of
European design sensibilities grafted onto Gujarati space.
17 SITE ANALYSIS IIM HISTORY
18 AHMEDABAD
19 IIM HISTORY Formal Connectivity
TO CAMPUS ADDITION
LIBRARY
CRICKET
ADMIN
DORMS
CLASSROOMS
LECTURE HALL
PLANNED COURTYARDS
PROGRAM CONNECTIVITY
B.V. Doshi initially had been appointed to work on the The Vikram Sarabhai Library is the prominent on Ahmedabad campus of the Indian Institute of Management the campus because of the monumentality. The large (IIM) in 1961, one of the most select business schools geometrical voids are used to filter natural light into the in the country.Since international institutions heavily reading rooms. influence IIM Doshi believed he should also hire an international architect. Doshi was instrumental in the The entry into the campus is also through a large hiring of the American architect Louis Kahn as the lead geometrical void that is cut through the library. The designer of the business school. entrance faces the monumental Louis Kahn plaza. The area between the library, classroom buildings, and Kahn’s designs are known for their monumentality. lecture hall creates the Kahn plaza. The campus organizes itself ‘around the idea of meeting’(Tyng, 135). Kahn’s designs are generally known The classrooms are organized in a longitudinal building for their monumentality, and the aspirations of the school located on the southwest side of the library. Kahn’s idea and the design sensibilties of the architect are a natural of designing around the idea of meeting reveals itself in fit. Therefore, many public spaces appear throughout the voids that he creates between each classroom. The voids design. The negative space that the large buildings create intentionally create space in which students engage with become the public spaces. The buildings that compose the one another as well as professors. The intent to create a main plaza are the Sarabhai Library, the classroom halls, campus around the idea of meeting embodies itself in and the lecture halls. different scales throughout the project.
20
21 IIM HISTORY
Entry Sequence
DORMS
LECTURE HALL LECTURE CLASSROOMS
LOUIS KAHN PLAZA
22 IIM HISTORY Quads vs. Pols
Kahn incorporates elements of the Gujarati pol neighborhood network within the IIM campus. One can see this juxtaposition of program elements within the tight alley space behind the more iconic or monumental spaces of the university.
Louis Kahn plaza is a planned space, designed to read as a pol and informal meeting space amongst the students. The monumentality of the space makes it read as a formal space. The plaza is opposite of the library, main lecture, and classroom buildings making it read as a university quad. These types of formal plazas are typically not found in other Indian educational spaces. Whereas, the space created on the other side of the classroom building is far less organized giving it a more pol characterstics. 23 POL 2
CLASSROOMS
POL 1
KAHN PLAZA BOOKS
LECTURE
There are two different areas in this campus that I indentify as a pol. Both of these areas share the lack of monumentality found in the Kahn Plaza. These pols are are located on the rear of important buildings such as the main library and dorms.
24 25 IIM HISTORY Pol #1
LEARNING READING LEARNING
LIVING
READING
LIVING LEARNING
26 IIM HISTORY Pol #1
Pol 1 is located near the entrance of the campus. It located between the back of the library and the rear side of some dorm buildings. This pol is different because it has a ramp that leads up to a platform that becomes a bridge that connects the platform with the back of other dorms as well as a network that overlooks Pol 2.
This particular location serves as a pol because there is no monumentality or formal program that occurs in this area. This negative space is defined by the existing formal program that occurs on the boundries of this pol. Currently, the space ramp and platform don’t serve as any programmatic elements that enhance the campus.
27 IIM HISTORY Pol #2
LEARNING
LIVING
LEARNING LIVING
28 IIM HISTORY Pol #2
Pol 2 is located on the rear of the classroom space and the rear of dorm spaces as well. Pol 1 connects to Pol 2 as well. The space itself begins as a narrow 13’ alley and slowly expands. This area directly connects to the campus extension allowing it to have a heavy pedestrian traffic.
This area is currently has some informal program such as a cafe space and some seating happening. Since there are some social gatherings occuring in the negative space, it allows the area to read as a pol.
29 SITE ANALYSIS Ahmedabad + Pols
30 AHMEDABAD + POLS Old city Ahmedabad
MAJOR CONNECTIVITY WITHIN OLD CITY AHMEDABAD KHADVA POL DIAGRAM POLS WITHIN CEPT UNIVERSITY
31 POLS What is a pol?
A Pol is an urban group of single family residential units and small streets, shrines and open community spaces (otlas) (Architecure in Development). In the past, pols were specific
to eitherBASIC AHMEDABAD caste or occupational groups and family, reinforcing a COMMERCIAL AREA SECTION close communitySHOP within the space, rather than forming a structure INFORMAL INFORMAL GATHERING COMMERCIAL based on economic statusSPACE and individuality.ThereSTAND are roughly 50- 60 family units in a pol.
Socially, pols create a strong network amongst the residents within the gates. Otlas (open community spaces within the pol) become spaces where informal socializing take place. Since pols are made of narrow streets, the otlas automatically become comfortable shaded spots. These informal meeting spots quickly become occupied by children to and women throughout the day.
Although most of the pols are made up of housing, there are important family owned commercial spaces nearby as well. SANSKAR KENDRA The business aspect of the pol is also crucial in sustaining the relationships within the pol, ensuring that all the needs of the Pol Network residents are met within the gates. (AID, 2014)
32 Single Pol Network
33 Wind Direction
Birdhouses
Living
Living
Gathering Space
Businesses
Courtyards
Layers of a Pol
34 SHOP INFORMAL INFORMAL GATHERING SPACE COMMERCIAL SPACE
Pol’s essentially have different programmatic elements that occur on each level. The ground floor usually becomes courtyard or business areas for the occupants. The ground level also usually has gates that are the main and only access points into these pols. The higher levels hold homes and more private gathering spaces.These programmatic elements can be noted on the image on the left.
The houses within the pol are organized along a narrow street. Side walls of the house tend to be shared with neighbors. Most pol housing consists of wooden structure with certain exposed brick work. The exterior facade of these houses are heavily carved wooden elements. The otla’s also serve as the entry platform into the homes. In many Hindu households otlas also become religious spaces as well as social spaces.
The interior rooms also tend to be flexible. They aren’t designed to be fixed programmatic spaces. Interior spaces are meant to be easily moveable to accommodate for changing family compositions and or for seasonal changes. Flexible spaces are key to any and all spaces in Ahmedabad’s urban typology.
35 PUBLIC SPACE & USE Manek Chowk
36 MANEK CHOWK
37 PUBLIC SPACE & USE Manek Chowk Through Time
Manek Chowk, a primary city square within the Old City, is predominantly known for its ability to change uses throughout the day and week. During the early morning phase it is a vegetable market, during the afternoon it becomes a jewerly market, and during the night the space changes into one of the largest food markets in the city. Manek Chowk highlights the informality of public spaces within India, supporting hybrid uses rather than single occupancy. The unplanned open space and inherent flexibility is necessary for daily occupation by Hindu, Muslim, and Jain populations, all of whom live nearby.
Established in the 1400’s, Manek Chowk survives and is used today as it was originally as a market. The ability for Manek to change market type throughout the day satisfies the needs of multiple demographics of the city. The transformative nature is key to continual use in the hyper dense Old City.
On the left, the diagrams portray the different types of commercial uses there are during the day. It shows the impermanence of the program on the site.
38 PUBLIC SPACE & USE Manek Chowk Pictures
https://www.expedia.co.in/Manek-Chowk-Ahmedabad-City-Centre.d6106758.Attraction
https://www.expedia.co.in/Manek-Chowk-Ahmedabad-City-Centre.d6106758.Attraction
https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g297608-d4354656-i238639348 -Mankechowk_Night_Eatery-Ahmedabad_Ahmedabad_District_Gujarat.html 39 PRECEDENTS Adalaj Vav
40 41 Adalaj Vav, the largest and most well known step Phenomenally, Adalaj Vav is known for the intricacies well in Gujarat, was built in 1499 by Queen Rudabai. of light entering the depth of space. A series of beams The underground well serves many purposes. Built frame an open roof filtering light, although direct underground to reach the water table, the steps serve sunlight only reaches the lower levels during some as a public meeting ground, shaded and cooled away moments in the afternoon. Tyng infers in her book that from the semi arid desert heat above. Adalaj Vav serves Kahn’s design is influenced by “suggesting the ways in multiple different demographics as well as programs. which rays of filtered light enter some of the space on A water well for centuries, the structure is secular, a the campus (Tyng, 147). Adalaj Vav is a precedent that unique attribute for infrastructure in Ahmedabad, and describes Kahn’s use of geometry in the means of light a location that women from the neighborhood gather infiltration. to socialize. Over time, the monumental underground architecture becomes a sacred space for multiple religions. Today, the Vav is a heavily visited tourist location. (Bhavan, 2019)
42 PRECEDENT Adalaj Vav
Adalaj Vav Plan
Adalaj Vav Section
43 PRECEDENTS Sabarmati Ashram
44 45 BASIC AHMEDABAD COMMERCIAL AREA SECTION SHOP INFORMAL INFORMAL GATHERING COMMERCIAL SPACE STAND
PRECEDENT Sabarmati Ashram Drawings
SANSKAR KENDRA
46 PRECEDENT Sabarmati Ashram & Modules
Sabarmati Ashram Museum, is a memorial musuem dedicated to Mahatama Gandhi. The ashram was built shortly before Kahn began his own project in the region. Similarities can be seen in both the monumentality of the projects as well as the heavy brick facade on both projects.
Correa amplifies the simplicity of Gandhi’s lifestyle by keeping a very simple modular system of 6 x 6 meter spaces that vary between covered and uncovered. These spaces create an area for pause as well as informal negative spaces. Even with the very rigid module, there are places of relief within the design. Unplanned informal spaces still appear time to time to break the 6x6 module. These voids become an opportunity for visitors to take a pause and take in the architectural experience.(Arch Eyes, 2016)
47 PRECEDENTS Cept University
48 49 PRECEDENT Cept University & Doshi
CEPT (The Centre for Environmental Planning Multiple spaces in the campus are designed to resemble & Technology) University is located close IIM a pol. Doshi incorporates the elements of pol typology Ahmedabad and is designed by Balkrishna Doshi. by creating tight spaces between buildings that are CEPT serves as an important precedent because easily occupiable. There are also many informal Doshi is heavily influenced by Corbusier and Kahn activities that take place within the campus. Compared interprets their design with a strong linkage back to to IIM, CEPT is much more informal campus, giving Ahmedabad’s unique typology. Kahn’s influence can students the ability to use outside partially designed be seen in CEPT’s monumentally in certain areas like spaces integral to formally planned interior classroom library. Corbusier’s influence is see in how some of the space. Multiple paved and unpaved courtyards allow spaces and buildings are lifted off the ground allowing for students to socialize in an intimate manner. for there to be a covered outdoor space on the ground floor that allows for free movement amongst students. ( AD Staff, 2017)
50 PRECEDENT Cept University/Informal Meeting
51 PRECEDENT Cept University & Pols
There are certain areas in this campus that read When visiting these areas, they were often filled like as a pol. These areas are narrow spaces created with students. Areas with characteristics tend by the edges of formal classroom buildings. to encourage social gatherings and elevate the The campus utilitzes these spaces are informal campus experience as well. gathering spaces by filling them with temporary art exhbitions and cafe spaces. The ‘pol’ like areas also have seating which promotes the usage of these areas.
52 PRECEDENT Cept University & Pols
53 PROGRAM
54 PROGRAM Proposed Thesis Program The program proposes to incorporate dorms, classrooms spaces and a flexible marketplace. To accommodate the needs of a growing student body, IIM’s campus expanded in various directions around the original. Dorms and classroom spaces are the first programs that were added in the expansion. Enough void space exists in the original campus for there to extra dorms and classroom spaces to be added. This program proposes to build the dorms, classrooms, and 4 Classrooms 1 @ 1,000 sq ft. flexible marketplace within the original campus in the voids that Kahn’s geometrical design creates. 3 Offices 1 @ 1,800 sq ft.
By adding the dorm and marketplace programs, it 12 Dorms 1 @ 130 sq ft. brings pol like characteristics into the university Flexiable Marketplace 9,000 sq ft. because it mimics the residential and commericial relationship that is seen in the Old City. After studying
Manek Chowk and the characteristics of pol housing, having a flexible and multifaceted space is crucial. The residential spaces in the pol do not have set programs for each specific room, they change according to the needs of the residence. The ability to be transitional is an important characteristic to bring into the design of the dorms. The same applies to the market space as well. Manek chowk operates throughout the entire day, changing the program according to what is at need. This marketplace should accommodate the needs of the students throughout the day, changing and manifesting into whatever is of need.
This program proposes also to bring classroom spaces into the the mixed use. As the university expands the need of more classroom spaces also increase. In a pol, the main idea is for all the residents to have everything they need within the gates of the community, therefore it also makes sense to add all the program the students need within the same vicinity.
55 DESIGN CONCEPT
56 DESIGN CONCEPT Site Constraints
The site is constrained on both sides by existing buildings. The area that is left in the middle is what I consider as the pol # 2. This site is constricted by different architectural elements( such as the circular ramp above) that extends out onto the site. These elements as well as some of the informal activities occuring in the site make it a dense area. These constraints are the main reasons as to why the modules are elevated, It allows for the area underneath to be free and not cramped.
The site is essentially a long narrow alley that has formal programs happening on the edges and informal program existing within. This area of the campus is prodominantly where the most of the social interacion occurs currently.
57 DESIGN CONCEPT Organizational Strategy
3
1 2 4
The main organization of this site is meant to follow that one of a pol. The ground level will serve as public area. As the design moves vertically, it becomes more private. The ground area serves as a market space. The site currently engages both the entry to the orginal campus and also serves as a connection to the campus extension. It is organized in a very linear manner.
The modules that I impliment all connect to existing living or learning buidlings. Module 1 contains only dorm rooms that connect to the existing services. Module 2 and 3 contain both dorms and classroom spaces. The classrooms connect directly with the existing classrooms while the dorms connect to the existing services. Module 4 is all classrooms and connects directly into an existing classroom. All the modules are also lifted off the ground allowing the area underneath to serve as an informal market space. It also allows the areas beneath the modules to also serve as comfortable shaded social areas.
58 1 2 3 4
DESIGN CONCEPT Programmatic
The site is bordered by classroom and dorms. The negative space that happens between the two holds existing informal usage such as a cafe space and some seating areas.
With my project, I propose pushing the existing programs into my site. My modules contain classrooms and dorms that connect into the existing service areas. The modules all also include courtyards. Courtyards are an important characteristic and they exist throughout most levels of a pol. Therefore, the dorms and classrooms are broken and separated by interior courtyards. The co-existing of all these programs within such a constrained site really exemplifies the notion of a pol.
The elevation of the modules allows for the space under to serve as a market. The market spaces are also divided into different purposes. The area between module 1 & 2 serves as a textile market. Module 3 serves as a cafe space, and module 4 becomes a vegetable market.
59 DRAWING AND MODELS
60 DRAWING AND MODELS Process Work
61 DRAWING AND MODELS Site Plan Parti 1 2 3 4
62
DRAWING AND MODELS Site Plan
63 DRAWING AND MODELS Iso Plan
64 DRAWING AND MODELS Module Drawing
TEXTILE MARKET
TEXTILE MARKET
CAFE
VEGETABLE MARKET
65 DRAWING AND MODELS Module 2 Section
COURTYARD EXISTING BALCONY CLASSROOM EXISTING CLASSROOM MODULE 2 DORMS TEXTILE MARKET
66 DRAWING AND MODELS Textile Market
67 DRAWING AND MODELS Module 3 Section
EXISTING LIVING EXISTING CLASSROOM CAFE SPACE PLANTERS MODULE 3 DORM
68 DRAWING AND MODELS Cafe
69 DRAWING AND MODELS Module 4 Section
EXISTING CLASSROOM COURTYARD EXISTING CLASSROOM MODULE 4 MODULE 4 DORM VEGETABLE MARKET
70 DRAWING AND MODELS Vegetable Market Perpective
71 DRAWING AND MODELS Module 3 + 4 Area
72 DRAWING AND MODELS Overall Aereal
73 BIBLIOGRAPHY
74 WORK CITED
Online Sources “Ahmedabad Pol Houses & Temples, India: Architectural Drawings.” CEPT Archives, http://www.ceptarchives. org/items/ahmedabad-pol-houses-temples-1145. “AID - Pol Houses (Residential Cluster).” Architecture In Development - Homepage, https://www.architecturein- development.org/project.php?id=492. “Www.grandpixels.com. “Architecture of Ahmedabad.” Earthitecture, 1 Jan. 1964, earthitecture.in/architec- ture-of-ahmedabad/.” “CEPT University, Ahmedabad Images and Videos 2020.” GetMyUni, https://www.getmyuni.com/college/cept-uni- versity-ahmedabad-images-videos. “Gandhi Memorial Museum (Sabarmati Ashram) / Charles Correa ArchEyes.” ArchEyes, 15 Sept. 2016, http:// archeyes.com/sabarmati-ashram-museum-gandhi-residence-charles-correa/. “Gandhi Memorial Museum (Sabarmati Ashram) / Charles Correa ArchEyes.” ArchEyes, 15 Sept. 2016, http:// archeyes.com/sabarmati-ashram-museum-gandhi-residence-charles-correa/. Kroll, Andrew. “AD Classics: Indian Institute of Management / Louis Kahn.” ArchDaily, ArchDaily, 25 Oct. 2010, https://www.archdaily.com/83697/ad-classics-indian-institute-of-management-louis-kahn. Lesser, Wendy. You Say to Brick: the Life of Louis Kahn. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2017. “Lost Heritage of Jethabhai Ni Pol.” CEPT Portfolio, https://portfolio.cept.ac.in/archive/lost-heritage-of-jethabhai- ni-pol/. “Manek Chowk - Ahmedabad City Centre Expedia.co.in.” Expedia.co.in, https://www.expedia.co.in/Manek- Chowk-Ahmedabad-City-Centre.d6106758.Attraction. “Manek Chowk Food Court at NIght - Picture of Mankechowk Night Eatery, Ahmedabad.” TripAdvisor, https:// www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g297608-d4354656-i238639348-Mankechowk_Night_Eat- ery-Ahmedabad_Ahmedabad_District_Gujarat.html. Nehru, Jawaharlal. The Discovery of India. Meridian Books. Staff, AD. “BV Doshi Special: Iwan Baan Photographs the Architect’s Most Iconic Architecture.” Architectural Digest India, Architectural Digest India, 30 July 2018, https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/bv-doshi-iconic- architecture-iwan-baan/.
75 REFRENCES Online Sources “Ahmedabad Pol Houses & Temples, India: Architectural Drawings.” CEPT Archives, http://www.ceptarchives. org/items/ahmedabad-pol-houses-temples-1145. “AID - Pol Houses (Residential Cluster).” Architecture In Development - Homepage, https://www.architecturein- development.org/project.php?id=492. “Www.grandpixels.com. “Architecture of Ahmedabad.” Earthitecture, 1 Jan. 1964, earthitecture.in/architec- ture-of-ahmedabad/.” “CEPT University, Ahmedabad Images and Videos 2020.” GetMyUni, https://www.getmyuni.com/college/cept-uni- versity-ahmedabad-images-videos. “Gandhi Memorial Museum (Sabarmati Ashram) / Charles Correa ArchEyes.” ArchEyes, 15 Sept. 2016, http:// archeyes.com/sabarmati-ashram-museum-gandhi-residence-charles-correa/. “Gandhi Memorial Museum (Sabarmati Ashram) / Charles Correa ArchEyes.” ArchEyes, 15 Sept. 2016, http:// archeyes.com/sabarmati-ashram-museum-gandhi-residence-charles-correa/. Kroll, Andrew. “AD Classics: Indian Institute of Management / Louis Kahn.” ArchDaily, ArchDaily, 25 Oct. 2010, https://www.archdaily.com/83697/ad-classics-indian-institute-of-management-louis-kahn. Lesser, Wendy. You Say to Brick: the Life of Louis Kahn. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2017. “Lost Heritage of Jethabhai Ni Pol.” CEPT Portfolio, https://portfolio.cept.ac.in/archive/lost-heritage-of-jethabhai- ni-pol/. “Manek Chowk - Ahmedabad City Centre Expedia.co.in.” Expedia.co.in, https://www.expedia.co.in/Manek- Chowk-Ahmedabad-City-Centre.d6106758.Attraction. “Manek Chowk Food Court at NIght - Picture of Mankechowk Night Eatery, Ahmedabad.” TripAdvisor, https:// www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g297608-d4354656-i238639348-Mankechowk_Night_Eat- ery-Ahmedabad_Ahmedabad_District_Gujarat.html. Nehru, Jawaharlal. The Discovery of India. Meridian Books. Staff, AD. “BV Doshi Special: Iwan Baan Photographs the Architect’s Most Iconic Architecture.” Architectural Digest India, Architectural Digest India, 30 July 2018, https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/bv-doshi-iconic- architecture-iwan-baan/.