IIM Ahmedabad

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IIM AHMEDABAD
LITRATURE CASE
STUDY

INTRODUCTION

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NAME OF THE PROJECT : INDIAN INSTITUTE
OF MANAGEMENT
YEAR OF ESTABLISHED
: 1961
ARCHITECT
: LOUIS I KAHN, BIMAL PATEL
SITE AREA
: 67 ACRE
BUILT UP AREA
: 85,8000 SQM
GROUND COVERAGE : 142,000 SQM
CONTEXT
: URBAN SETTING WITHIN AN
INSTITUTIONAL ZONE
TOPOGRAPHY : MORE OR LESS FLAT LAND

APPROACH
AHMEDABAD IS WELL CONNECTED
WITH ALL THE METROPOLISES IN INDIA
VIA AIR, TRAINS AND ROADS
 THE
SITE
IS
LOCATED
IN
RESIDENTIAL AREA VASTRAPUR,
AHMEDABAD.
 ACCESS TO THE SITE IS DIRECTLY
FROM THE RING ROAD.
 THE IIMA IS 15 KM FAR FROM THE
AIRPORT.
 DISTANCE BETWEEN RAILWAY
STATION AND IIMA:9 KM

THE ARCHITECT

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DESIGNED BY LOUIS KAHN, A WELL KNOWN AMERICAN
ARCHITECT, THE 60 ACRE CAMPUS OF THE INSTITUTE
HAS IT ALL, A BLEND OF AUSTERITY AND MAJESTY,
SPACES FOR CASUAL INTERACTION, FREQUENTLY
CHANGING PERSPECTIVES, AND A BALANCE BETWEEN
MODERNITY AND TRADITION THAT COMPUTERS THE
SPIRIT OF CONTEMPORARY IN INDIA

CONCEPT
ACCORDING TO LOUIS I KAHN, IT’S PLAN
COMES FROM HIS FEELING OF A
MONASTERY.
HE ALWAYS WANTED TO GIVE A SOLID AND
FORMAL LOOK HIS BUILDINGS. HE WANTED
TO CRETE A FORTERESS IN URICK IN
KEEPING WITH THIS SOME OF THE
FEATURES:
 EXPOSED BRICK WORK
 LARGE OPENINGS OR VOIDS IN WALLS
(CIRCULAR AND SEGMENTAL ARCH)
 EXPOSED CONCRETE TIES
 VERY LESS USE OF GLASS FOR WINDOWS
 INTERPLAY OF LIGHT AND SHADE
CORRIDORS
 HIDE ENTRANCES AND WINDOW
OPENINGS
 DIAGONAL SYSTEM OF PLACING THE

PROGRMMES
CONDUCTED
THE INSTITUTE
OFFER A RICH MENU OF
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPEMENT PROGRAMMES
ABOUT 45 PROGARAMMES ARE OFFERED
EVERY YEAR RANGING FROM SHORT
DURATION PROGRAMMES LESS THAN ONE
WEEK TO YEARS MANGEMENT PROGRAMMES.
THE DIFFRENT ACTIVITIES ARE AS FOLLOWS :
 POST GRADUATE PROGRAMME IN
MANAAGEMENT
 POST GRADUATE PROGRAMME IN AGRIBUSINESS MANGEMENT
 FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME IN
MANAGEMENT
 MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMMES
 ACADEMIC RESEARCHES
 CONSULTING

SITE LAYOUT

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



IT IS CONSTRUCTED IN 67 ACRES OF LAND.
IT HAS TWO CAMPUSES, THE HERITAGE CAMPUS AND THE NEW CAMPUS JOINED
BY AN UNDERGROUND GALLERY.
IT IS UNIQUE LOUISH KAHN PLAZA.

MOVEMENT

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OLD
CAMPUS

MIAN ENTRY
SERVICE/RESIDENTIAL ENTRY

NEW
CAMPUS

 OLD CAMPUS: THE ACADDEMIC BLOCK AND DORMETRIES ARE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER GIVING A
SENSE OF MUTAL EXTENSION OF EACOTHER. WITHIIN THE SCHOOLPERMISES LIBRARY IS THE FOCAL
POINT
 NEW CAMPUS : THE CLASS ROOMBLOCK IS SEPERATED FROM THE DDORMITORIES BY A
CENTRAL AISLE, WHIICH IS AN EXTENSION OF UNDER PASS CONNECTING OLD AND NEW CAMPUS
 MASTER PLAN OF INSTITUTE IS DIVIDED IN TO TWO PARTS
 1. INSTITUTIONAL COMPLEX WITH LIBRARY, ADMINISTRATION, FACUALTY BLOCKS, SCHOOL BUILDING
AND STUDENTS DORMITORIES

ZONING

NORT
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ACADMIC
BLOCK
HOSTEL
BLOCK
STAFF

RECREATIONAL
BLOCK
MDC BLOCK

FACULTY

LAYOUT

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UNDER
PASSAGE

SERVICE
TOWER

ACADEMIC
BLOCK

DINNING BLOCK
MDC

AUDITORIUM

ENTRY TO V.SARABHAI

LOUIS KAHN PLAZA

ORIENTATION
THE DIAGONAL LAYOUT HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF THE
BUILDING BEING ORIENTED TOWARDS THE SOUTHWESTERLY
BREEZES. THE ORIENTATION ALSO HELPS TO CUT OUT THE
WEST SUN REDUCING GLARE.

MAIN COMPLEX :

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 THE MAIN COMPLEX CONSIST OF THE TEACHING WING ON
THE SOUTHERN SIDE, FACUALTY, ADMINISTRATION OFFICES
TO THE NORTH, LIBRARY BLOCK TO THE EAST AAND DINING
HALL TO THE WEST
 ENCLOSED ON THREE SIDE BY THIS COMPLEX, IS OPEN MAIN
ASSEMBLY SPACE, A LANDSCAPED COURTYARD
 IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE MAIN COMPLEX IN THE
SERVICE TOWER A MASSIVE STRUCTURE WHICH HOSES THE
AIR-CONDITIONING PLAN AT GROUND LEVEL
 THE SKYLINE OF THE CAMPUS GRADUALLY RISE ITSS ATTAINS
HIGEST POSITION WITH THE SCHOOL BUILDING

ABOUT SITE
IT IS THE INSTITUTIONAL AREA OF
THE CITY THE SITE THE SITE IS
ON VIKRAM SARABHAI ROAD.
THE SITE HAS FOLLOWING
ADVANTAGES :
 SITE IS WEL LINKED WITH
MOST PART OF THE CITY.
 AWAY FROM MAIN TRAFFIC
AREAS LIKE GOVERNMENT
POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE, ATRIA,
CEPT, ARE WITHIN ITS CLOSE
VICINITY.
CONTEXT
URBAN SETTING WITHIN
AN INSTITUTIONAL ZONE.
TOPOGRAPHY
MORE OR LESS FLAT LAND

FORM&MASSING:
ALL BLOCKS ARE RECTANGULAR
AND SIMPLE IN PLAN
THE BUILD MASS OF
CONSIDERAABLE PROPOTION HAS
BEEN SUBUDED BY THE USE OF
LARGE CIRCULAR OPENINGS

SITE CIRCULATION

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•CIRCULATION PATTERN OF THE CAMPUS IS MAINLY PEDESTRIAN WITH VEHICULAR MOVEMENT LIMITED
TILL THE ENTRY POINT.
•THE WHOLE CAMPUS (DORMS AND ACADEMIC BLOCK) CAN BE TRAVERSED IN 10 MINUTES
•THE DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEM OF PATHS, WALKWAYS AND RAMPS IS THERE TO REINFORCE THE
PEDESTRIAN SCALE OF THE CAMPUS
•THE WALKWAYS AT BOTH LOWER AND UPPER LEVEL DORMITORIES CREATE A VISUAL INTEREST AND
EVOKE FEELING OF STREET BEING IN SUCCESSION

CLASS ROOMS

ACTIVITIES&SPACE
S
06

AREA-10MX14M
SEATING CAPACITY-80NOS

SEMINAR/ CONFERENCE
ROOM

05

AREA-8MX4M
SEATING CAPACITY-40

COMPUTER CENTER

(EAC
H)

AREA-720SQ.M
CAPACITY-150

MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPMENT CENTER

01

AREA-900SQ.M

FACULTY HOUSING

60

STAFF HOUSING

90

STUDENTS HOSTEL

18

AUDITORIUM

01

VIKRAMSARABAI LIBRARY
KITCHEN&DINNING
SERVICE TOWER

TOTAL AREA-900SQ.M
AREA OF 1 ROOM2.7MX4M

CIRCULATION IN IIM CAMPUS IS
THROUGH THREE MAJOR ROADS
1. PERIPHERAL
2. INTERNAL
3. SMALLER INTERNAL ROADS
SEPARATE ACCESSES ARE PROVIDED
FOR THE INSTITUTIONAL COMPLEX
AND THE RESIDENTIAL AREA.
PARKING OF
LEFT SIDE
OF
ENTRANCE
AND IS
SHADED BY
DENSE
TREES AND
TWO
WHEELER BY
ASBESTOS
CEMENT
SHADE

AREA-3672SQ.M
CAPACITY-215
RAMP
AND

DORMITORIES

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KAHN COMBINED THE LIVING AND
LEARNING SPACES. DORMS BEING ON
EXTENSION
OF ACADEMIC ZONE.
PLACED NEXT TO MAIN COMPLEX.
DIAGONALLY IN ROWS OF THREE
AROUND SEMI OPEN LANDSCAPED
COURTYARDS
WITH
MAIN
WALLS
RUNNING
FORD
INSTITUTIONAL
COMPLEX .
DORMITORY BLOCK FORM ACTIVITY
CORE OF THE CAMPUS. 18 DORMITORY
BLOCKS ACCOMMODATES ABOUT 400
STUDENT.
THIRD DORMITORY IN EACH ROW
HAVE CLUB ROOM OF COURT LEVEL.
ROOMS IN GROUPS OF 10 ARE
ARRANGED AROUND SERVICE CORE.
THE STAIRCASE , TEA ROOM & WASH
ROOM ARE LOCATED TO PROTECT
LIVING ROOM FROM SUN AND GLARE
WITHOUT CONSTRUCTING BREEZE AND
VENTILATION

DORMITORY TYPE 1

DORMITORY TYPE 2

FACULTY HOUSING
 HOUSES ARE GROUPED IN CLUSTERS
 EACH CLUSTER HAS ONE TYPE OF
HOUSING.

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FACULTY CLUSTER

TYPE 1 STAFF
CLUSTER

RAVI MATHAI CENTRE
•RMC IS A OCTAGONAL IN SHAPE.
•CONSISTS OF AUDITORIUM, COMPUTER LAB AND
ACOUSTIC OFFICES
•THIS AUDITORIUM HAS CAPACITY OF 500 SEATS.
•THIS IS LOCATED NEAR THE PARKING SO THAT THE
STUDENTS AND FACULTY.
•THE ROOF STRUCTURE MADE OF REINFORCED CEMENT
CONCRETE FOLDED PLATE
•IT IS 1.8 M HIGH.
•AC DUCTS, ELECTRICAL CABLES AND RAIN WATER
GUTTERS ARE INTEGRATED WITHIN THE STRUCTURE OF
DIAPHRAGM
•SEMINAR ROOMS, FOYERS AND BACKSTAGE FACILITIES,
INSULATES AUDITORIUM FROM NOISE AND
TEMPERATURE.

TRANSIT CLUSTER

MARRIED
STUDENT

THE MAIN BLOCK CONSIST OF,
1.
2.
3.
4.

11.8M

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LIBRARY

3.3M

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CLASS ROOM
FACULTY WING
LIBRARY
ADMINISTRATION

15 M

INDIVIDUAL PLAN OF
CLASSROOMS

CLASS ROOM

 GROUPED IN CLUSTERS, CONSIST OF CLASS
ROOM S AND SEMINAR ROOMS ALONG WITH
SEMI OPEN SPACES
 IT CAN BE ENTERED FROM TWO SIDES
 THE SEMI OPEN SPACES ACT AS TRANSITION
POINT BETWEEN DOUBLE HEIGHT CORRIDOR
AND CLASSROOMS
 THE CORRIDORS ALSO HAVE A SENSE OF
BELONGING ACT AS AN EXTENSION OF CLASS
ROOMS BY ALLOWING DISCUSSION AND
INTERACTION
 KAHN’S CONCEPT OF SERVED AND SERVANT

VIKRAMSARABHAI
LIBRARY
•LIBRARY BLOCK FORMS
FOCUS OF DESIGN
LAYOUT AND BINDS VARIOUS BLOCKS AND
SPACES TOGETHER
•CONCEIVED IN TWO SEPARATE BLOCKS WITH
TOGETHER BY A CENTRAL SERVICE CORE
•NATURAL LIGHTING THROUGH LARGE ROUND
OPENINGS FROM LIGHT WELLS ON FRONT
SIDE
•STAIRWELL ACTS AS SEPARATOR OF TWO
BLOCKS
•THE LIBRARY FUNCTIONS ARE ORGANIZED IN
VERTICAL SECTIONS
a. GROUND FLOOR – CHIEF LIBRARIAN’S
OFFICE, AUDIO VISUAL ROOM AND
REPROGRAPHY. MICRO DOCUMENTATION,
NON
BOOK MATERIAL SECTIONS, CURRENT
PRESS, INDUSTRIAL INFORMATION, BLOCK
ACQUISITION, TECHNICAL SECTION
b. FIRST FLOOR-ISSUE AND RECEPTION
COUNTER, PERIODICALS, STACK ROOM,
FACULTY
LATEST
ARRIVALS, MANAGEMENT OFFICES
BLOCK
c. SECOND FLOOR- COMMON READING,
RESERVED READING, JOURNALS AND
STACK
LAWN
LIBRAR
Y

CLASS
ROOMS

14.3 M

24.7 M

FACULTY BLOCK

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•THE CORRIDORS ARE HAS
VERY LESS LIGHT AND
VENTILATION
•THE STAFF ROOMS ARE
ARRANGED IN CLUSTERS
PLAN OF FACULTY
BLOCK

A
HMANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
M •SEPARATE BLOCK AWAY FROM MAIN BLOCK
E •COMPRISING OF OFFICE, CLASSROOMS, LECTURE
D THEATERS, COMPUTER FACULTY ROOMS AND
RESIDENTIAL UNITS FOR STUDENTS
A •SPATIAL ORGANIZATION SIMILAR TO MAIN BLOCK
B •COURT IS THE MAIN TAIURE
11 ROOMS ARE CENTRALLY AIR CONDITIONED WITH
A •BALCONIES
OVER LOOKING LANDSCAPED COURT
D

MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPMENT
CENTRE

DINING BLOCK
•DINING AREA WITH GOOD ARRANGEMENT OF
LIGHT AND VENTILATION
•CONNECTED TO SEPARATE SERVICE
ENTRANCE FROM ROAD
•KITCHEN ‘DINING IS LOCATED ON THE
NORTHWEST SIDE OF THE SITE.
•IT IS CONNECTED WITH DORNITORV BLOCK
WITH A PASSAGE KNOWN AS VILLAGE
•THE DINING HALL FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY
AND STAFF IS THE SAME

DINING BLOCK

ADMINISTRATION
BLOCK

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INCLUDES,
1.RECEPTION
2.PUBLIC RELATION OFFICE
3. CONFERENCE ROOM
4. ROOM FOR STAFF

SERVICE TOWER
 PLACED IN THE CORNER OF THE CAMPUS
 MASSIVE STRUCTURE THAT STANDS LIKE SYMBOL
OF TEMPLE OF LEARNING.
 HERE THE SKYLINE OF THE CAMPUS SUDDENLY
RISES AND ATTAINS HIGHEST POSITION.
 ALL THE SERVICES HAVE BEEN LOCATED IN THE
SAME TOWER

CONNECTING BRIDGE

 CONNECTS CLASS ROOMS TO DORMS.
 THE LIVELIEST SPACE IN THE CAMPUS.
 OPEN SPACE FOR SITTING AND CHATTING DURING
FREE HOURS.
 THE OPEN BRIDGES BECOMES SLIPPERY IN THE
RAIN. LOUIS KAHN PLAZA
 INSTEAD OF USING SEVERAL COURTS. ONE LARGE
COURT IS USED AT THE CENTRE
 THIS COURT IS OPEN, AIRY AND GREEN.
 STANDING IN THE PLAZA GIVES THE FEELING OF
PEACE.
 MOST OF THE PEOPLE LIKE TO SPEND THERE TIME
IN IT, AS IT IS FELT PEACEFUL, COMFORTING AND
RELAXING.

WATER TANK

SERVICE ROOM

NEW CAMPUS

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THE NEW CAMPUS HAS TWO
MAJOR SECTIONS:

1. ONE SECTION CATERS TO NEEDS OF
PGP,PGP-ABM AND FPM COURSES.
. THIS SECTOR CONSIST OF SEVEN
DORMITORIES, FIVE CLASS ROOMS,
FOUR SEMINAR ROOMS, FACULTY BLOCK
AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING.

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 THE INSTITUTE DEVELOPED A NEW
CAMPUS TO ACCOMMODATE THE
GROWTH.
 THIS WAS ACHIEVED BY EXTENDING
THE PRESENT CAMPUSES BY A FURTHER
39 ACRES.
 THE NEW CAMPUS INCLUDES STATE-OFTHE-ART INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
AND CONVENTIONCENTRE ALONG WITH
CLAS ROOM, DORMITORIES AND
ANCILLARY FACILITIES.IT HAS ADDED 5
MORE CLASS ROOMS AND 12 SEMINAR
ROOMS..

SITE PLAN

2. THE OTHER SECTION IS REFERRED TO AS INTERNATIONAL
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE. THIS ALSO CATERS TO
THE NEEDS OF PGP-X AND OTHER EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS.
. THIS SECTION CONSISTS OF 164 RESIDENTIAL ROOMS , THREE
CLASS ROOMS , TWO SEMINAR ROOMS ,24 SYNDICATE ROOMS
AND EXCLUSIVE DINNING HALL .
. THER ARE FOUR RESIDENTIAL SECTION PARALLEL TO EACH
OTHER .THER ARE THRE FLOORS WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED BY

RESIDENCE
BLOCK
ACADEMIC
BLOCK

ZONING

UNDER PASSES

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THE TWO CAMPUSES ARE SEPARATED BY A 132 RING ROAD.
 THE PEDESTRIAN UNDER PASS THE TWO CAMPUSES INTO A
SINGLE UNIT.
 IT FUNCTIONS AS A EXHIBITION SPACE.
 LIFTS OPENABLE TO TWO SIDES ARE USED.
 SKYLIGHTS ARE PROVIDED OVER STEP.

MATERIAL AND
TECHNOLOGY
THE BUILDINGS ARE
CONSTRUCTED IN LOAD BEARING .


 ARCHES ARE EXTENSIVELY USED WHICH ARE
CONSTRUCTED IN BRICK RESTED ON CONCRETE MEMBERS.
 THE EXPOSED BRICK WORK GIVES IIMA A LOOK OF A FORT.
 AHMEDABAD HAS EXTREME CLIMATE :
SUMER ; SHORT AND VERY COLD.
WINTER: SHORT AND VERY COLD.
 SO THE BUILT FORM SHOULD INSULATE THE LIVING SPACE.
 TRADITIONAL MATERIAL BRICK WAS USED.
 BUT IN THE NEW CAMPUS CONCRETE IS USED AS THE
BUILDING MATERIAL.

USE OF LIGHT
 LIGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT ELEMENT USED IN THE BUILDINGS WHICH HAS MADE THE IIM
BUILDING SUCH A SUCCESS.
 LIGHT COMING FROM CIRCULAR AND SQUARE OPENINGS KEEPS ON MOVING INSIDE THE
BUILDING OR THE CORIDORS GIVING IT A LIVING CHARACTER.

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CORRIDORS

PLAZA

PASSAGE

USE OF ARCHES
 ALMOST ALL TYPES OF ARCHES ARE EFFECTIVELY IN VARIOUS PART OF IIMA.
 THEY ARE GOOD , BEAUTIFUL,BREAKS THE MONOTONY OF THE STRAIGHT WALLS AND THEY
ALLOW LOT OF LIGHT AND AIR.
 ARCHES MADE IN THE WALLS GIVES INTERSTING PATTERN OF LIGHT INSIDE THE BUILDING.
 ARCHES USED IN CORRIDORS GIVES A FRAME FOR THE LANDSCAPED AREA OUTSIDE.

FACULTY BLOCK

FACULTY CORRIDOR

CRITERIA

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ANALYSIS

ENTRY

•THERE ARE 4 ENTRIES –
1.RESIDENTIAL
2.INSTITUTIONAL
3.SERVICE
4.NEW CAMPUS.
•THE MAIN ENTRANCE IS NOT VERY GRAND.

ZONING AD LAYOUT

•IT IS ZONED TO ACADEMIC AND RESIDENTIAL ZONES.
•ARRANGEMENT OF PLANNING IS FORMAL.
•REPETITION OF BLOCKS CREATES CONFUSION.

FOCUS

•NO VISUAL FOCUS
•LIBRARY IS LOCATED ON MAIN BLOCK WHICH IS
FOCUSED

TOPOGRAPHY

•SITE IS FLAT.
•MAIN BUILDING IS ON STILT.

VEGETATION

•SPARES VEGETATION
•DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN.

CIRCULATION

•CONNECTED ACCORDING TO ZONING
•CIRCULATION IS THROUGH PERIPHERAL AND SMALLER
INTERNAL ROAD.
•VEHICULAR ACCESS THROUGH PERIPHERAL AND MAJOR
INTERNAL ROAD ONLY.
•SEPARATE PATHWAY WERE CONNECTED WITH BRIDGES.
•SEPARATE SERVICE ENTRY

BLOCKING/MASSING

•BLOCKING IS IN GRID PATTERN FOR INSTITUTIONAL.
•LINEAR ARRANGEMENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL AND
HOUSING
•MASSING WITH SOLID WALLS
•HORIZONTALLY SPREAD PLAN.

OPEN SPACES

•PLANNED OPEN SPACES FOR INTERACTION AND
RECREATION.