B.V.

DOSHI
nidhi sharma 23:06 ARCHITECTS

INTRODUCTION :-
● Born in Pune, India.
● He did his Bachlors from J. J. School of Architecture, Mumbai.
● Dr. Doshi is equally known as an educator and institution builder.
● He worked for 4 years with le Corbusier as senior designer in Paris.

DESIGN APPROACH :-
● His first step synthesizes a broad range of fundamental concerns i.e. human
accommodation, construction integrity, appearance and aesthetics.
● Each building derives its form from a very specific architectural response to its
programmatic intent, site, environmental conditions and dialogue with its patrons. 
● All his buildings are environment sensitive and are in harmony with their
surroundings.
● Most of his projects have evolved around themes which highlight the conservation of
energy
● The use of local materials, craft persons and appropriate technologies has been an
extension of this attitude.
● He makes it a point to find out the history and culture of the area and designs the
building keeping the aforementioned factors in mind.
● He does not favour the imposition of any particular style on his work. 
● He favours the use of contemporary building materials along with the traditional
materials of the area. 
 ● Most of his buildings have no façade treatment , like his guru Corbusier.

PHILOSOPHIES :-
● It is this so called ‘filter’ between contemporary and traditional architecture which
Doshi has masterfully brought in.
● The success of any project depends on effective construction, contracting, logistic
planning and co-ordination.
● An essential part of the philosophy is the construction of scale models and of full
scale mock-ups to make decisions jointly with the client about the building.

PRINCIPLES :-
Doshi’s work revolves around following principles of design :-

1.  Architecture Of The Un-built (Energizing Voids)

2. The Order Of The Heterogeneous Homoginity
3.  Myth – Form Imaginary – Perception
4. Built – In Flexibility And Open – Endedness Of Design
5. Encouraging Interaction Through Built-form
6. Resource Conservation
7. According to him architecture of a building is conceived not as a container of specific
activities but as a place to be inhabited, as a place to facilitate the course of human
environment.
8. Doshi’s work has consistently revolved around the inter relationship of outdoor and
indoor spaces, an honest and appropriate approach to materials, proper climatic
response.

PROJECTS :-
1. HUSSAIN-DOSHI GUFA
PROJECT DETAILS :-

CEPT Campus, Ahmedabad 

Client - M.F.Hussain.
Principal Architect - Balkrishna Doshi 
Site Area - 1000 Sq.M.
Built-up Area - 280 SqM.
Project Cost - Rs. 1.8 million (1993) 

● The basic form evolves out of a module of intersecting circles and ellipse.
● The spaces formed within are contiguous through inclined planes of domes,
curvilinear planes of walls, undulating floors and non rectilinear leaning columns. 
● Buried spaces, earth mounds, raised volumes and china mosaic finish renders the
architecture energy conscious.
The references for the Gufa are primeval: 

1. The Buddhist Stupa and its appearance in monasteries of Karle

2. The caves of Ajanta
3. The circle
4. The mountain 
MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION :-

● A simply wire mesh and mortar lined floor in a form of natural sag of cloth,eliminated
the need for a foundation, 
● Structure comprises of an inch thick ferro-cement shell without any form work.
DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS :-

● Dome volumes relieving and exalting the centeredness of the plan 

● Internal space division by columns defied by their non vertical alignment and
irregular forms 
● All these offer a multiple dimensions of mystery and surprise. A sense of discovery
synonymous to early caves. 
2. ARANYA LOW-COST HOUSING TOWNSHIP, INDORE (1983-1986)
 SITE PLAN

● It is located 6 kms. From the centre of Indore on Agra-Bombay highway.

● Aranya site is flat.
● Doshi was commissioned by the Indore Development Authority to provide housing
for the “Economically weaker sector”.
● Ar. Decided to integrate some upper-income units to subsidize the lower cost units.
● The target population was 40,000 on a 80 hectare site, incorporating 6,500 plots
ranging b/w 35 & 475 sq. mts.
● Of these 65% were allocated for the very poor, 11% for lower income, 14% for
middle income, 9% for high income group.

EVOLUTION - MASTER PLAN :-

● The outer periphery consist units for H.I.G and most weaker section is inside. Each
house provided with an OTTA- an outdoor platform. For economic resources use of
 shared foundations and party walls been carved out.
● Brick, stone, and concrete are available locally, but owners are free to use any
material they choose for house construction and decoration.
● The main street runs at the centre of plan in zig-zag pattern.
● External patios is provided as the spaces for interaction.

VARIED FACADE TREATMENTS WITH MATERIAL CONTROL

3. INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, BANGALORE (1977-1985)
 ● Sloping topography of the site.
● Built up area 54000 sq. mts.
● Building includes the external spaces and the link between the buildings.
● Functional  and  physical  attributes  of  the  design  are  related  to  the  local
traditions  of  pavilion like spaces & courtyards.
● Ample  provision  for  plantation
● Use of local material.
● The forecourt and entrance are at the lower left of plan. Dormitories are arranged
diagonally around an interlocking series of courtyards in upper part.

MODEL OF IIM BANGALORE SHOWING ITS PLANNING

FEATURES OF BUILDING :-

● Design included long and unusually high “three  storeyed” corridors with innumerable
vistas of focal points.
● Corridors are sometimes seem open, sometimes with only pergolas and sometimes
partly covered with skylight.
● Varying direct and indirect sunlight coupled with solid-void combination.
● To further heighten the spatial experience, the width of the corridors was modulated
in many places to allow casual sitting , interaction or moving  forward to one
destination or more.
CORRIDORS COVERED WITH
PERGOLAS
 OPENINGS IN THE WALL

● Corridors of columns beneath concrete pergolas create a rhythm of light & shadow.
● Use of varying rhythm of solids and voids i.e. walls  and openings.
● The main area- is a complex of courtyards linked by walkways or internal streets,
some covered & some open to sky, creating vistas or focal points.
ATRIUM IN LIBRARY FOR NATURAL LIGHT

CORRIDORS WITH NATURAL LIGHT

4. SANGATH, AHMEDABAD (1979-1981)

Balkrishna Doshi‘s own studio, Sangath, features a series of sunken vaults sheathed in china
mosaic as well as a small grassy terraced amphitheater and flowing water details. Having
been considered the building that fully describes himself, Sangath is a complete combination
of Doshi‘s architectural themes from his previous work including complex interiors and
structures, ambiguous edges, vaults and terraces. More about Sangath after the break.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
Sangath also expresses Balkrishna Doshi’s desire for a connection between nature and the
individual. The overall form exaggerates the details of nature with its rolling mounds, cave-
like spaces, terraced land, playful water channels, and reflective surfaces. Storm water in
funneled through the site by the slick, round vaults and water troughs. The sunken interior
spaces are insulated by clay within the structure. Heat from the sun is reduced by grassy
mounds and the white reflective china mosaic that covers each vault. Natural light is also
filtered into the interior spaces during the day, while the moon is reflected in the ponds and
across the china mosaics at night.
WINDOW FOR NATURAL LIGHT IN STUDIOS
5. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY, NEW DELHI (1997)
 SITE PLAN

● A Centrally located site of 2.87 acres (11,642 sq. mts.) in Hauz-Khas was selected.
● The institute was visualized as an international fashion center.
● The NIFT site is surrounded by housing & institutional uses.
● Fashion Design demands continuous innovation, for this changing environment
highly visible display and show areas are essential.
● Doshi’s concept of surrounding the inner court with each of the main blocks of
complex b/w 3 & 4 stories high gives the feeling of traditional chowk (courtyard).
● Angled glazed surfaces of the administration block.
● Flight of brick steps lead to the courtyard from the main gate.
● The administrative block located in the foreground of the complex with library and
exhibition area.
● First courtyard- Modified kund or saucer-shaped rainwater store.
● Second courtyard- Informal Amphitheatre.
● Both courtyards form the central space of institute & have glazed corridors around
them that allow a clear view of the galleries, the classroom cluster, the adm. block,
library & dormitory block.
GLAZED WALKWAY
● Entrance at the top of the inner court. 
● The centre of the complex create a dramatic descent to a pool with reflective angled
glass multiplying the effect.
● There is an undulating painted steel pergola above the internal court as a symbolic
gateway.
● Central water channel leading from outside in to heart of complex.