NISHA GOPINATH Y 1MS18AT040 , 6 ‘S’ 

NARRATIVE REVIEW 
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT), DELHI 
 

Project Details 
The project was designed by the architects Stein, Doshi and Bhalla. The three architects worked 
together, but the NIFT design is considered to be the Doshi Project. The project was completed in 
1986 and the area of the site is around 3 acres. The project is situated in Hauz Khas in New Delhi. 
B.V.Doshi is considered the chief architect for the campus design.

The Tale of the Sacred Spring

The central courtyard of NIFT aims to recreate the sentiment of a conventional square and
cultivate a feeling of socialization. Doshi considered the environment like a bazaar, its dramatic
component elevated by events, unconstrained and otherwise, of students and guests.
Examining a conceptual design of the courtyard with one intern working in his studio, Doshi
understood that she was unable to envision the space as dramatic, mystical and practically
sacrosanct. He revealed to her that in the past the site had a lovely village with a centrally
located sacred pond. Being the only source of water in all vicinity, it became a place of worship
and pilgrimage. After digging very deeply it was discovered that Individuals gathered there to
make money by singing, dancing as well as choosing their partners for the future. Stages and
steps were gradually created around this magical lake to encourage ceremonies. Many elegant
houses were built around this area. It was then that the archaeological authorities procured the
site and gave it to the Fashion Institute, requesting that they protect whatever they could of its
sacrality and add a present-day dimension to it. Thus, the intern was forced to enter the realm of
fiction and fantasy, the tale of Doshi meant she no longer found herself interested in free
formalism. A sense of the past was invoked which was recreated by architecture. The courtyard,
water features and steps, in fact, allude to a past that didn't exist. Doshi’s vision was
materialised to bring about a sense of the past. It was not only the intern for whom a mysterious
sense was generated; in their engagement with it, the synthetic construct of the narration and
construction ignited the imagination of a much broader audience. Doshi's concept of the building
revolves around form-imagery perception thus providing building with roots, life and history.

CAMPUS DESIGN
The NIFT grounds represents a theatre, the scene for unfurling show of day to day life. For the
central kund like court, wide casually adjusted steps, water-channels ( from step well baoli of
Ahmedabad, which in ancient Indian architecture is considered a water conservation
technique),green regions, overlooking porches and bridges develop as components of space
designing to reproduce for design and fashion.
The complex consists of Indian and Westerm garment and textile collection, a laboratory and
design studios as well exporters showrooms, textile manufacturer's showrooms and outlet for
sale of cloth and textile. For fashion needs very changing demand with respect to time, Doshi
created various display galleries, low and high platforms, areas for formal and casual
activities.The court is the main feature of building and occasionally acts as an interactive
space.(steps of the courts act as sitting space)