B.V.

DOSHI
Unit 2 – Architecture and Context
Interpreting and analyzing ideas/ writings and works of
architects that address universals of architecture within
a particular context.
 Introduction
As an architect
Architectural principles
Philosophies
Critics
Important buildings
Architectural project
• SANGATH, Ahmadabad.
• IIM, Bangalore
Conclusion
B.V.Doshi
Content
 Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi was born in Pune, in 1927.

• Pioneering in the low-cost-housing , Doshi has led

the evolution of contemporary Indian architecture.
• Doshi applies Modernists concepts to an Indian
context, and he has developed a theory of the city as
an augmentation of layers and overlays.
• As a result, his work is a visual feast of diverse
mediums, dimensions, and textures.

• Padmashri award winner on 1976

B.V.Doshi
Introduction
 • Bachelors from J. J. School of Art, Bombay in 1950.

• He travelled to London in 1951 to find himself

participating in the activities of the Congrès
International d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM). There
he was offered his first job with Le Corbusier in Paris,
who was designing Chandigarh at the time.

• In 1956 he established a private practice in Vastu-Shilpa,

Ahmedabad .

B.V.Doshi
As an Architect...
 • He also founded and designed the School of Architecture
and Planning in Ahmadabad. Doshi has worked in
partnership as Stein, Doshi & Bhalla since 1977.

• Doshi worked closely with Louis khan and Anant Raje,

when Kahn designed the campus of the Indian Institute of
Management.

• In 1995,Aga Khan Award for Architecture, for the Aranya

Community Housing in Indore, India.

• Doshi's architecture provides one of the most important

models for modern Indian architecture.

B.V.Doshi
As an Architect
 • Combining his early work experience at
Le Corbusier’s studio in Paris with his
own research into native Indian
architecture, he introduced a unique Traditional architecture
form of modernism to the country that +
remained sensitive to the Indian context of
Contemporary architecture
community and environment.
• He cites the temples of Madurai as his
learning grounds for lessons on rhythm
and composition, just as he attributes his Doshi Architecture
work ethic to Le Corbusier.

B.V.Doshi
Principles
 Mythical science

Vasthu-purusha mandala
(Environment-Energy-Astrology)

Transformation of energy

Human institutions

Flexible approach

Symbolism

Amorphous forms

Timelessness

B.V.Doshi
Principles
• 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. effective logistic Success
construction planning of project
• Interrelationship of indoor and outdoor space
• An appropriate approach to materials
• Proper climatic response
• Observance of hierarchy and order
contracting co-ordination
• Construction of scale models and of full scale
mockups to make decisions jointly with the
client.

B.V.Doshi
Philosophies
 •   “Le Corbusier was like a guru to me,” he says. He taught me
to observe and react to climate, to tradition, to function, to
structure, to economy, and to the landscape.
• “And because he was my guru, I decided that I could not copy
him.” 
• A deep understanding of the past and a comfortable
relationship with the present was the only way that India
could invent a sustainable future for herself, was their belief.

B.V.Doshi
Philosophies
 • Sangath ,Ahmedabad (1979-89)
• Centre for Environment and Planning Technology(CEPT),
Ahmedabad (1968)
• Indian institute of management Bangalore (1977-85)
National institute of fashion technology New Delhi (1997)
• Husain-doshi guffa (1992-95)
• Aranya low-cost housing ,indore (1983-86)

B.V.Doshi
Important works
 • IFFCO township, Kalol
• Sawai Gandharva, Pune
• Premabhai Hall, Ahmedabad
• Tagore Hall, Ahmedabad
• Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur
• Institute of indology ahmedabad(1957-62)
• Madhya Pradesh electricity board Jabalpur (1979-89)

B.V.Doshi
Important works
 Location : Ahmedabad
Year : 1979-1981
Site area : 2346 m2
Built up Area : 585 m2
Building : Architect  office
Architectural style : modern

---”moving together through Participation”

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
 Idea....

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
 Concepts

• Design concerns of climate ( temperature or humidity

or sunlight).
• Extensive use of vaults
• Main studio partly bellow the ground (sunken)
• Very less use of mechanical instrument
• Continuity of Spaces

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
 Concepts

• Special materials are used resulting in a low cost

building costing it
• Lot of vegetation & water bodies
• Use of lot of diffused sunlight
• Complete passive design
• Grassy steps which Doshi uses as informal
Amphitheatre

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
Spaces
Reception
office
workshop
Library
Conference
Ancillary spaces

Ground floor plan

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
 First floor plan

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
 Elevations and Sections

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
 Diffuse light in the drafting studio

Passive solar design

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
 Design Feature

The vaulted roof is of locally-

made clay fuses over the concrete
slab, which provides a non-
conducting layer

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
 Materials and construction techniques

• Exposed natural finishes

The concrete of slabs and wall surfaces are kept
bare unplastered as final visual finishes, which
provide a natural look and save on finishing
material quantity.

• Use of secondary waste material

Paving material is a stone chip waste while the
roof surface is glazed tiles waste, both available
as waste material from factories at no cost.

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-1 Sangath ,Ahmedabad.
 Location : Bangalore
Year : 1973
Site area : 100 acre
Built up Area : 54,000 sq m
Building : Instituitional
Architectural style : modern

“The architect ,B.V.Doshi ,achieved his vision by

linking a network of corridors , courtyards and
external spaces allowing for future extension.”

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-2 IIM ,Bangalore
 Concept and Inspiration

•In a large complex such as IIM the main problem architect

facing was how to make each portion distinct and yet to provide
overall unity to create institutional identity.

•The planning principles used in fatehpur sikri provided an

example of each unity, as well as stuble lessons about materials
consistency of details and hierarchy of scale, all evident at
Bangalore.

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-2 IIM ,Bangalore
 Concept and Inspiration

•“My lighting is different from that of

Corbusier and Louis khan. Contrast IIM
Banglore with that of Kahn at Ahmedabed.
IIM B is more like walking through a
garden.”

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-2 IIM ,Bangalore
 Spaces

The main grouping of the campus, which contains

administrative offices, classrooms, laboratories and a
library is arranged as a datum in a ladder-like plan
along a longitudinal axis with student dormitories a
short distance away, organised in interlocking squares at
an angle to this axis.

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-2 IIM ,Bangalore
• 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.

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-2 IIM ,Bangalore
 staircase,
showing doshi’s dramatic use of
modern materials to create an effect
• That is simultaneously monumental,
airy and light

B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-2 IIM ,Bangalore
 B.V.Doshi
Architectural Work-2 IIM ,Bangalore