Synopsis:

Understanding the principles of B V Doshi

Athira Raj

Roll No.: 13

Internal guide: Ar. Asha OS

SCMS School of Architecture

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Title
Understanding the design principles of B V Doshi
Abstract

The spaces we inhabit influence how we act and how we feel. Architects and
urban planners create the constructed worlds that people consciously or
unconsciously accept, the places where they spend and enjoy their time. But in
just the same way, spaces can emerge that are uninviting, that gener ate
discontent, and that are ultimately shunned. Regardless of the formal design
language employed, the quality of a space is determined above all by the users’
intuitive acceptance of it. Working in a discipline that exercises an influence like
almost no other on people’s daily lives, architects are faced with the constant
challenge of reading and interpreting a particular space’s potential impact, using
all their senses and looking at it from many different perspectives, and then
enhancing its positive qualities.

B V Doshi has overcome this challenge successfully with a mutually useful and
enriching balance between industrial town and rural base. His works explore
mythical and poetic dimensions of nature and has an absorption of foreign
influences by deep Indian currents.

This paper sheds light on B V Doshi’s design principles to create climatic and
user friendly designs.

3.Limitations

(i) The research will specifically be limited to the design principles that improves the
interaction between man and nature and positively affect the mental health of human beings.

(ii) The data and findings will be based upon the writings and description of the works from
books architecture magazines, websites, the talks and documentaries of B V Doshi and live
case studies.
(iii) The study is particularly in the context of the two campuses-CEPT Ahmedabad.
5.Introduction

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The spaces we inhabit influence how we act and how we feel. Architects and
urban planners create the constructed worlds that people consciously or
unconsciously accept, the places where they spend and enjoy their time. But in
just the same way, spaces can emerge that are uninviting, that generate
discontent, and that are ultimately shunned. Regardless of the formal design
language employed, the quality of a space is determined above all by the users’
intuitive acceptance of it. Working in a discipline that exercises an influence like
almost no other on people’s daily lives, architects are faced with the constant
challenge of reading and interpreting a particular sp ace’s potential impact, using
all their senses and looking at it from many different perspectives, and then
enhancing its positive qualities.

5.1.B V Doshi’s philosophy

Architecture is a matter of transformation. Transformation of all adverse situations into

favourable conditions. He is searching something new always which is indication of creativity
of an architect. While talking about the transformation, he is clear about his objective of project
and transformation should take place to meet these objectives but he is flexible in his approach
to reach to these objectives. The main key aspect of his philosophy remains the openness of
ideas and he himself quotes the Gandhi “open the windows but see that your roof is not blown
out, make sure that the foundations are strong.” Doshi understand the importance of foundation
and that is nothing but looking back to traditional architecture of India and he is opening to
new window which are adaption with new technology, new living style etc. According to 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. Doshi’s work reflects the
interrelationship of indoor and outdoor spaces and he focuses on openness through colonnades,
pergola, porticos, skylights etc. He does not only focus on design but gives importance to many
other factors and in his own words “success of any project depends on effective construction,
contracting, logistic planning and co-ordination”. He adopts various design principles in his
work given below:
 Flexible rather than rigid approach to the structure
 Timelessness in his architecture.
 Mythical sense –moving beyond historical examples of his own region

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 Transformation between the building and the people that transcends the functional use.
 The notation of flexibility and symbolism.
 The architectonic scale and massing (vaulting), the clear sense of space and an attraction
towards materials remain thematically strong throughout his works.
Doshi made an intensive and sustained study of traditional Indian philosophy and ancient
architectural texts, while maintaining a deep commitment to modernism.
5.2. His view on modern buildings
The buildings now are dead, cutting people off from nature and each other. They are robotic,
commanded, conditioned.
6.Study area
CEPT, Ahmedabad
The Centre for Environmental Planning & Technology, established by architect B.V.Doshi in
Ahmedabad, has been moulding young students into architects for the past 39 years, evolving
as one of the premier institutions for architecture studies in the country. The campus is located
in the heart of the Ahmedabad city, in the university area and has been designed by Doshi
himself. Doshi and his contemporaries believe that a student of architecture must be surrounded
by beauty and art, so that he/she develops into a well-rounded creative person, ‘sensitive to the
emotional, spiritual, cultural and aesthetic dimensions’. This philosophy is epitomised in the
campus design itself, with built and open spaces forming a harmonious whole with nature,
interspersed with sculptures, installations and other art works.

The language Doshi has used is of exposed brick with concrete, emphasising the slabs and the
beams to create a natural coarse texture which has weathered over the years and now almost
forms part of the land. The buildings are organised as double storeyed linear masses, open from
both sides, letting in plenty of light and ventilation into the studios. In addition, there are
inclined skylights on top of the studios, perpetually letting in natural light into the spaces. The
studio spaces have bay spaces facing the exterior, creating semi-private spaces which are yet
totally open to the exterior - spaces where the individual can be alone with nature even in the
environment of a studio.

The entry to the complex is through a long axis which ends up in facing a blank wall. One is
forced to turn, go down a flight of brick paved steps and turn then again to enter the main wide
flight of steps leading up to the library. This forms the main axis, which runs along the side of
the library block with steps rising up ever so slowly towards the framed entrance to the library.
On the right side is the double storeyed studio block perpendicular to the axis of the library.

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One gets glimpses of a long framed visual axis running through the open ground floor of the
studio block. The levels are articulated to create subtle demarcation of spaces.

There are small structures of the wood workshop and the tv room, which helps in containing
space. The neem trees provide a perpetual changing pattern of light and shade. The steps in fact
become external activity hubs with students using the levels for reading, organising informal
discussions, performances or even for simply lazing around.

There is a small canteen on the corner of the axis of the studio block. There are external built
in seats which encourage discussions and which over the years have evolved into the most
active vibrant part of the entire campus. Both students and faculty sit around this space,
chatting, discussing and one of the most favourite phrases heard in the campus is ‘let’s have a
cup of chai’. This space is a true reflection of the spirit and culture in the campus with a great
atmosphere of interaction, informal discussions and learning. And one of the other great thing
is that the campus is open to external architects and student architects who flock to Ahmedabad
to do their training, thereby allowing them to be part of the atmosphere of this great campus,
including access to the great canteen food.

The campus is full of neem trees, which, as Doshi keeps saying were planted over the years
since the initial phase. The beauty of the campus is that the buildings help in containing the
spaces and creates external spaces and platforms, which act as extensions into the open nature.
There exists a harmony running throughout the whole campus, building and nature coexisting
in a comfortable relationship.

7.Study objective

This study is based on analysis of CEPT, Ahmedabad campus design by B V Doshi to

understand his design principles. A methodology is derived to assess the design. It documents
the spatial planning and principles used in the design.
8.Methods & Methodology
(i) Study and analyse IIM Bangalore & CEPT Ahmedabad.
(ii) Document the data as drawings and photographs
(iii) Interview the architect.

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9.References
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315701421_Fusion_of_Ancient_and_Contemporar
y_Design_Principles_in_the_Works_of_BV_Doshi
http://arkistudentscorner.blogspot.com/2011/10/bvdoshi-cept-ahmedabad.html