project # 3b

TITLE: L. D. INSTITUTE OF INDOLOGY(part-2)
LOCATION: AHMEDABAD
ARCHITECT: B. V. DOSHI

This week’s intention is to focus on some of the interior spaces of this building. The ground floor comprises mainly of administrative facilities like offices and reception areas. The arrival space or the reception area becomes the anchor point, from where one can get into various directions; one can take the stairs and either go to the library in the basement, go to the offices or further ahead go to the L D Indology museum which occupies the southern edge of the entire complex. The reception space has been treated almost like a pavilion in landscape that opens on north and south directions.
reception & waiting
stairs leading to library


library

The library has been sunk below ground level and it is made accessible directly from the reception area with the help of a very sculptural staircase. Library gets its light and cross-ventilation from ventilators placed along the northern and southern edge of the building. The spaces below these ventilators get flooded with natural light and they are intended as reading spaces within library. Originally when the pool is filled with water one can see its reflection on these inclined ceilings and also provides cool air in the basement.
balcony at first floor

The material palette of this entire complex comprises of exposed concrete, mosaic tiles for floor and wood for doors-windows. Apart from these materials white terrazzo has been used creatively at places like built-in seats, parapets and as bands within flooring. An inherent simplicity and boldness prevails in the approach towards materials and architectural elements. On the whole this building is a masterpiece from the oeuvre of Balkrishna Doshi.