Achyut Kanvinde Campus Design
Pirjo
In 1959, Kanvinde was provided a unique opportunity to design a new campus for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kanpur, one of five such institutes built in different parts of the country to impart quality technological training.
The 420-hectare generally flat site, located on the outskirts of Kanpur, is accessed from the Grand Trunk Road with an irrigation canal running across one side. The first phase was planned for 2,500 students, with matching faculty and technical support staff.
Within the campus, Kanvinde was responsible primarily for the academic complex, which included lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, faculty offices, a computer centre, workshops, an auditorium, and other support facilities, while the housing and hostels were assigned to M/s Kothari and Associates.
Responding to the visionary ideas of director P.K. Kelkar, project co-ordinator Norman Dahl, and program architect Russell Wood, Kanvinde created a campus where the notion of isolated academic departments was replaced by a new concept of different disciplines working together to provide an integrated curriculum marked by interconnectedness and flexibility. The concept marked a paradigm shift in campus planning. It was also to be a precursor to several institutions that he was to design later in his career.
The two-level lecture hall complex comprises a series of fan-shaped lecture halls of varying capacities. The 120,240 and 450-capacity tiered halls are arranged in pairs, around a central support facility, in an oblong layout linked to the walkway system. The elevated form of the structure keeps the ground floor free for interaction and accommodates service areas such as air handling units and toilets. A series of exposed concrete shafts carry the air-conditioning ducts to the lecture halls above. A common structural system of folded slabs and diaphragm beams for the large-span roofs impart a unique visual characteristic to the complex.
The typology for the two-storey Southern Laboratories consists of an independent, doubly loaded corridor, linked to the laboratory spaces by a series of bridges, with cut-outs ensuring light and ventilation for both corridor and laboratory spaces.
A double-height stilted entrance facing the main plaza and water body creates a sense of entry to the complex. Curved concrete sun breakers on the east and west faces, as well as the horizontal louvre, give the building a definitive character.
A similar plan typology of rectangular and L-shaped blocks connected to a covered walkway system is used for the Western Laboratories. In both laboratories, some surfaces are finished in plaster in addition to the predominant combination of exposed concrete and exposed brick.
The Computer Centre, a two-storey structure, utilises a dual-entry system, one at the end of the elevated walkway network, and the other at the opposite side towards a vehicular drop-off. The plan consists of a large computer space in the centre, with research spaces distributed around the perimeter. Stilted areas mark the entries, while the strong form of the staircase and its skylight contribute to its image.
The earliest structures to be built on the campus, because of the ease of construction, the workshops are essentially large-span steel structures with northlight trusses and built-up purlins. The splayed end walls in exposed brick provide additional light from either side.
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Achyut Kanvinde might not actually be the very first architect of India. The evolution of architecture in India is going on for ages when many famous ancient buildings came into being. However, if we talk about the first Indian Architect it has to be from the post-independence era when India actually became India.
After Achyut Kanvinde, as an Architect, returned to India, he joined the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). There, he got involved in designing research laboratories across the Country. He also got awarded with Padma Shri, the most prestigious civilian award of India, in 1974. In 1976, he became the President of the Indian Institute of Architects and was awarded a Gold medal in 1985.
Kanvide, an Architect, and his partner Shaukat Rai, a civil engineer started their own practice. Their firm was named Kanvinde & Rai. Achyut Kanvinde with his brilliance in the field of architecture started designing buildings. Shaukat Rai, with expertise in project execution and management, overlooked the construction. Together, they became a perfect combination in the field of Architecture in post-independent India. The firm was later renamed Kanvinde, Rai & Chowdhury when Morad Chowdhury became a partner in the Firm in 1969.
The Bauhaus style came to India through few Architects like Kanvine and Charles Corres who traveled to the US for their studies. Achyut Kanvinde was one of them. Also, most of the buildings designed by Kanvinde shout out Bauhaus Style. In an interview, he also mentioned that these buildings helped him establish the International style in India.
With international ideas in mind, Achyut Kanvinde Architect designed many buildings while keeping the Vernacular Architecture alive, just like Revathi Kamath. To learn how he shaped modern India, we will also now go through some of his prominent works.
The Iskcon Temple Delhi Architecture is very much different than the other temples. Achyut Kanvinde was very much against symmetry, which is quite visible in this temple design. Also, the temple has three Shikharas, all of which face different angles. It gives the temple a very unique form. Traditionally, the temples should face the East. However, this one faces in the West direction. The direction makes the perfect use of the entrance and the pathways that lead to the temple on the hills. He also gave importance to natural light in this temple. Kanvinde gave a new definition to Temple Architecture in India.
The IIT Kanpur Campus reflects the cultural diversity of India and is one of the oldest IIT campuses. Moreover, the campus has been beautifully designed and merges with the natural environment. The main focus of the campus is the central pedestrian island. The island is surrounded by lush greenery and a huge water body.
This office building by Achyut Kanvinde is a modern tribute to vernacular architecture. The building also has the features of the Bauhaus movement. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon inspired the stacked cantilevered compartments, with lush green pockets in balconies.
This residential project by Achyut Kanvinde is a perfect example of his idea of forms and space. The separate exterior masses also clearly depict the internal functioning of the building, with exposed circulation spaces.
This exemplary building gave a completely new look to the cityscape of New Delhi. The vertical volumes rising gradually also make the building very appealing. One of the most iconic features is its grand steps at the entrance.
Skylights are the dominant feature of this design, It can also be seen in many other Achyut Kanvinde works. The building serves many functions and accommodates a library, workshops, an observatory, and lecture halls.
After looking at some of his works we can find that all the buildings by Achyut Kanvinde are very distinctive. Moreover, all the buildings were designed as per the function of the building. It made them highly efficient and practically feasible. ISKCON Temple Delhi Architect, Kanvinde believed that building image should set the mood as per the function of the building.
Achyut Kanvinde became a prominent architect Indian history of architecture and designed until he left the World in 2002. He is a true inspiration for the architects of today, with his unique thinking and style.
This is so informative with the proper description of the great architect excites to read more n more. The language is very soothing and simple yet covered everything needed. Would really love to read in the same format.
Transition spaces are said to be the first noticeable spaces in any building. These spaces may be the entrance foyers, courtyards, atriums, podiums, etc. Such spaces have dominance over the comprehensive architecture of the building. These spaces could be ornamented but also serve certain useful purposes in the building. Transition spaces are both indoor, outdoor, and/or semi-open. Such spaces have been described to boost educational and learning surroundings in campuses, as mentioned in renowned books like Campus Design in India by Ar. Achyut Kanvinde. One such trending example of learning & working in transition spaces is at the Bocconi University in Milan designed by SANAA.
The campus has volumes of structures that are free-flowing curves in facades cladded with perforated white screens. Not just the facade but the plan form is also a play of curves, both on-site and building levels. A central courtyard is designed in each fluid-shaped block which is a typical feature of Milanese architecture. Even the interiors have been designed to match the curve features from the facade and design forms. The whole campus is infused with a singular homogenous character whilst creating an identity for each of the individual courtyards between each volume.
The campus design by SANAA has taken measures for energy saving and low consumption by incorporating features such as rooftop solar panels, rainwater recycling systems, insulated walls, etc. All the buildings on campus are medium-high so as to minimize disruption to the flow of air around the campus. The walls are translucent in nature to maximize naturally lit interiors. All floors are surrounded by balconies running along the perimeter which are then flushed with a facade of perforated metal.
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