Saving the modernist architecture of Louis Kahn’s IIM Ahmedabad dormitories
Saving the modernist architecture of Louis Kahn’s IIM Ahmedabad dormitories
Noor Dasmesh Singh (architect, urbanist and principal of award-winning NOOR Architects Consultants based in Chandigarh, India) discusses the threat posed to the dormitories at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Louis Kahn’s modernist architecture
Louis Kahn was invited to design IIM-A in 1962
As a World Heritage preservation controversy brews, the administration at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad (IIM-A), just a short time ago, was set to proceed with its plans to raze 14 out of the 18 dormitories in Louis Kahn’s modernist architecture complex for the Indian school. A row kicked off as the design community and citizens initiated a campaign against the decision of the management. It got support from global organisations and individuals including Pritzker Prize laureates, the Council
In the wake of the recent controversy erupting around the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad putting up an Expression of Interest (EoI) for rebuilding some of the dormitories designed by Louis Kahn, the business school s board of governors (BoG) is now looking to re-evaluate its options. Writing to stakeholders of IIM Ahmedabad, the Chairman and the board of governors have said that will deliberate on the feedback received, re-evaluate the options, consult the best global conservation and structural experts, and chart out a course of action . We are sensitive to the feedback from some stakeholders who are not in agreement with this approach. We are therefore withdrawing the Expression of Interest that was put out, the IIM-A board s letter stated.
Asked how long would the IIM-A wait before going back to the restoration plan, D’Souza said, “We would wait and continue trying for at least two-three years. After which you have to admit the failure and take this as a last call. Though it would be a pathetic call to make.”
Curtis, in two letters to D’Souza, dated December 17 and December 20, which he shared with The Indian Express on Monday, suggested that “some or all of these dorms can serve other purposes in the life of the institution”.
Expressing “shock and dismay” over the plans to replace 18 dorms with new buildings, Kahn’s children wrote, “the buildings in question are the heart of our father’s universally acknowledged masterpiece at IIMA”. They also asked D’Souza to engage with them “at this critical time”.
Louis Kahn s children among many urge Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad to preserve architect s legacy
ByNiyati RanaNiyati Rana / Updated: Dec 28, 2020, 07:17 IST
Kahn’s children urge B-school to preserve father’s legacy
Concerns and criticism mount over
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad’s decision to raze 14 of the 18 dormitories designed by
Louis Kahn, one of the most influential architects of 20th century, to build new dorms. Now, Kahn’s three children and renowned architect and Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate Balkrishna Doshi have objected to the controversial decision that will rob IIMA of the pride it treasures in its heart.
Several architects, critics, artists and alumni came forward to strongly oppose the institute’s decision as they learnt of its Expression of Interest to invite firms to “create student housing using the existing footprints (land parcel) of these dormitory buildings.” Architect Kahn’s children Sue
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