AR. Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi

AR.
BALKRISHNA
VITHALDAS
DOSHI
BALKRISHNA VITHALDAS DOSHI was

born in the year 1927 in Pune.
He is a teacher, speaker, an architect- a
man who has worn several hats.
He did his bachelors from J.J. SCHOOL OF
ARCHITECTURE, BOMBAY, 1950.
Pioneering in the low cost housing , he has led

the evolution of contemporary Indian
architecture. He applies the modernist concept
to the Indian context ,he has developed the
theory of the city .
As a result his work is a visual feast of diverse
mediums , dimensions and textures.
Philosophies
According to him architecture of a building is conceived
not as a container of specific activities but a place to be
inhabited, as place to facilitate the course of human
environment.
His work has consistently revolved around the
interrelationship of indoor and outdoor spaces , an
appropriate and honest approach to materials, proper
climatic response and observance of hierarchy and order
that has been always present in the best modern
architecture.
It is this so called filter of contemporary and traditional

architecture which he masterfully brought in.
The success of any project depends on effective
construction, logistic planning and coordination.
The main part of the philosophy is the construction of
scale models and the full scale mock-up's to make
decisions jointly with the client about the building.
ARANYA LOW COST HOUSING

-Indore(19831986)
It is located 6 kms from the centre of Indore on Agra
Bombay highway.
B.V. Doshi was commissioned by the Indore development
authority to provide housing for the economically weaker
sector.
He actually integrated some upper come units to subsidize
the lower cost units.
The target population was 40,000 on a 80 hectare site
incorporating 6500 plots ranging from 35-475 sq.mts.
Out of this 65% was for the very poor, 11% for the lower
income,14% for middle income group , 9% for high income
group.
The Aranya housing scheme divided as 58% residential,

23.5% pedestrian and vehicular access roads , 7% open
space and 8% shared community.
He divided the site with the north- south spine where the
main amenities are clustered, feeding 3 zones of housing
on each side.
Houses are clustered in group of 10.
Water is drawn from 3 local reservoirs and a septic tank is
provided for every cluster or 20 houses.
The outer periphery consist units for H.I.G and most weaker
section is inside.
Each house provided with an OTTA- an outdoor platform.
Brick, stone, and concrete are available locally, but owners
are free to use any material they choose for house
construction and decoration.
The main street runs at the Centre of plan in zig-zag pattern.
External patios is provided as the spaces for interaction.
Various arrangement done in

plots.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
FASHION TECHNOLOGY
-New Delhi
(1997)
It was a centrally located site of 2.87 acres.

NIFT is surrounded by institutional and residential spaces.
Fashion design demands continuous innovation, for this
changing environment highly visible displays and show
areas are essential.
Doshis concept of surrounding the inner courts with each
of the main blocks of complex with 3-4 stories high gives
the feeling of traditional chowk(courtyard).
Click icon to add picture
SITE PLAN
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
A series of high and low platforms, a

variety of galleries and areas for
formal and casual activities and
direct & indirect display of the
designs implies a series of internal
courtyards and terraces at various
heights.
A glazed walkway of reflective glass
looks down in to the inner
courtyard.
An auditorium in basement occupies
the space directly beneath the
amphitheater on ground floor.
Angle glazed surfaces of the administration block.

Flight of brick steps lead to the courtyard from the main
gate.
The administrative block is located in the foreground of
the complex with library and exhibition area.
First courtyard modified to saucer shaped rainwater store.
Second courtyard modified to informal amphitheatre.
Both courtyard form the central space of institutes and
have glazed corridors around them that allow clear view
of the galleries, the classroom cluster, the admin block,
library and dormitory block.
Central water channel leading

from outside into the heart of
complex.
The centre of the complex
creates a dramatic descent to
the pool with reflective angled
glass multiplying the effect.
HUSAIN-DOSHI GUFA
-Ahmedabad (19921995)
The Gufa is a collaborative effort between B.V Doshi and
the Indian artist M.F (Maqbul Fida) Husain; began as an

Art Gallery for the Exhibition of artists work.
It is located in the campus, of the Centre for environment
planning & technology (CEPT) in Ahmedabad.
This is a combination of high technology and traditional
techniques.
Site Area- 1000 sq.mt.
Built up Area- 280 sq.mt.
Project cost- Rs.1.8 million
The construction of the

Gufa was finally
dependent upon the
knowledge & skill of
builders who had to
translate highly
sophisticated diagrams
into reality.
The references for the
Gufa are elemental. The
circle, mountains,
historical Caves (Karli,
Ajanta), Stupas etc.
PLAN
This structure is in form of

skeletal skin & wire mesh
sandwiched on each side by layers
of cement.
The concrete is then covered with a
compacted layer of vermiculture
followed by mosaic of pieces of
broken china.
White tile reflects the sun rays ,
helps to keep the interior cool.
The structure is specifically oriented to let in the maximum
amount of heat & light to give the interior a golden glow.

To enhance the cave like feeling of gallery, the contours of
the site were retained, rather than being levelled.
The gently undulating surface of the earth can still be
perceived beneath the thin concrete floor slab poured over
it.
The entrance is approached down by a flight of steps in to
the cave like interior.
Some shells consists appeared snouts with apertures , used
to capture fresh air & light.
The central hall is supported by 2 rows of columns which

divide the interior in to a wider Centre .
The columns have octagonal shafts wider at base &
tapered at capital.
The ribs, which spans from column line to column line,
create the vaulted roof of cave.
The snouts seems as skylights to throw light inside.
THANKYOU
-Trupti n.
kunhambu

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AR.

BALKRISHNA VITHALDAS DOSHI was

Pioneering in the low cost housing , he has led

It is this so called filter of contemporary and traditional

ARANYA LOW COST HOUSING

It is located 6 kms from the centre of Indore on Agra

The Aranya housing scheme divided as 58% residential,

Various arrangement done in

It was a centrally located site of 2.87 acres.

Click icon to add picture

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

A series of high and low platforms, a

Angle glazed surfaces of the administration block.

Central water channel leading

The Gufa is a collaborative effort between B.V Doshi and

the Indian artist M.F (Maqbul Fida) Husain; began as an

The construction of the

This structure is in form of

The structure is specifically oriented to let in the maximum

amount of heat & light to give the interior a golden glow.

The central hall is supported by 2 rows of columns which

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