The document describes the architecture of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, designed by architect Louis Kahn. Kahn's design uses exposed red bricks and geometric shapes. It has a fortress-like appearance with exposed brickwork, large openings in walls, and little glass. The complex includes academic blocks, hostels, a library, school building, faculty blocks, dormitories, and Louis Kahn Plaza centered around a courtyard. Kahn emphasized solidity, light and shade, and separating institutional and residential areas.

1. INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
AHMEDABAD
ARCHITECT - LOUIS I. KHAN
KAHN'S ARCHITECTURE IS CHARACTERIZED BY THE USE OF EXPOSED RED
BRICKS, THE EXTENSIVE USE OF GEOMETRIC SHAPES IN HOSTELS AND
ACADEMIC BLOCKS AND VAST CORRIDORS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOMS
DESIGN CONCEPT
• KHAN ALWAYS WANTED TO GIVE A SOLID AND FORMAL LOOK TO HIS BUILDINGS.
• HE WANTED TO CREATE A “FORTRESS IN BRICK’’ IN KEEPING WITH SOME OF THE FOLLOWING
FEATURES:
• EXPOSED BRICKWORK
• LARGE OPENINGS OR VOIDS IN WALLS
• EXPOSED CONCRETE TIES
• VERY LESS USE OF GLASS FOR WINDOWS
• INTERPLAY OF LIGHT AND SHADE IN CORRIDORS
• HIDE ENTRANCES, WINDOW OPENINGS
• DIAGONAL SYSTEM OF PLACING THE BLOCKS TO EMPHASIZE THE BLOCKS.

2. • SEPARATE ENTRIES FOR INSTITUTIONAL AND
RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX.
• SEPARATE SERVICE ENTRY.
• ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN
INTEGRATED WITH STUDENTS AND STAFF LIVING.
• INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING HAS BEEN TAKEN AS
THE FOCAL BUILDING.
• AUDITORIUM IS LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN
ENTRANCE FOR EASY ACCESS FOR VISITORS.
• RESIDENTIAL AREAS HAVE BEEN PLANNED IN
HIERARCHICAL PATTERN.
• THE SCALE AND MASSING GIVES A MONUMENTAL
FEELING OF SPACE.
• CANTEEN AND AUDITORIUM DOES NOT
INTEGRATE WELL DUE TO BEING A LATER
ADDITION.
• SCHOOL BUILDING IS PLANNED AROUND A COURT
• SCHOOL BUILDING AND STUDENTS DORM HAVE
BEEN PLACED DIAGONALLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF WINDS FROM SOUTH-WEST
MAIN ENTRANCE
CLASS ROOM
THE ACADEMIC COMPLEX
COMPRISES OF THE
FOLLOWING:
❏ LIBRARY
❏ SCHOOL BUILDING
❏ FACULTY BLOCKS
❏ DORMITORIES
❏ LOUIS KAHN PLAZA
LOUIS KHAN PLAZA
• MATERIAL USED
• BRICK HAS BEEN USED AS PRIMARY BUILDING MATERIAL
FOR THE ENTIRE COMPLEX, WALLS AND COLUMNS.
• BRICK ARCHES HAVE BEEN USED FOR WIDE SPANS.
• USE OF CONCRETE HAS BEEN RESTRICTED TO
FOUNDATIONS, FLOOR SLABS, AND TIES FOR ARCHED
OPENINGS.