The document summarizes the architectural documentation of Vivekanandar Illam, a historical building in Chennai, India. It thanks those involved in the documentation process and provides background information on the building. Originally constructed in 1842 as an ice house, it was later renovated and hosted Swami Vivekananda. The documentation describes the building's design evolution, floor plans, sections, architectural details, construction techniques, and includes historical information and photographs.

2. Acknowledgement Index
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of Vivekanandar Illam for having given us
the permission to document their building and for supporting and guiding us throughout the
documentation process.
We would also like to extend our thanks to Ar. Kamalakannan and Ar. Karthick, faculty of School of
Architecture and Interior Design, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, for their invaluable
guidance that enabled us in the completion of this project.
Our thanks to Ar. Geeva Chandana, faculty of School of Architecture and Interior Design, SRM Insti-
tute of Science and Technology, for her guidance and support.
Sampoorna Venkatesh- 004
Hrudai Yalamarty- 054
Jeffy Thomas George- 020
Harshita Ramnath- 009

3. About Vivekanandar Illam
Vivekanandar Illam, earlier known as Ice House or
CastleKernan,isahistoricalbuildinginChennai,India.
It was constructed in 1842 by Frederic Tu-
dor. Indian Saint Swami Vivekananda stayed
in the building when he visited Chennai in
1897, and it was later renamed in his honor.
Now, this historic place houses a technological,
smart museum called “Experience Vivekanan-
da” on Indian Culture, Swami Vivekananda’s
Life and his message using latest trends like Vir-
tual and Augmented Reality, modern 3D/4D ef-
fects and advanced Son et Lumiere elements.
Currently, Vivekananda House is maintained by Sri
Ramakrishna Math, Chennai and it’s a source of in-
spiration to thousands of Indian and International vis-
itors who visit it every year.
Location: Kamarajar salai, Triplicane, Chennai
Building Typology: Institutional
Year of Construction: 1842 (179 years)
Architect: Frederic Tudor
Area: 8000 sq feet
General Information Site Plan
The 37,500 square feet site is located in Ka-
marajar Salai, Chennai facing the Marina
Beach.
The 50’ Kamarajar Salai road is abutting the
site and is the only road of access to the site.
At present the site consists of three buildings-
the Vivekanandar Illam, the Cultural Centre
and an outhouse.
Legend:
1. Vivekanandar Illam
2. Cultural Center
3. Outhouse
2013- Before the Cultural
Centre was constructed
2014- After the Cultural
Centre was constructed
1
Scale: 1:750

4. History
1842
1880
1897 1963
Frederic Tudor constructed the
building facing the Bay of Ben-
gal as a facility to store ice.
Building was sold to Biligiri Iyengar,
an advocate in the Madras High
Court. The house was remodeled
and called Castle Kernan.
When Swami Vivekananda visited
Madras he stayed in the building
between 6 and 15 February 1897.
Later, Ramakrishna Math func-
tioned from the building till 1906.
The building was acquired by the
Government of Madras and func-
tioned as a women’s hostel and
training school for children.
On the birth Centenary of Swami
Vivekananda, the Government of
Tamil Nadu renamed the building
as ‘Vivekanandar Illam’ and it hous-
es an exhibition on the life of Swami
Vivekananda.
1914
2

5. 1880: The building was sold to Biligiri Iyengar who made alterations to the existing design- he added
extended semi-circular corridors and verandahs around the circular core.
He also added the tall, arched windows on the facade of the building and the single-storeyed porch
facing the North.
The circular core was divided into two storeys- thus making the entire building a four-storeyed struc-
ture.
The entire building was designed in the Victorian style of architecture. Typical features of this style that
can be seen in this building are-
Single-storeyed porch Arched windows Decorative trim
Evolution of Architecture Stye- Vivekanandar Illam
Evolution of Architecture Stye- Ice House
The building is a primary example of ‘adaptive reuse in design’.
1842: Frederic Tudor built the Ice House- designed on a linear plan with a circular storage tower of 40
feet height as its core.
A square building was attached to this tall, cylindrical structure.
The walls of the cylindrical core have a thickness of 1.3 m to preserve the ice for long periods of time.
One of the earliest photographs of Frederic Tudor’s Ice House
Decorative Trim and
Arched Windows
Single Storey Porch
3

6. Ground Floor Plan
The ice was stored in the circular room in the lowermost
level of the building.
The East facing entrance to the Ice House gave direct
access to the ice storage which was a double-storey
structure.
After the first renovation by Biligiri Iyengar, the entrance to
the building (Castle Kernan) was shifted to face North and
situated 1.9 metres above ground level.
The ice storage which had become a part of the basement
of Castle Kernan was left untouched by Biligiri.
The walls of the Ice Storage are made from mud and have
a thickness of 1.3 m to preserve the ice in sub-zero tempera-
tures.
The steps leading to the ground floor from the basement
are skewed and don’t follow conventional angles.
Ice House
Additions by Biligiri Iyengar
Additions after renovation
4
Scale: 1:200
Evolution of the Floor Plan
Floor Plans
Detail A
Detail D
Detail F
Detail E

7. Ice House
Additions by Biligiri Iyengar
Additions after renovation
Mezzanine Floor Plan
Evolution of the Floor Plan
Scale: 1:200
In Tudor’s Ice House, there was no direct access to the ice
storage on this level.
The ice was therefore stored through openings provided
right above the floor level.
These openings or vents were closed at all times except
when the ice was being piled in so as to maintain the tem-
perature of the space.
After the first renovation by Biligiri Iyengar, a level was add-
ed to the circular core.
Biligiri designed the semi-circular steps leading up to this
level which ran along the semi-circular corridor.
The openings were retained and can be seen even today.
This floor became a hall in Biligiri Iyengar’s residence.
Detail A
5

8. Additions by Biligiri Iyengar
Additions after renovation
First Floor Plan
Scale: 1:200
The first floor was also added by Biligiri Iyengar.
This floor consists of the meditation hall in which Swami
Vivekananda stayed during the six days he spent in
Chennai in 1897.
The Meditation Hall is a circular, double-storey enclosed
by the dome of the building.
A floor was added in between the mezzanine and first floor,
creating a level difference.
This floor in between currently consists of a mini theatre
where 3D shows on the life of Swami Vivekananda are
screened.
The first floor can also be accessed directly through an
external staircase along the Southern side of Vivekanan-
dar Illam.
Evolution of the Floor Plan
Detail B
6

9. Second Floor Plan
The second floor is also an addition by Biligiri Iyengar.
The outer, semi-circular corridor was made into an open
terrace on this level to capture views of the Marina beach
and to bring in the sea breeze more efficiently.
This floor can also be accessed through the external stair-
case like the first floor is. Additions by Biligiri Iyengar
7
Evolution of the Floor Plan
Scale: 1:200
Detail C

10. North Elevation
Scale: NTS
East Elevation
8
Scale: NTS
This side forms the facade of the building. The tall arched windows along this side not only add to the
aesthetic of the building but also bring in the sea-breeze, thus naturally ventilating the space.
Elevations
The main entrance to the building is situated on this side, facing the entry through which Swami
Vivekananda first entered the compound of Castle Kernan. The single-storey porch above the en-
trance adds to the grandeur of the building.

11. Section AA’
Scale: 1:200
Section BB’
9
Scale: 1:200
The section shows the ice-storage room and the level difference between it and the ground floor
which is raised 1.9 m above ground level. It also shows the double-storey high meditation hall and the
dome enclosing it.
In this section, the basement of the building can be seen along with the ice storage, thus indicating
the level difference between the two spaces. The level difference created between the mezzanine
floor corridor and the hall inside can also be seen.
Sections

12. Design Elements
10
Ground Floor Window- Detail A
Plan Plan View
First Floor Window- Detail B
Elevation Elevation
Scale: 1:30
Scale: 1:30

13. Mezzanine & First Floor
Window Section Scale: 1:60
Plan
Elevation
Section
Second Floor Window- Detail C
View
11
Scale: 1:30

14. Main Entrance Door- Detail D
Section
Plan Scale: 1:30
Elevation
12
Basement Door Opening- Detail E
Elevation
Views

15. Exterior Column- Detail F
Sketch
Elevation Sketch
Plan
Interior Column- Detail
13
Scale: 1:30 Scale: 1:15

16. Semi Circular Staircase- Detail
Plan
Section View
14
Scale: 1:60
Scale: 1:60

17. Sketches
Semi Circular Staircase
Semi Circular Corridor
15
Semi Circular Corridor

18. Views
Construction Analysis
Madras Terrace roofing is done for the ceiling.
Wooden beams are used to cover the span.
Over the wooden beams, wooden rafters are placed 45-60cms apart.
The gaps between are filled with bricks laid with lime plaster.
Above the rafters, indigenous bricks called aachikal are laid in a diagonal fashion with lime plaster.
Sketch
Scale: 1:10
Madras Terrace Roof
Detail
16

19. Material Analysis
The building is a brick masonry structure with lime
plastering
The exterior columns are made up of stone
and lime plaster.
The interior columns in the basement are
made of wood.
The lower floors are made up of stone tiles and the
upper floors are made of wood.
The staircases are made of stone.
17

20. Renders
Isometric View of Site View from Kamarajar Salai
18

21. View of entrance and porch View from the entry gate
19

22. Documentation Photos
Exterior Photos
Kamarajar Salai Road
View of the beach
Porch Main Entrance to the building
Main entrance to Vivekanandar Illam
Entry to site
20
Entry to site Main Entrance to Vivekanandar Illam

23. Detail- exterior column Entry doorway to Vivekanandar
Illam
The First Temple by
Sri Ramakrishna Math
Interior Photos
Column Detail Entry Door The First Temple
21
Hall- First Floor Hall- Mezzanine Floor

24. Interior Photos
Hall- Basement Entry to basement Shrine
Ice Storage
22
Semi Circular Corridor Arched Window

25. Thank You