FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION? This is a question that we in our

professional practise always come across. In our opinion most of the time it does. As illustrated in some of the examples in the slides, particularly for functional buildings like banks. However sometimes it is the other way. In the example of SKVM, where the concept revolved around the iconic form of India House, or a very striking dynamic form for MEGA Bhavan.

The key is I think in balancing both as sometimes we want a particular form, but it may have to be suitably modified to suit a particular function.

HIREN A. GANDHI (0470) AJIT PANDEY (1170)

BANK OF BARODA AHMEDABAD

The zonal office of BOB was to be located within the plot having staff training centre.

After leaving the required margins as per by-laws the space left was very less and it had large neem tree which was decided to save by us, as a result of which the glazing at the entries were curved.

NIGHT VIEW OF THE BUILDING

SITE PLAN

•The building required two entry points one for the specialized branch and second for the regional office.

•The peculiar shape dictated the location of services such as toilets, AHU room in the stepped portion.

LAW GARDEN

AA’

•The building is G + 9 floors out of which upper two floors are for top executives residences and a guest house. The rest floors are for Bank’s Offices.•VRV system was provided for Air- Conditioning which also resulted in lot of energy saving. BMS was provided integrating all services such as A.C. Lifts, fire, etc.

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VIEW FROM 8TH FLOOR

LOUNGE

STAFF WORKING CUBICALS

8TH FLOOR PLAN N

DINNING AREA CONFERENCE ROOM

RECEPTION PERSONNEL CUBICALS

GSC Bank, Ahmedabad

The apex co-operative bank is located on an extremely linear plot with primarily three blocks.

“Block-A” , “Block-B” and “Block-C”. The aluminum screens were deployed to cut the glare of the sun and provide shed.

The brief from the bank was to have the bank building housing core functioning of bank, farmers’ hostel & amenities such as canteen, sports hall and an auditorium.

It was conscious decision to go for a mid rise block rather than a multistoried building and to spread the building horizontally.

The common amenities such as canteen, auditorium are located in between the two building. i.e., banking and farmers’ hostel so that both can use them.

GREEN PATCH

Inter Connectivity of AREAS

Schematic Diagram

GREEN PATCHBanking Area & Executive Area

Canteen, Sports Room,

Auditorium

Farmers’ Hostel Rooms &

VIP Rooms

BANK HOUSE

COMMON AMENITIES

FARMERS’ HOSTEL

The Site has access from both the sides as per shown in the plan.A thick buffer is provided with green patch on both the sides. After that the the building is divided into 3 parts. And the interconnectivity is such that common aminities can be used by both the blocks( Block – ‘A’ & Block – ‘C’ ).

N

Plans

N

G.F. Plan

F.F. Plan

Longitudinal Section

G.F. Plan N

View Of Bank Entry - 2

View Of Bank Entry - 3View Of Bank Entry - 1

Atrium view

View of Double Height Entrance

Entry of the Bank

Waiting Area

View of Entrance Double HeightView of Passage over Entrance

View of Hostel Passage

Auditorium

View of Hostel Passage

View of Hostel Block Double Heights

Work Station Conference Room

Farmers’ HostelDinning Area

NABARD, AhmedabadIt is an old site with lot of restrictions of margin and common plot.

Programme required various offices for National bank for Agricultureand Rural Development with DGM office.

The plot overlooks Usmanpura Garden & the building responds to the same with a small garden at DGM floor.

Site Plan

Site Plan with Parking

Usmanpura Garden

18.28 m wide t.p. road

15.24 m w

ide t.p. road

G.F. PlanA

A’

PlansF.F. Plan

S.F. Plan T.F. Plan

Terrace Garden

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Section - AA’

Building Overlooking the Usmanpura Garden

Side View

View from Usmanpura Garden - 1

View from Usmanpura Garden - 2

GANDHIDHAM MERCANTILE CO-OP. BANK

• The brief was to represent the progressive image of the town of Gandhidham.

•Since it falls within a significant seismic zone in Kutch, the design had to follow stringent bye laws and codes . In fact, the skeleton of the building was complete when the devastating earthquake of 2001 struck. It was the one of the few buildings on the street that survived, with practically no damage. However, as an additional precaution, such as adding ties to the columns were incorporated into the existing structure.

•The inspiration behind the design is the beautiful traditional forms of Kutchi structures, though it also confidently embodies the progressive and cosmopolitan image required in the brief.

•The curvilinear north façade subtly evokes the traditional “Bhunga” huts of Kutch, while its north facing glass wall is shaded by a pergola above, which also protects the entrance from the harsh sun and lends a soft indirect filtered light, creating patterns on the floor.

• A fountain in the front helps create a cool feel at the entrance. Inclined aluminum fins on the west façade help reduce the harsh sunlight and catch the southwest breezes.

•This unconventional bank building is built on a rectangular plot of 800 sq.mt. with the main road running along one side of the plot.

NPARKING PLAN GROUND FLOOR

PLAN

SECTION A-A’

A A’

•The building has suitably imposing feel, reinforced by a banking hall sited at a raised level, with a mezzanine floor. •The executive wing and conference hall are located at ground level, while utilities and parking are provided at the basement.

•Exposed trusses have been honestly incorporated into the interior design. •The interiors have touches of bright earthy color, while typical kutchi folk elements like the triangular motif have been incorporated in glass etchings and in the floor as inlays.• The air-conditioning ducts have been kept exposed and are painted brightly to contrast with the exposed concrete ceiling, a very contemporary note.• The curvilinear form of the north wall is echoed in the furniture. The motif of the triangle, is used as a linking pattern throughout the interior.

KEY ELEMENTS -

CONFERENCE ROOM

RECEPTION COUNTERS & WAITING

STAFF WORKING CUBICALS

Syndicate Bank , Vadodara

Bank building was proposed on the prime locality in Alkapuri in Baroda.

It had to house officers’ flats above & bank on the Ground floor.

Stilt area was provided & G.F. + 3 structure was planned.

The G.F. level housed bank’s branch while the upper floor had flats with each floor having a small terrace.

Vertical fins were provided to shed the windows on front side road for privacy.

View From Road

Plans

G.F. Plan

Key Plan

Plans

F.F. Plan

Key Plan

Plans

S.F. Plan

Key Plan

Plans

T.F. Plan

Key Plan

Section

Section Reference

Voids to get natural light into the central areas of the bank

Exterior View

View Showing Terraces and Louvers as Shading Elements

B.D.C.C. BANK, PALANPUR

SITE PLAN

The plot on the Palanpur district highway is extremely narrow due to building control line . A very and long building is only possible to construct. The area to be built upon is wider at the other end.

•Services were incorporated at the narrow and living wider side for functions like conference rooms, etc. D.G.U. are used all throughout to cut the sound & reduce the heat.

GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

A

A’

N

SECTION A-A’

A

A’

BHARUCH DISTRICT CENTRAL CO-OP BANK

•The building is planned near Bharuch station on a plot longer in North South Direction.•The requirement for public interface areas was larger than the other administrative & executive functions.

•A stepped building form was evolved with terraces on each floor & solar panels accommodated on the roof shed over terraces.

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GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR THIRD FLOOR

A

A’SECTION A-A’

G.S.P.C. GANDHINAGAR

GSPC is amongst the brightest and most successful Govt. corporations in Gujarat. Their brief for a multistory building would reflect and project progressive corporate ethos in modern idiom.The site is rectangular – 60 m* 30 m, has 20 mt. road on north and 25 mt. road on east side. It is typical urban plot devoid of any natural or topographical feature.Conceptually the overall building form, its orientation, size, type and extent of fenestrations, locations of constituent elements take into account the hot and dry climate.This results in very few openings on West, North dacade is fully Structural glazed to draw maximum natural, glare free north light; stepped south façade is specially articulated with pronounced ledges to receive solar photo voltaic panels as south, south east is most appropriate for harnessing solar power. Each façade is

different than the other responding to a set of relevant applicable factors.

GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR THIRD FLOORThis results in very few openings on West, North facade is fully Structural glazed to draw maximum natural, glare free north light; stepped south façade is specially articulated with pronounced ledges to receive solar photo voltaic panels as south, south east is most appropriate for harnessing solar power. Each façade is different than the other responding to a set of relevant applicable factors.From podium one reaches the atrium which provides a unique visual delight where on one side floors are cantilevered into the atrium space forming interesting honey combing type massing of boxes; A capsule lift is tucked in one corner, as its base reception desk is located with plants in background.

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FOURTH FLOOR

SECTION AA’

View of Stepped Glazing

View of Volumes Created Inside

A A’

View From Inside View of staggered cubical forms

Kranti Tirth, Mandvi

The present India House, houses Library and Audio Visual room on Ground floor & picture gallery on the upper floor. A lift has been incorporated in the plan to make convenient for visitors.

Also a ramp has been provided for convenience of physically challenged.

The external elevation features the overall proportion of the India House.

Picture Gallery

Library

The India House built in the Shyamji Varma memorial complex, Mandvi is modeled on the pattern of original India House 65, Cromwell avenue was a detached Victorian house built in 1865 as part of the Winchester Hall Estate development.

View of India House

The site is 500 mt. away from the sea shore & is a rectangular piece of Land.

Ample visitors’ parking space is provided near the entrance.

From here one enters the mashal court which is void within a circular mound.

It has cascading water fountain on its circular walls. Fromm here on the journey continues through semi-shaded pergola walkway with India house at the end of the axis. Night View towards Sea from India House

View from Entrance towards INDIA HOUSE

There is a provision of ramp for convenience of physically challenged.

The external elevation features the overall proportion of the India House have been by and large replicated.

All the front balconies are having the direct view of the sea through the axis.

The statue of Shyamji Krushna Varma is placed in the courtyard in front of the INDIA House.

Site Plan

G.F. PlanIndia House at Smarak

Exhibition Area

View Of AmphitheatreAmphitheatre, cafeteria and Shops Plan

Details of the Exhibition

The complex also houses an exhibition on life & times of Shyamji Krishna Varma.

Common amenities such as cafeteria, souvenir shops, Amphitheater, children play area, senior citizens’ corner are added for convenience of the visitors.

Pargolas are added as a climatic element over long passages and at the Mashal Court, which enhances the beauty by creating interesting shadows.

Exhibition Area

View from Covered Passage

MASHAL Court

Cultural programmes and exhibitions are held on the occasion of Republic Day and Independence day, to create awareness.

Asthi Kumbh

Swami Vivekanand Pavilion

View Inside India House View Inside India House

View Of MASHAL Court at night

View Of India House From Courtyard at night

Exhibition Area

View from Parking

MEGA BHAVAN

To GandhinagarTo Ahmedabad

Indroda Depot

MEGA BHAVAN

MEGA BHAVAN

MEGA BHAVAN

THANK YOU