Recently, my former boss Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi gave a lecture about the IIM-Bangalore campus, conveniently, at the IIM-Bangalore campus. I have tremendous respect for this old timer. He's an incredible architect, and this project is one of the most memorable pieces of architecture I have ever gotten to experiences in person. He's also a gent, a vast deviation from the boss previous. But take a look.
Back during Diwali of 2013, I went with Reshma, Stalker, and Phil to see this project in Bangalore. Casual visitation is nonexistent; supposedly the place gets a lot of bomb threats. It's locked down. In order to enter, I needed a letter from Sangath (which I naturally forgot to arrange). So I instead pretended like I had no idea that people couldn't just walk onto the campus. Whaa? I was shocked to say the least when I was told that people couldn't. But after a lot of patience, politeness and the whipping out of the VSC card, they began to soften.
With additional scrutiny placed upon the always suspicious Reshma, we were eventually allowed inside with a security guard escort in tow. Although we weren't allowed everywhere, the gist was well-received.
The campus reflects the green quality of Bangalore, also known as the Garden City. The external voids and how these voids relate and connect to their corresponding solids is a primary focus. Academic programs are connected by and accessed through spines of 3-story corridors, modulating in width and alternating in openness by the use of pergolas and skylights. Green and gray comprises the color palette.
The first thing we came across was the campus water tower, which is much cooler than the Jackson water tower.
Faculty housing if I recall.
The exterior of the primary corridor.
Along the primary corridor, the stairway to the library breaks grid at a 45° angle, pushing variation into the linear passage.
With classroom and administrative blocks connected by these open-air corridors, courtyards are naturally formed yielding additional provisions for plantation.
One of the most important elements of any Doshi project: light, both direct and indirect.
I recommend. But keep in mind, it's really difficult to get in. So make a plan beyond the dumb foreigner card.
