2. • National Institute of Design was established in
Ahmedabad in1961by the Government of as an
autonomous national institution for advanced training,
research and service in product design, visual
communication, architecture, structure planning and
allied fields.
Area:
63,848 sq.m
Architect:
Giraben Sarabhai &
Charle Eames
Overview
3. • National Institute of Design
(NID) is a design school in
Paldi, Ahmedabad ,Gujarat .
• Area of the site: 20 acres approx.
• The site is located along the
Sabarmati River. The site
measures about 20 acres. In its
surrounding is the Tagore hall,
the kite museum and opposite
to the site is Diwan Ballabhai
high school.
• Main Access of the site is from
the main road.
LOCATION
4.
Site plan
National Institute of
Design
It is an autonomous
institution under the
aegis of the Ministry
of Commerce and
Industry.
MASSING OF SITE
PLAN
MAIN BUILDING-15000 sq.m
RESIDENTIAL ZONE-34770 sq.m
EDUCATIONAL ZONE-29078sq.m
SERVICES-1985sq.m
RECREATION
HOSTEL-7174sq.m
STAFF QTRS
SECURITY/ OFFICE
PARKING
ENTRY-3 nos.
residential
2400 sqm
administration
400 sqm
academic block
4200 sqm
SCALE
Main building
Residential
zone
educational
zone
QUANTITY
SITE AREA: 63,848 sq.m
TOTAL BUILT-UP AREA: 27,488 sq.m
FSI: 0.4
N
ZONING
5. SitePlanning
• The whole campus can be distinctively
divided into two major zones –
Institutional &Residential. The main block
which consists both the academic and
administration departments is placed on
the eastern part facing the river. Sports
facilities are in between the two blocks.
7. Internalzoning
• The courtyards,
functionally conceived
as open spaces to
segregate between
two diverse
functions of
'seminar rooms' or
'classrooms' and
'workshops' or
'laboratories' due to
noise and structural
reasons; spatially
created light wells
for the dark ground
spaces.
• The north-south
orientation of the
studios gives more
light and cuts off
the glare.
8. • Emphasis has been given on the
pedestrian movement of the site.
• Vehicular movement is restricted
only till the entrance for the visitors.
But it is possible from residential
areas to academic block and vice-
versa.
• Besides, service entries are provided
for the various workshops.
• Horizontal circulation: The
movement pattern develops on the
ground floor through the court like
spaces that developed under the
structural grid.
• One is made to experience the
receding columns in perspective on
the way to canteen. The main
circulation on the first & second
floors is through a long and narrow
passage at the centre. The passage is
single height narrow linear space.
Circulation
12. • It is by triple height staircase marked with
platforms at different levels which gives a
very impactful experience. One of its major
functions is to formalize the entry to
auditorium on the second floor. The
second staircase has been placed in the
rear most court, which is used as
secondary preference to the triple height
staircase. Spiral stairs have been provided
as a means of connecting workshop to
the studios. The semi opened space
around the canopied roof of the double
staircase is an excellent activity area where
the students interact, relax and has some
major source of exchange of ideas.
Vertical Circulation
13. • Grid planning: The plan of NID signifies
varied spatial experiences with different
'spatial types' such as the pen courtyard
with thorough way, the raised platform
type, the colonnade type facing the
green spaces, the multiple entrances, the
formal entrance court with the brick
shell, and lastly the grid which holds the
whole composition together.
• The plan displays magnificent
interconnections and spatial non-
hierarchy with the openness of the
organization. The complex modulations
with partition walls, created maze with
diverse experiences. This openness of
the plan symbolizes the expression -
'free plan'.
• Another interesting juxtaposition is the
location of an old monument, used as
backdrop for amphitheatre, in close
vicinity to the main building. The
existence of old and the new, creates
dynamic
compositional balance.
Structuredetails
14. •As soon as the built form is placed on site it
generates its own space in and around it.
Thus the outside open spaces are as much
important a design criteria as inner
• Lawns are used for informal gathering,
cultural program, etc.
•The campus has been completely
landscaped. Three platforms extend from
the institute building in the lawn acting as
built-in sit outs.
•There is also an ancient monument and
open air amphitheatre having densely
planted trees around it.
•Amphitheatre is also used for social
functions, fashion shows, etc.
• Lawns are not only a feature of landscape
but they act as interactive spaces.
LANDSCAPE
15. • Precast concrete is a construction
product produced by casting
concrete in a reusable mold or
"form" which is then cured in a
controlled environment, transported
to the construction site and lifted
into place.
• Precast concrete production is
performed on ground level, which
helps with safety throughout a
project. There is greater control over
material quality and workmanship in
a precast plant compared to a
construction site. The forms used in
a precast plant can be reused
hundreds to thousands of times
before they have to be replaced,
often making it cheaper than onsite
casting when looking at the cost per
unit of formwork.
Construction
Technology
16. Materials
• Precast RCC shells are designed
to carry machine loads of
1000kg/sq. metre (including
impact).
• The first few shells were of
reinforced reinforced cement
concrete, but the next step was to
develop them of reinforced brick
with an RCC band at the edges.
• In the third stage, the entire shell
was made of reinforced brick. The
final stage of the development was
the design of a brick shell without
any reinforcement at all.
• Flooring consists of squares of
two module length, cast in situ
cement (patent stone).
17. • The campus has been designed taking into
consideration the hot and dry climate of
Ahmedabad. The activities are so planned that they
spill over into inward looking spaces.
• The courtyards remain in the shadow for most part of
the day. To allow the inflow of light into the
workshops, sliding panels have been installed which
run from the height of the skirting to about 10’ from
the floor level.
• Pockets of vegetation blend with the structure on the
exterior as well as interior. Large trees protect the
building from surface glazing and courtyards from
excessive heating.
• The external cladding is prefabricated
and consists of heat resisting glass in
metal frames in workshops and in
rosewood frame in studios.
• Winds from the riverside are captured in
the studios and workshops from the
terraces due to adjustable glazing.
Features like water bodies with jallis are
used to filter the cooled air flowing over the
water and passed in interiors.
LightingandVentilation
18. Services
• A channel, 5 cm. wide, is maintained between these squares. Under-floor
electric wiring is laid in these channels and filled with ma9S concrete.
Changes in machinery layout can be made at any time by simply removing
the mass concrete in the channels and changing the under-floor electric
connections as and when necessary without any damage to the concrete
flooring.
19. • Ducts for housing various services
like water pipes, electric cables,
ventilation and air- conditioning
are an integral part of the design
of the building.
28. APPROACH
• Main access on the northern side
• Two entrances on the
southern side which
is an internal access
two entrances on the
western side
SITE
• The site is located in the Kasturi
Bhai lalbhai campus in
• Navarangapura,Ahmedabad,
Gujarat
• It lies within a zone occupied by
other educational institutions
• This CEPT university is located at
the edge of the educational
zone,so it is close to other
residential zone.
TOPOGRAPHY
The general slope is towards the
north western corner
29. ARCHITECTS PHILOSOPHY
• Elimination of classroom feeling
• Architecture without barriers
• Integration of open spaces
• Ease of interaction between various departments
• FEATURES
• The building is set back 100ft from the main road and is covered by trees to create the
• Cool atmosphere inside the campus and is hardly visible from the main road…
• Creation of a proper working environent facilitating faculty and students to have
• Free scope to learn and teach anywhere…….
• Exposed local materials for low cost,easy expansion and maintaince…..
• The design is intended to be close to nature and experiment the designing skills,play
• With,levels etc..,The site was undulated and gave oppurtunity to play with levels……
• There are incline skylights on top of the studios,perpetually letting in natural light
• Into the spaces…..
• The studio spaces have bay spaces facing the exterior,creating semi-private spaces which
are yet totally open to the exterior spaces where the individual can be alone with nature
even in the environment of a studio…..
30. LEVEL – 1 FLOOR PLAN
LEVEL – 1
FA101 - M.ARCH LANDSCAPE STUDIO
FP 102 – M.PLAN 1ST YEAR
FP102 – M.PLAN 1ST YEAR
UN101 – AUDITORIUM UN102
– LIBRARY EXPANSION UN103
– SERVER ROOM UN104 –
COMPUTER LAB UN105 -
STUDIO
31. LEVEL – 2 FLOOR PLAN
FA201 – B.ARCH 2ND YEAR STUDIO
FA202 – M.ARCH SPECILIZATION
FA203 – M.ARCH 1ST YEAR STUDIO
FA204 – M.ARCH 2ND YEAR STUDIO
FP201 – M.PLAN 2ND YEAR
FP202 – M.PLAN 2ND YEAR
UN201 – CUE
UN202 – LIBRARY
UN203 – ADMIN AREA
UN204 – RECEPTION
UN205 – ELECTRICITY ROOM
UN206 - PRESIDENT CABIN
UN207-UN222- FACULTY CABIN
UN223 – MEETING ROOM
UN226 – TEACHING ASSISTANT CABIN
UN227 – IT NODE&FACULTY COPIER
32. LEVEL – 3 FLOOR PLAN
FA301 – B.ARCH 4TH YEAR STUDIO
FA302 – B.ARCH3RDYEAR STUDIO
FA303 – B.ARCH 1ST YEAR STUDIO
FP301 – M.PLAN 2NDYEAR RPM
FP302 – M.PLAN 2NDYEAR EP
FP303 – B.PLAN 1ST YEAR
FM301 – FM STUDIO
UN301 – SEMINAR ROOM
UN302 – LIBRARY
UN303 -UN323 – FACULTY CABINS
UN324 – EMPTY ROOM
UN325 – EMPTY ROOM
33. PLANNING
• The built form starts with a pair of parallel walls.The basic component of the buildings of the
cept is a derivate of load-bearing walls,supporting a flat floor slabs.The repeated occurrence
of parallel walled structues can be seen in the cept campus……
• The overall planning has been done around the central court with built masses on sides
and green on one side which gives the campus noise protection………
• The whole building is very simple and architectural elements are
• Expressive of their functions….
• The spaces created by volumes and voids are visually exciting….
• The building has simple horizontal lines and merges beautifully
• With the site……
• The building is two-storyed with a split level basement……..
• The building design incorporates the thermal comfort and
• Natural sensibly….
34. BASEMENT
The basement is a multi-purpose space.It is a very active spaces of the campus.On one side of the
basement rising contours can be seen,and on the other side steps towards the central courtyard….
Thus the north and south walls have been avoided.Numerous activities are performed here like
cultural programs,fests and exhibitions,indoor games etc..,
35. CENTRAL COURTYARD
The central court yard is a combination of paved and unpaved areas,shaded by
Trees in certain areas….
All entrances are linked to the courtyard by pedestrain pathways…….. Hence the courtyard is an
area of heavy circulation of interaction…….
STUDIOS
• The studios have large openings which open into the greenary outside……
• Panels at the sides help the students to put up the important and useful
• Sheets….
• All the studios are above one another,along with the adjacent lecture
• Rooms……..
• There are common interaction zones between the studios of different
• Years……….
• The studios are designed keeping in mind the climatic needs and comfort
• Of its users…..
• The building section and double height studios are well conceived to
• Facilitate air flow……
• The building is oriented along the east-west axis with openings on north&south and thickwalls
are provided on the east and west to keep off the hot sun
37. VENTILATION
•The parallel walls,forming an open tube of space are predominantly aligned north-
South,effectively close to east and west sides……..
•North side is heightened to allow more light in while the south side is kept low to
Shield from direct radiation……
LANDSCAPE
• The campus is full of neem trees,which were planted over the years since the
• Intial phase makes hot ahmedabad climate cooler……..
• The trees provide a perpetual changing pattern of light and shade…..
• There are many interconnecting pathways with brick paving and terracotta
• Tiling……
• There are also small plants within the building and plotted plants at
• Places…
• The steps in fact become external activity hubs with students using the levels for
reading,organsing informal discussions,performances or even for simply lazing around
38. DESIGN FEATURES
• All buildings are oriented in the north-south direction…….
• Open spaces on the north and south side respectively allow fresh air to ventilate the built
structures
• The open spaces and the shaded once merge with the landscape……….
• The open spaces is linked to the office and library area workshop and
• Canteen…..
• The areas are very lively and dynamic……….
39. Students had done the art works from the scrap which is left over in the
college.....These are changed periodically.....
40. Measurements are encrypted on
the beam while in the time of construction
Jalis made
with wood can
be seen in the
walls of cept
university
41. o Product Design
• Studio
• Material sample library
• Drawing stu9dio
• Classroom(2)
• Office
• Visiting faculty
• Project studio + office
• Ergonomic studio + office
o Ceramic & Glass Design
• Ceramic labs(1)
• Ceramic Design studio
• Plaster and glass lab
• Furnace lab
• Prototype display
• Faculty cubicles
• Graphics/visual Design
• Design studio
• Film video communication studio
• Visiting faculty
• office
• Film & video communication
o Photo studio
o Fim and video lab
o Animation camera room
o Slide room
o Preview room
o Photo store
o Store
o Classroom
o A.V. Store
o QR lab
o Dark room
o Offices
42. o Animation Film design
• A.V & resource centre
• Digital documentation centre
• Computer studio
• Layout and plate making studio
• Dark room
• Offset printing
• Printing lab
• Printing store
• Leather
• New media
• Editing room
• Camera room
• Sound room
• Store
• VMP editing room
• Classroom
• offices
o Exhibition Design
• Studio
• Claasroom
• Store
• Office
o Textile Design
• Weaving lab
• Apparel studio
• Stitching lab
• Apparel design lab
• Textile design computer lab
• Classroom
• Apparel store
• Textile Printing lab
• Screen printing studio
• Screen printing store
• Dyeing studio
• office
43. o Common spaces
• Metal workshop
• Metal store
• Wood workshop
• Wood store
• Heating plant
• Painting studio
• Store
• Offices
• Library
• Digital library
• I.T. center
• Server room
• Cad lab
• High performance visualization lab
• Rapid produced deployment lab
• Industry research cell
• Mind to market lab
• A.V. Rooms
• Auditorium
• Showroom
• Student study centre
• Purchase and stores
• Craft display area
o Furniture design
• Studios
• Discussion room
• Class room
• Store room
• Offices
47. Inferencesfrom NIFT Mumbai
Apparel and fashion design
Resource Centre
Art room
Pattern making lab
Garment construction lab
Store room
Design collection store
Faculty room
Mannequin room
Audiovisual room
48. Transportation and Automobile Design
Classrooms
Offices
Store
Computer Lab
High Performance Visualisation Lab
Laser Cutting Lab
Rapid Production Development Lab
Prototype testing Lab
Inferencesfrom NIDBangalore and IDC Mumbai