AR.
ACHYUT
KANVINDE
INDIAN CONTEMPORARY
ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
Kanvinde was born in 1916 in a small village on the
Konkan coast raised in a joint family in the village.
He entered the Architecture Department at Sir J.J.
School of Art in 1935 then headed by Claude Batley,
who was also the premier architect of the country.
He passed out in 1941. In 1943, he joined the newly
formed Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
as architect.
Achyut Kanvinde attended Harvard Graduate school
of Design in 1945.
In 1947 appointed as the Chief Architect of CSIR.
Formed Kanvinde and Rai with Shaukat Rai in 1955
which resulted in a unique and exemplary partnership.
He practiced perfectly for 55 years and was
considered the pioneer of what may be termed the
modern movement in architecture in India
FOREFATHER OF MODERN INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
A. P. KANVINDE
PHILOSOPHY
Kanvinde plays with space and forms.
His designs are slender, balanced, proportionate, neat and well crafted.
He gave much more importance to the natural light. He would give forms to the
building that could solve the problem of ventilation as well as excessive heat. He
believed in vernacular architecture.
He believed that the image should be such that can set the mood and interest for
which the building stands for. Both inherent values and historical influences
contribute towards good architecture.
PRINCIPLES
|| ARCHITECTURE IS NOT A
MUSEUM OF MATEERIAL ||
FUNCTIONALISM
LOGIC OF LIGHTNESS
MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND BRUTALISM
REGIONALISM
RATIONALIST
SENSE OF SPACE
PRINCIPLES
MODERN ARCHITECTURE
FUNCTIONALISM LOGIC OF LIGHTNESS AND BRUTALISM
• The buildings were always • The complete focus on the • Simplification of form and creation of
ornament from the structure.
conceived with first priority materials to be used in
• Elimination of unnecessary detail.
given to its functions and the construction Kanvinde always try
• Visual expression of structure, as opposed to
social values when designing to develop such an aesthetic for a
the hiding of structural elements.
spaces. heavy mass construction that’s
• Brutalism is child of modern architecture.
looks light.
• He rejected symmetry. • Developed to create functional structure at a
low cost, but eventually designers adopted the
look for other uses such as college buildings.
PRINCIPLES
REGIONALISM RATIONALIST SENSE OF SPACE
• Inevitability based on the • Kanvinde reveal the internal • Kanvinde always tried to bring
exigencies of local climate, social functional in a building as down buildings to humane scale
conditions, building materials separate masses and then and a connection to the built
and sound climatological arranged in a ways that were heritage in a locality.
principles. functional from inside and
elegant from outside.
DESIGN CONCEPT
Kanvinde believed that a grid of columns forming a matrix giving structural and
spatial aspect would turn a design to more sophisticated and faceted.
He treated his building with ‘VASTUSHASTRA’.
He also used maximum principles of vernacular architecture.
TIMELINE
GREAT MASTERS
HARVARD SCHOOL DOODHSAGAR NEHRU SCIENCE AWARD FROM JK
OF DESIGN DAIRY, MEHSAANA CENTER, MUMBAI INDUSTRIES LTD.
1916 1945 1973 1985 1993
1935 1966 1976 1991 1998
SIR J.J COLLEGE OF IIT KANPUR AWARDED NATIONAL ISKCON TEMPLE
ARTS PADMASHREE SCIENCE CENTER, EAST OF KAILASH,
DELHI DELHI
LIST OF WORK
Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research Doodhsagar Dairy ,Mehsana (National Dairy
(1947) Development Board) (1973)
Ahmedabad Textile Industries Research Association Institute Of Rural Management, Anand (1979)
(1953)
Nehru Science Center, Mumbai (1985)
Physical Research Laboratry, Ahmedabad (1953-54)
National Science Center, New Delhi (1991)
Darpana Dance Academy (1963)
Harivallabdas House, Ahemdabad (1964)
National Insurance Academy, Pune (1992)
Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bangalore (1965) Iskcon Temple, East Of Kailash, Delhi (1998)
Iit Kanpur Campus (1966) Dudhsagar Dairy Complex, Gujarat (1973)
Residence Of A P Kanvinde (1967) IIT Kanpur Campus (1961-1965)
ACHIEVEMENTS
Awarded Padma Shree in 1976.
President IIA (1974-75)
Co-Authored book “Campus Design in India”.
IIA’s Babu Rao Mhatre Gold Medal for life time achievement in 1985
Great Masters Award from JK Industries Ltd. in 1993.
Was also a part of the jury on the competition for the Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts,
along with B.V. Doshi.
ISKCON TEMPLE, DELHI
ISKCON TEMPLE
LOCATION: NEW DELHI, INDIA
PURPOSE: TO SERVE AS CENTER
FOR INDIA’S GREATEST GLORY
OF VEDIC KNOWLEDGE AND
CULTURE.
ARCHITECT: AR. ACHYUT
KANVINDE
ARCHITECTURE
ISKCON TEMPLE is situated over a hill with the main temple block occupying the highest portion of the
site. The three-acre site is surrounded by the buildings leaving the open area mainly in the center. The
open area is arranged in terraces to meet the buildings at various levels and create spatial relationship with
its architecture.
The temple is built in the contemporary architectural style and pays tribute to the builders for the design
and outlay of the structure. The artistic splendor of the temple is evident starting with the spires soaring
into the sky to a height of 90 feet. The interiors are beautifully decorated with the works of several Russian
artists depicting real life instances of deities like Radha-Krishna and Sita-Ram. The expansive central hall
houses attractively sculpted idols of Radha-Krishna and several other deities. The ambience is exhilarating
and a feeling of peace and calm pervades the entire temple complex. The chanting of the Maha Mantra
‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ rents the air and everyone present is taken in by the charm the temple exudes.
FORM OF STRUCTURE:
• THE TEMPLE COMPLEX WAS NOT ONLY
SCULPTURAL FORM TO IT BUT ALSO NATURALLY
C
LIT AND VENTILATED.
SHIKHARA AND KALASHA CONCEPT:
O • THE ISKCON TEMPLE HAS THREE, TOPPED WITH
THE AMALAKAS (RIBBED CIRCULAR MOTIF), AND
N
POT FINIAL.
• TRANSPARENT CONCRETE FACADE OF SHIKHARA
C
CHARACTERISED BY ARIEL AND ARCHED
OPENINGS FRAMED IN RED SANDSTONE AND
WHITE MARBLE.
E
P
T
S
I B’
T
E
P
L
N
A B
A
A’
N
LEGEND:
1. MAIN
ENTRANCE(PEDESTRIAN
)
2. RECEPTION AREA
P
3. PLAZA
4. SHOE ROOM
5. POOLS AND CASCADES
L
6. GUEST RECEPTION
7. EMERGENCY EXIT
8. ENTRANCE(GUEST/ VIP/
A
MUSEUM)
9. SERVICE ENTRANCE
10. COURTYARD(SERVICES)
N
11. RESTAURANT
ENTRANCE(BELOW)
12. TICKET COUNTERS AND
PUBLIC TOILETS
13. ENTRANCE TO PRAER
HALL
14. DEITY AREA
15. VIP ENTRANCE TO
MUSEUM
N
S
E
LEGEND:
C 1
2
2 2
2
16
1. Main Entrance
2. Entrance Plaza
T
SECTION AA’
4. Restaurant Block
5. Lotus Pond
8. Turfed Area
I
16. Service Road
19. Institutional Block – A
22. Sunken Garden
O 23. Amphitheatre
N
16
8 19
23 22
5 22
4
SECTION BB’
S
E
C
T
I
O
N
MATERIAL
STEEL: 880 TONS
CEMENT:5500 TONS
MARBLE: 26000 SQ. FT.
STONE: 75000 SQ. FT.
STONE CHIPS: 260000 CUBIC FT.
WOOD: 2000 CUBIC FT.
BROWN DHOLPUR STONE WITH WHITE
MARBLE THE TWO TONE COMBINATION HAS
BEEN CARRIED BEAUTIFULLY.
THE MARBLE HAS BEEN USED ONLY FOR
CLADDING. WHILE DHOLPUR STONE HAS
BEEN CARVED, AND USED TO HIGHLIGHT
THE EDGES.
ISKCON TEMPLE
VIEW
SKETCHES
NEHRU SCIENCE CENTER,
MUMBAI
NEHRU SCIENCE
CENTER, MUMBAI
LOCATION: WORLI, MUMBAI
PURPOSE: THE NEHRU SCIENCE
CENTER IN MUMBAI, IS ONE
SUCH WORKSHOP,
WHICHINVOLVES THE VISITOR IN
A SCIENTIFIC EXPERIENCE.
ARCHITECT: AR. ACHYUT
KANVINDE
ARCHITECTURE
THE DESIGN HAS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES OF MODERNISM, APPROPRIATE TO THE TECHNOLOGICAL
CHARACTER OF THE BUILDING.
BEFITTING A SCIENCE MUSEUM THE DESIGN IS MORE FUNCTIONAL THAN CULTURAL- AN
UNPREDICTABLE AND CHANGING MIX OF ARCHITECTURAL FORMS AND FACADES PRESENTING AN
UTTERLY UNEXPECTED FORM FOR MUSEUM BUILDING.
MODULAR DESIGN- ITS DESIGN IS BASICALLY MODULAR BUT THE REPETITION OF MODULE IS NOT
PREDICTABLE.
THE FORM FURTHER DEVELOPS INTO A MULTI DIRECTIONAL MODULE WITH CENTRAL SERVICES
CORES STRUCTURAL SHAFTS. THE ENTIRE REQUIREMENTS ARE RESOLVED IN FOUR MAJOR
MODULAR UNITS.
THE CIRCULATION BROADLY FALLS UNDER TWO BASIC NEEDS- THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND OF
THE EXHIBITS.
CONCEPT
THE SITE IS NATURALLY SLOPING IN DIFFERENT
DIRECTIONS. THE ARCHITECT DELIBERATELY WANTED
TO MAINTAIN AND ACCENTUATE TO THIS NATURAL
TOPOGRAPHY OF SITE, IN THE FORM OF SPLIT-LEVELS
OF MODULAR UNITS. THE VAST EXPANSE OF THE
METAL FINISH WITH GROOVES GIVES A MORE DEFINITE
AND DRAMATIC CHARACTER TO THE EXTERIOR. ALSO
THE USE OF VENTILATION SHAFTTS HAS BEEN
COMMENDABLY USEDD TO ENHANCE THE CHARACTER
OF THE BUILDING.
S
I
T
E
P
L
A
N
BLOCK A
• ADMINISTRATION
P • HALL OF INDUSTRIES
L BLOCK B AND
BLOCK C
• EXHIBITION
A •
GALLERIES
WORKSHOP
N BLOCK D
• AUDITORIUM
• CONFERENCE HALL
• LIBRARY
C
O
N
BLOCK- B
N
E
INDIVIDUAL
C BLOCK:
T • THE STAIRCASE IS
PLACED IN THE CENTER
OF THE BLOCKS.
I • THERE ARE 2 PASSENGER
ELEVATORS AND ONE
V •
FREIGHT ELEVATOR.
THE BLOCKS ARE LINKED
I BLOCK- C •
BY BRIDGES.
THE STRUCTURAL
COLUMN IS 1.5*1.5 M AND
T HOLLOW FROM INSIDE
THAT CARRY ALL THE
Y CONCEALED WIRING.
S
E
C
T
The shaft is a hollow tube measuring 2.3mX2.15m. The
forced air is thrown in to each display area through an
inlet at the roof level. The polluted air is thrown out from
I the exhibition areas through an outlet at the floor level by
means of tube axial fans mounted on top of each shaft.
The ventilation system has the following disadvantages –
O 1. The amount of air changes facilitated by the system does
not achieve comfort levels.
N
2. When forced air reaches the louver level the force exerted
by the blowers on the air is considerably reduced. Thus one does
not feel the fast air movement, which is necessary in a humid
place like Bombay.
3. The air inlets and outlets are placed just ten feet away from
each other.
4. Loud noise and vibrations are caused by the blowers inspite
of the use of glass fibre lining on the ducts
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
As the site is reclaimed, since it was a marshy land, pile foundation had to be used.
The structural system is conceived with structural supports placed at 12.0m c/c.
These supports are made up of hollow 2.3mX2.15m L.C. concrete tube which
functions both as structural components and conceal the air distribution system and
the services.
Large unobstructed spans were essential for the exhibition halls of the science
centre. Therefore ribbed or waffle slab is used. The floor slab consists of
0.9mX0.9m fabricated or pre-cast R.C.C. waffle units.
MATERIAL
The exterior surface of the structure, for low maintenance cost, is finished with local grey stone,
grit plaster with grey cement (1:1) panels created by making grooves on the grit plaster at certain
intervals. The finish, although good in appearance has certain disadvantages, such as –
1. The grooves left between the panels are not watertight and are a cause of heavy leakage during the
monsoon.
2. Rich mixture of cement has been used to cast large panels which have cracked due to expansion and
contraction. Even these cracks are the cause of monsoon leakage.
3. The grit plaster used does not hold on R.C.C. surface therefore patches of shot-crete fallen from a few
places spoiling the elevation
THANK YOU…!!
Pratik Ostwal (309124)
Akshata Patil (309126)
Sakshi Pilkhane (309130)
Bhumika Sonawane (30913
Neha Wagh (309138)
REFERENCE
https://archistudent.net/padma-shri-achyut-p-kanvinde/ (Introduction & philosophy)
https://www.slideshare.net/archistudentportal/presentation-on-padma-shri-a-p-kanvinde?
https://archistudent.net/ (List of projects & concept)
https://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/achyut-kanvinde/ (achievements)
https://issuu.com/arjakmitra/docs/thesis_report_-_arjak_mitra ( Nehru science center, mumbai)
https://www.angelfire.com/in4/vikramsaraph/dd/pages/nehruscience.html
( Information Nehru science center, Mumbai)
https://architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-193220 (Information Iskcon temple, Delhi)
