Nestled amidst the hilly terrain that connects the periphery of two of Bhopal’s major lakes, lies the campus of the Indian Institution of Forest Management (IIFM). This built complex was part of a group of institutional architectures designed post-independence, that played a prominent role in defining the character of regional architecture of the country. These buildings were instrumental in defining what it was to create a unique experience of built spaces in the Indian context. Completed in 1988, IIFM’s campus design is a brainchild of architect Anant Raje, who conceptualized the building as a ‘self-contained’ entity, that fostered a sense of community without intruding into the individualistic development of its students.
Design
Ideas and Philosophy
Anant Raje’s architecture is characterized by deeply rooted Indian values, which find their way into his design philosophy. IIFM’s planning is said to be derived from the historical city of Mandu, with its primary structure built adjacent to a water body. This idea of including a water body into the institute’s design plays out in the form of a linear strip of water with adjacent stepped ‘ghats’ mimicking Indian traditions of creating social gathering spaces at the edge of the water. IIFM’s buildings are riddled with a play of masses and voids, in pursuit of geometrical shapes of circles and squares, which create a sense of definition in open spaces. There is a seamless play between interiors and exteriors as well as the different levels of the structure, rejecting clear demarcations between spaces and floors.
Planning
The IIFM campus is built on a 65-hectare hilly, forested site that rises about 50m from the nearest main road. This makes the historic campus a crowning feature of the hillock overlooking the city of lakes. The campus’ planning is done to make the best effective use of the available contours and the plateaued top, which divides the closely knit buildings into 2 broad zones: the working zone and the living zone. Excluding this broad division of zones the functional spaces seamlessly blend into one another traversing various levels and open courtyards.
The working zone comprises the main functioning areas of the campus including the administrative block, classrooms, seminar halls, library, and auditorium. As seen in the plan above, the primary central corridor is designed at an angle which creates segments that gradually rise upwards with the lay of the land. Each corridor opens into a courtyard which establishes a strong connection with the great outdoors. The library, a uniquely 4-storied structure in the complex, is designed independently and connects with the central structure through a large green court. The fenestrations have also been planned meticulously to maintain a sense of proportion as the building height rises. A water tank arching above the main road terminates the linear water body and separates the library from the student dormitories. The living zone comprises dormitories and faculty housing that are positioned on the southern contours to maximize views of the lake.
Materials and Construction
IIFM makes use of a composite of various materials in its built form. The structure is made of load-bearing masonry brick walls which are coated with stone-washed grit plaster. There is also an extensive use of Kota stone for the facade treatment of the geometrical pergolas which form a curtain wall outside the load-bearing structure. The arches of these geometric pergolas are cast in modular units of fair-faced concrete which can also be seen in the straight window lintels. Today, the campus faces a state of neglect, and these originally bare materials have been treated with paint in an effort to cover stains of degradation over the years.
Sustainability
Being built in a hot climate, in a time when the prevalence of air conditioners was neither economical nor widespread, the IIFM campus made use of passive design strategies to keep cool. Its location in the middle of a forested land, paired with a higher elevation, acts as a great benefit. In addition, the entire structure has been built with a curtain wall, offset from the load-bearing structure which creates a buffer for heat. Punch windows recess inwards to prevent excessive heat from directly entering the rooms. The creation of courtyards dotted with large trees suited to the local microclimate is another important step towards improving green cover and enhancing the livability of these spaces.
These measures kept a check on the thermal comfort of spaces within the campus, which are now changing with rapidly rising temperatures. The climate crisis has forced the adoption of modern modifications to previously effective passive design strategies. The installation of air conditioners has led to sealing off interior spaces, which not only breaks the philosophy of design but also turns into an eyesore everywhere around the campus.
Today, the IIFM campus faces a state of degradation due to neglect, much like various other architecturally significant buildings in the city. Techniques used to salvage the structure are often ill-advised, which has caused the campus to lose its original charm. This calls for an active involvement of the architectural community to work towards the conservation of the rich architectural knowledge embedded in the building’s timeless design. There is still much to decode and learn from the campus in terms of how it cleverly responds to contours, climate, and materials, and inspires architects to create structures that have lasting impacts on social fabrics long after their inception.
REFERENCES:
WA Contents (2018). Anant Raje-Designed IIFM Bhopal Needs Urgent Restoration & Ingenious Approach For Future Growth. [online] World Architecture Community. Available at: https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/ehmmf/anant_rajedesigned_iifm_bhopal_needs_urgent_restoration_ingenious_approach_for_future_growth.html#google_vignette [Accessed 8 Nov. 2024].
Raje, A., Sharad R.Shah and Jain, D.P.C. (2016). Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. Journal of The Indian Institute of Architects, [online] 57(02). Available at: https://architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-178749. [Accessed 8 Nov. 2024]
223365397749948 (2018). Sitee Plan: Campus of the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) at Bhopal was designed by Indian architect Anant Raje. [online] Aζ South Asia. Available at: https://architexturez.net/file/d-5-jpg [Accessed 10 Nov. 2024].
