Town halls or community centers are essential hubs within a community, acting as the focal point for social and cultural activities and bringing people together for a variety of events. As architectural representations of community identity, town halls often reflect the values and aspirations of the residents they serve. They foster a sense of belonging and connection among community members, enriching the social fabric and encouraging civic participation.
Project Name: Dahegam Town Hall
Studio Name: INI Design Studio
Project Location: Dahegam, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Completion Year: May 2023
Gross Built Area (m2/ ft2): 8092 m2
Lead Architects: Jayesh Hariyani, Pranav Kumar, Nikul Shah
Photo Credits: Aakash Patel
Dahegam Town Hall, envisioned by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) to serve the city’s outlying areas, is designed to accommodate a wide range of communal activities—from social gatherings and performances to training sessions and large banquets. Embracing the bold and unapologetic aesthetic of Brutalist architecture, the design emphasizes a strong public presence. It focuses not only on meeting the community’s needs but also on incorporating principles of sustainability and climate responsiveness. The result is an energy-efficient structure that significantly reduces operational costs and energy dependencies.
This example of Brutalist design seamlessly blends raw honesty and an uncompromising aesthetic with modern functionality. By celebrating the natural beauty of exposed concrete, the building emphasizes material honesty and structural integrity. The modular grid design eschews ornamentation in favor of clean lines and an open layout, promoting spatial flexibility and functional adaptability.
A spacious entrance plaza welcomes visitors into the multipurpose banquet and conference area, capable of hosting up to 500 people. The first-floor auditorium seats over 600 attendees and includes VIP lounges for distinguished guests and green rooms for performers. The parametric interior design enhances the auditorium’s acoustics and lighting, providing an exceptional auditory experience. Additionally, a 100-seat reading area and library on the second floor foster intellectual engagement within the community.
The main functional spaces are protected from the harsh hot climate by peripheral areas that serve as buffers, such as arrival and pre-function lobbies, vertical circulation cores, restrooms, and back-of-house service spaces. This design reduces the cooling load by leveraging the thermal mass of concrete to enhance energy efficiency, in line with the sustainable principles associated with Brutalism. Large windows allow ample natural light, while practical lighting fixtures ensure functionality without sacrificing aesthetics. Architectural fins on the upper floors’ front façade add a sense of grandeur, and fenestrations ensure that circulation areas are well-lit naturally. The verdant front lawn offers a soft contrast to the raw monumentality of the structure.
The material palette of the exterior and interior merges seamlessly, creating a cohesive design narrative. The Brutalist exposed concrete is complemented by ethereal Jodhpur pink sandstone, exuding a blend of modernity and timeless elegance. This commitment to sustainability, economy, and iconic design fosters a legacy that enriches the community and redefines public spaces, all while embracing Brutalism’s minimalist aesthetics, intelligent space utilization, and material honesty.
