CEPT UNIVERSITY- ARCHITECTURE BLOCK

B. V. Doshi designed the faculty of Architecture at CEPT university which is considered one of the

contemporary India’s greatest structures. He was sensitive to context and grasped the climate, culture and

pedagogy, resulting in more than just academic building, he built a living as a breathing setting conductive to

interaction, experimentation and intellectual freedom.

In consideration of Ahmedabad’s hot and dry climate, the design has deep overhangs, shaded

corridor, open terrace and operable windows that encourage natural circulation and limited heat gain.

Exposed concrete and brick express the materials honesty while reducing the cost. Instead of conventional

classroom, he designed fluid semi-open studio to encourage cooperation and visual access between student

and instructor, reflecting the flexibility of architectural research and informal character of design education.

Other feature likes integration of structure with nature, courtyard with shaded walks and tired terrace connect

constructed from to landscape. The structure itself becomes pedagogical, the construction frame works like

column, beam slabs, connections are visible and students learn by seeing how the building stands.

However, the design is not without drawbacks, while the studios stimulate participation, they lack in

acoustic isolation, noises from other areas can be distracting, especially when numerous groups utilize the

same floor or corridor, disturbing the attention and impaling formal presentation. The design does not

accommodate individual with impairment, such as elevator or ramps at strategies spot which would make it

more inclusive in the structure may be insufficient for the heavy rains.

The space is an olfactory delight, darken hallways give way to light filled studio, tree lined path leads to

open terrace and rhythm defines movement as well as how light, air and sound interact with spaces. Overall B.

V. Doshi’s faculty of Architecture at CEPT university, climate aware, user cantered design, which has inspired

generation of Indian architects. Despite restriction in acoustics accessibility, the building has served as a source

of inspiration for many generations, encapsulating the core of architectural education in India.