National Institute of Design

case study
 ● site & context
● history
● surrounding context

Members
Abirami KA
Anas K
Anirudh Ramesh
Aravind P
Aromal Sajith
Faisal k
Henna Fathima V
Kajol James
Kiran Antony
Mehnoor Bisati
Mihna A
Niveditha PK
Renetta Roshan
Sanjana Anil

site level study group 1

 Location Client:
Ministry Of Industry, Government Of India
Stakeholders:
Faculty, Students
Area:
63,848 sq.m
Architect:
Giraben Sarabhai & Charles Eames

1.Sport Complex Sabarmati Riverfront Ahmedabad

● 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. 2.Patang Kite Museum
● Main Access of the site is from the main road.

History Surrounding context

The site is surrounded by Sabarmathi river,
Residential area, commercial area and public
buildings where NID campus acts as focus for the
surrounding structures.

2
Commercial area 3 3.Tagore Hall
● As a result of the Industrial Policy Resolution of 4
1956, the government of India invited the design
team of Charles and Ray Eames to recommend a site
program of design to serve as an aid to small Residential area
industries in India.
● Based on their document, 'The India Report', the
government of India set up the National Institute of
Design in 1961 as an autonomous national institution 1
for research, service and training in industrial design
and visual communication.
● Charles Eames and Giraben Sarabai where the
architects. 4.Sardar Bridge

site level study 01.

 Entry
● The site can be approached through two entries:
one for the institute and other for residential area.
● No entry has been provided along the main road,
as it is a heavy traffic zone.
● From the main gate, the institute is hidden behind
thick foliage and is only visible once we enter the
main gate.
● The academic and residential areas are located far
apart with the narrow link between the two but
having separate access
● Both blocks have controlled entrances

Access
Vehicular movement: vehicular movement is
restricted only till the entrance for the visitors. But it is
possible from residential areas to academic block
vice versa. And pedestrian and vehicular movement
are not separated.

Views & Vistas

The central monument provides
Entry marked by the elaborate plaque.
a focus and makes the view
more engaging.
● Introverted campus - No
commanding views from outside
the campus - conceals what
occurs/ exists inside.
● Densely vegetated campus -
courtyards well integrated within
the building - green views
enhance overall health and
well-being.
● Poor visual access - necessitates
the use of signages for
wayfinding.

Eames Plaza

Building - Courtyard Linkages

site level study 02.

 PARKING

Typology of spaces

1. Personal spaces
2. Collaboration spaces
3. Presentation spaces
4. Making spaces
5. Transition spaces

site level study 03.

 TOPOGRAPHY Vertical Zoning

Sections
Section 1-1
The drainage in flow in the LONGITUDINAL SECTION THROUGH COURTYARD
site is towards the Section 2-2
Sabarmathi river.

The site is below the high

flood level. Hence the built
structures are on stilts.

Design Street

Section 1-1 Design street positioned along the main axis

running through the building close to public zone of
the campus.

Exhibition Space

Highway on the north side of the site is elevated to one

floor height. Which blocks the view towards the design
street and other active spaces. Also the academic block
will have a good view from the road.
On the lower side of the site
Built structures are not
designed.
Intentionally to avoid the
flood issue.

Design Street

Access to the 1st Floor

Section 2-2

site level study 04.

 Horizontal Zoning of Spaces
SPACE HIERARCHY Displaying Hierarchy

ENTRANCE

OFFICE FOR HEAD

OFFICE FOR DIRECTOR

ADMINISTRATION FACULTY ROOM

STUDIO Ground floor plan

MEETING ROOM
WORKSHOP
DISPLAY AREA
AUDITORIUM
EXHIBITION SPACE

HUMAN HIERARCHY

HEAD

Second floor plan STUDIO

DIRECTOR
FACULTY

COURT
ADMIN STAFF FACULTY TOILET

AUDITORIUM

STUDENT First floor plan SERVICES

CIRCULATION

site level study 05.

 ● Activity study
● Parking levels planning
● Landscape features &
material study

planning level study group 2

group 2
USE OF DIFFERENT SPACES, ACTIVITIES IN COMMON SPACES

Flexible spaces

Non-directional

Disorganized
Informal

Ground floor
layout
Courtyard spaces

Undefined corridors
Exhibition spaces

● Building feels like a complex.

● Several courtyards at different
levels ensure light &
ventilation.
● Peripherally running corridors.

First floor
● Vertical access means along
periphery.
● Haphazard planning but
Meeting place
effective due yo informal
Walkways nature & adaptive
Courtyards
Common discussions takes Display area environment
place in courtyard and also acts
as leisure space for students

● Planned around two main

courtyards.
● Informal setup of reception and
waiting space with informally placed

Second floor
exhibits.
● Movement pattern is made to
experience the receding columns in
perspective on the way to canteen.
Design Street connecting display,meeting area and landscape.

planning level study 07.

ROUTES , CIRCULATION AND SIGNAGE SAFETY AND SECURITY

● The main campus has a

single access and exit
point, as well as a
secondary entry point
for the residential
section.
● In residential zones,
outsider entry is
restricted.

ENTRY AND EXIT RAMPS

● Most of the campus spaces are

Accessed by stairs and lifts.
Disabled access is neglected
in the circulation inside
● Staff parking(four wheeler) inside the campus accounts for about 20 - campus.
25 parking nos.
● There are about 30 two wheeler parking slots inside the campus for
students.
● There is no provision for four wheeler parking for four wheeler
parking for students.

planning level study 08.

 landscape approach road courtyards
The built space has been designed to incorporate
the open spaces as well. The sprawling lawns are
used for gathering and cultural purposes as well.

walkway

hardscape
The landscape highlights the entryway to the
campus. The design makes use of planter boxes,
The campus has 3 major courtyards which serve as
that enhance the first view of the campus.
informal gathering spaces and a point of focus
academic buildings within the interiors.
fig 1: map showing the hardscape and landscape on canteen
campus

25%

75%

The canteen located along a verandah like space is open

fig 2: Percentage of
hardscape and softscape to the landscape on 3 sides and flanked by a building on
The academic buildings are shaded by pockets of the other. Thus creating a visually engaging space.
Hardscapes greenery. Trees include acacia, and plants used
include crotons.
● Pole lights along the hedge exhibition spaces
● There are RCC street benches for the fellows and
students .
● Structures made of stones and iron rods.
● Floor material - cement , sand stones

Softscapes
● Consists of lawns flowerbeds hedges trees etc
● Central courtyard within the building
● 75% of its total area consists of softscape

planning level study 09.

 ● site & context
● history
● surrounding context
● (major subtopics studied by
the group)

building level study group 3

 location (subheading size - 16/ raleway bold)
The building is located ………………………… (body text size - 13/raleway
medium)

SKETCHES/FIGURES

fig 1: location map (text supporting figure - size- 10/

raleway normal)

building level study 10.

 Some studios and classrooms does not have proper
signages
There is no floor level information.
Washroom doesn’t have proper signages.
There is no proper hierarchy and there is some placement
issues.
The main map gives only areal information it lacks many
information which helps user to navigate.
For first years it is difficult to navigate through.
There is not enough boards or signages for rooms.
For washrooms everyone rushes into one ,without
knowing the ones around.
Enough navigation available for admin block .But lacks
communication on other blocks.
building level study
A system of hierarchy has to be introduced.
Basic information like washrooms and water points
has to be marked.
Thought on navigation during nights
Special consideration to differently abled.
Mark emergency exit.
Changes in stiudio placements during events has to be
considered.
Placement for sign boards are not perfect.They
are only applicable for pedestrians.From parking
there is no signages.
It is not readable it is difficult to understand the
current location and create mental map of how it
is applicable.
No landmarks provided.
10.
building level study