SABARMATI ARSHRAM

Architect : Charles Correa

Location : Sabarmati Ashram, a suburb of Ahmedabad, India

Project year : 1963

Materials : Wooden doors, Stone Floors, Ceramic tile roofs, and brick columns

Style : Hindu Traditional Architecture with Modernist Functional Planning

IDEA AND PHILOSOPHY : He used traditional Hindu architecture for designing the Gandhi
Memorial Museum but doesn't ignore the modernist functional planning either. Correa has
used the concept of Isotropy in designing the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Museum at
Sabarmati ashram. [Isotropy: The concept of isotropy refers to an infinitely scalable structure that is
found in the repetition and manipulation of the decorative elements in Hindu temples.]

The Gandhi Memorial Museum evokes the sense of a village. One meanders through streets
and courtyards – a feeling enabled by an arrangement of pavilions. The choice of this
module allows for future growth, and also gives architectural expression to Gandhi’s words

“I do not want my house to be walled on all sides and my windows be

stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to blow about my house as freely
as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any of them.”

ABOUT : This memorial museum is located in the ashram where Mahatma Gandhi lived
from 1917- 1930.

In this project use of brick piers, stone floors, wooden doors, louvered windows without
glass and tiled roofs to express the spirit of Swadeshi. In order to reflect the simplicity of
Gandhi's life the architect used modular units 6 meters x 6 meters of reinforced cement
concrete connecting spaces, both open and covered, allowing for eventual expansion.
The units are grouped in an asymmetric manner to reflect idea of Indian villages with
pathways and randomly placed buildings and meeting points; in this case meeting point is
central water court. The construction consisted of 51 units. Some of the units are enclosed
by walls; the exhibition spaces created with areas for rest where the visitors can sit.

Correa's subtle changes in the enclosure allow for variety in the module's lighting,
temperature, and visual permeability.

The museum site is a part of the ashram complex and is beautifully integrated by gardens.

The use of local materials shows the environmental consciousness of the great architect
even so early when the concept of green architecture hadn't even originated.

CONSTRUCTION :

 The materials used in the construction are similar to the other buildings in the ashram:
tiled roof, brick walls, stone floors and wooden doors.
 The only additions are the RCC channels which act as beams and as rainfall conduits and
which permit additional construction to be added in future.
 No glass windows are used anywhere in the building; light and ventilation being provided
by operable wooden louvers.
 The museum uses a simple but delicately detailed post and beam structure.
 Load bearing brick columns support concrete channels, which are both, support the
wooden roof and direct rainwater.
 Boards are nailed underneath the joist and tiles are placed atop the joints.
 The foundation is concrete and is raised about foot from the ground.
 Wooden doors, stone floors, brick columns and ceramic tile roofs are the palette of the
building.
Ashram observances :

The object of this Ashram is that its members should qualify themselves for, and make a
constant endeavour towards, the service of the country, not inconsistent with universal
good. Truth, Non-violence, Chastity, Control of the palate, Non stealing, Non Possession or
poverty, Swadeshi, Fearlessness, Removal of Untouchability, Varnashtama Dharma,
Tolerance, Physical labour.

Over the years, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free. It aided
countless other nations and people in their own battles against oppressive forces.

Today, the Ashram serves as a source of inspiration and guidance, and stands as a
monument to Gandhi’s life mission and a testimony to others who have fought a similar
struggle.