I I F M B H O PA L  

SUBMITTED BY
POORVIKA.G
INTRODUCTION
A magnificent campus of the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) at
Bhopal was designed by renowned Indian architect Anant Raje. When completed
in 1988 it helped the modern Indian architecture to attain another level of
excellence in campus design, and of which the entire architectural fraternity felt
elated .
But with the demise of architect Anant Raje in 2009, the campus seemed to
have lost its custodian and the orphaned complex fallen in the hands of many
unmindful persons. This is evident from some later additions in the campus as
well as up keeping of the existing structures
R E N O VAT I O N S
In a recent visit to the IIFM campus, architect SURINDAR BHAGA found some glaring
shortcomings in its future expansion and maintenance of existing buildings.  These include:
•Construction of a new pink-coloured academic block was added without giving any consideration
to materials, colour scheme, architectural vocabulary, and aesthetics of existing campus.
•A new Transit Guest House building has been designed without considering the design of main
campus.
•Nicely-designed faculty housing has been painted in green colour which does not match with the
existing buildings.
•Within the main campus, certain repair works have been carried out arbitrarily thus spoiling the
original character of the campus.
•Poor maintenance of the existing buildings spoiled the original grandeur of the complex.
In the light of above factors, it was suggested to the authorities that immediate corrective measures
should be taken to restore the original beauty of the campus.
R E N O VAT I O N S
In addition to the above following recommendations have been made to the IIFM authorities:
• IIFM should create a chapter in its admission prospectus/website about architect Anant Raje and
architecture of this campus.
• Some professionally designed display panels should adore the entrance foyer of the academic
wing. These should have large size photo of the architect, his Curriculum Vitae and some salient
features of the campus design and planning. A wooden model of the campus should also be
displayed in the entrance foyer.
• In order to conform to the Disability Act, all buildings should be made disabled-friendly by
adding suitably designed ramps/lifts but without spoiling the original character. It should be
done under the guidance of some professional consultant very carefully.
• One building/plaza should be named after late architect Anant Raje.
 STRUCTURE

The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) at Bhopal has been built on a 65-hectare hilly site.
The design of the institute was inspired by the perception of continuity which mitigates isolationist
tendencies and the belief that institutions are self-contained entities whose growth is nurtured by a
process of self-renewal through the various stages of their development. The plan attempts to create a
sense of community without contradicting the students’ need to feel independent.
The hilly site is crowned by the academic complex and is marked by the presence of a compact, cohesive
group of buildings which constitute the working zone. The area flows along flat contours, providing a
linear form capable of extensions along the side of a promenade. The academic complex has a court
surrounded by classrooms, a library, an auditorium and seminar rooms. The library building, being four-
storied, serves as the focal point of the academic court. An am phi-theatre, with a seating capacity of 750,
is planned for multipurpose activities.
STRUCTURE

The living zone consists of students’ dormitories, a kitchen, dining areas and spaces for
group meetings. The students’ dormitories are located on the southern tip of the academic
complex. All dormitories face the lakes on the southern slopes and are in close proximity to
the library in the academic complex. The openings are recessed into shadow pockets which
become the dominant architectural feature, controlling and directing scale and proportion
throughout the complex.
 The main features of the site are two hillocks with outcrops of slate stone. As a counterpoint to the natural
features, deep bands of trees selected from the types found on the hill are, when fully grown, expected to shade
the walkways and certain areas of the courts. There are water bodies all over the site. Water is carried in narrow
channels to the green areas. A water reservoir on top of one of the hillocks gives a sharp focus to the landscape.
MATERIAL 
The entire campus is constructed of brick masonry for walls. Reinforced concrete is used for the internal frame
structure. Lintels are standardized and are left with exposed concrete surfaces. The areas around the opening are
clad in rough Kota stone and slate bluish-green to purple hues. The remaining part of exterior masonry wall
surfaces is plastered with stone-washed grit. Coarse stone-masonry retaining walls are used for creating terraces
and steps on various levels in the courts.
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