M2 India (1992)**

Artist/Designer:

Project Location: Ahmedabad, India

Figure 1: Exterior of the structure, the entrance is just behind the brick wall ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Figure 2: Cross Section ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Figure 3: Section ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Figure 4: Plan ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Figure 5: Another exterior view with lush greenery ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Figure 6: Close up exterior view ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Figure 7: Interior view before the wall murals were painted ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Figure 8: Interior view with M.F.Hussain Artwork ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Figure 9: Construction phase ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Figure 10: Construction phase ( Source | Accessed : March 6, 2020 | Photographer: Vastu Shilpa Foundation )

Style/Period(s):
Modern, Organic Architecture

Primary Material(s):
Ceramic, Concrete

Function(s):
Exhibition

Related Website(s):

Hidden Architecture Article | Accessed : March 6, 2020

Architecture Firm's Website | Accessed : October 19, 2020

Tourism Video focusing on Architecture | Accessed : October 19, 2020

Architect Magazine | Accessed : October 19, 2020

Tracing MF Husain’s footprints in Ahmedabad | Accessed : October 19, 2020

India Today Article | Accessed : October 19, 2020

Significant Date(s):
20th Century, 1992, 1995

Additional Information:
Publications/Texts in Print:

Gupta, Kaustav. “Toward Sustainable Design- The Excluded Issues: LEED Rating System in India.” (2009).

Lang, Jon. A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India. New Delhi, India: Orient BlackSwan Private Limited, 2010.

Steele, James. “Rethinking Modernism for the Developing World : The Complete Architecture of Balkrishna Doshi" (1998).

Swaranjali, Pallavi. “Architectural Storytelling: The Subjunctive Mode of Architectural Conceptualization and Experience in the Works of Balkrishna Doshi”, Architecture and Culture, Architectural Storytelling, volume 6, 2 (2018): 289-306.

Tabana, Mohsen and Mohammad Mehrakizadehb-Sara Najjaranc. “Recognition of the Shading Elements in Traditional Houses of Dezful.” (2019).

Waters, John K. Blobitecture : Waveform Architecture and Digital Design. Gloucester, MA: Rockport Publishers, 2003.

Building Address: Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus Opp Gujarat University campus, CEPT campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009, India

Significant Dates: Construction began 1992, Completed 1995,

Supporting Staff/ Designers: Architect B. V. Doshi, Architecture firm Vāstu Shilpā Consultants, Artist M. F. Husain,

Tags: India, Amdavad Ni Gufa, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, History and Interiors, Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Modern, Organic Architecture, 20th Century, 1992, 1995, Ceramic, Concrete, Blobitecture, Reinforced Concrete, Stalagmites, Columns

This structure is a form of an architecture movement called blobitecture. It is a sculpture of dome shells finished in china mosaic pieces. The function of this space was to house M.F.Hussain's paintings. All the domes are protruding above ground level and the entire gallery space is underground. There is a play of intersecting circles and ellipses, the light comes in through shafts from the circular openings in the domes. All of the forms were self supporting due to the resolution of stress. Ferrocement was used in forming these undulating surfaces, while reinforced concrete was used for the domes and the walls. In the hot climate of Gujarat state, this structure being underground was always a few degrees cooler and using china mosaic which is a glazed form of ceramic also kept it cool inside. The artist who's work was displayed within the structure had free reign, he painted free flowing lines, the black on the domes outside the structure, he painted the walls and even the air conditioners. As someone who has visited this site, it is one of my personal favourites ! I love the ease in which the whole structure comes together. It looks like a shell but it houses paintings. The columns floor and ceiling seem to resemble stalagmites and all are fluid seamlessly merging boundaries of the space.

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