Works of Habib Rahman

Presentation by:

Mayank Shekhawat
Vedika Agrawal
A building becomes architecture when it not only
works effectively but moves the human soul.
Habib Rahman
Image 1, 2 source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/55420661/Habib-Rahman-Architecture-Tribute
Habib Rahman - One of the first generation architects to bring
in Modernism to India

1950s Post Independence Political change, cultural
ethos of India

Nehrus philosophy drove the nation politically and
architecturally

Nehru was set to embrace modernism as the vehicle to
represent the agenda of the unfolding future

Habib Rahmn introduced the Bauhaus style in the Indian
context




Flat roofs, smooth facades, cubic shapes favoring right angles
The colors used are white, gray, black, or beige - dull colors which show the
lack of ornamentation
Open floor plans and functional furniture
Use of steel frames, flat slab, concrete as construction material

Absence of ornamentation
Importance of function
Radically simplified forms
Rationality and functionality
Image source: http://fabfashionista92.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/modern-movements-bauhaus1913-1933/
BAUHAUS
Bauhaus style Emphasized on the use of modern technology,
and mass production techniques and materials to design and
manufacture high quality and cheap goods which could be
accessible to many.
THE USE OF INDIAN ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS
Jalis
Chajjas
Dome
Overhanging roof
Horizontal and vertical louvers

Image 1: New Secretariat, Kolkata
Image 1 source: https://ssl.panoramio.com/user/6073558?with_photo_id=69754386
Image 2: Use of jali
at Rabindra Bhavan
Image 3: Mazzar of Zakir
Hussain
Image 3, 4 source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/55420661/Habib-Rahman-Architecture-Tribute
Image 4: Residential flats,
Ramkrishnapuram, Delhi
The brief demanded the reflection of the personality and philosophy of the Mahatma
A tower A simplified profile of
a temple shikhara, capped with
an Islamic Dome and a
horizontal projecting
cantilevered slab projecting
from from both sides appearing
in silhouette somewhat like a
cross which the ghat steps
descend to the river.
GANDHI GHAT, KOLKATA
Image source: http://www.pwdwb.in/html/buildings.php
Column and cantilever INSPIRED BY F.L. WRIGHT
Rahman was trying to break away from Gropiuss influence and form his own style
Introduction of steel framed structure
resting on concrete piles
Introduction of horizontal and vertical
concrete louvers as sun breakers.
Building designed in 3 blocks to take
advantage of the site
14 storey high tallest at that time in
India Rahman was the 1
st
architect to
introduce skyscraper to India
To obtain uniform illumination and max.
ventilation, the blocks have been
comparatively narrow.
NEW SECRETARIAT, KOLKATA
Image source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/55420661/Habib-Rahman-Architecture-Tribute
The first steel frame skyscraper built in India
NEW SECRETARIAT, KOLKATA
Image source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/55420661/Habib-Rahman-Architecture-Tribute
UGC BUILDING
Aim of the project: To provide accommodation to house all the offices of
the University Grants Commission, New Delhi
Rahman was inspired from the Bauhaus ideology and building forms;
hence, the UGC building is much like a box shape in overall form

Being a Modernist building, it was designed for a functional purpose
(classification of spaces being rational)

Rahman broke the building into two
blocks, to fit the site
Image 1, 2 source: Jon Lang, 1997. Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity - India 1880 to 1980. 1
Edition. Oxford University Press, USA.
Being true to his modernist roots, he used R.C.C framed structure
the grid was simple and thus, the linear form
The columns are either visible as ribs or are free standing. Free standing
columns are rectangular In shape with semi circular ends giving the illusion of
slenderness-heavy structure resting on very little support

The projected slabs and void space create a floating
effect on the ground floor
Image 1
Image source: http://sukanyarahman.com/2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-in-history-of-delhi-architecture/
Funds were less- so AC not installed during time of construction; but Rahman
designed the building in such a way that it could later adapt the AC system
Image source: http://sukanyarahman.com/2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-in-history-of-delhi-
architecture/
The facades were divided into horizontal chajjas n vertical
louvers - almost like a skin protecting the building

Rather than using the same articulation on back faade of the
building, he provided two continuous overhangs on the
windows- this expression was something new that any architect had
used during that time - this would protect rooms from direct sunlight
and also help cut down the heat load on ac system
Faade detail of front elevation Faade detail of rear elevation
Image 1, 2 source: http://sukanyarahman.com/2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-in-history-of-delhi-architecture/
Here he has protected the building from extreme climate of the regions by
creating surface of smaller units consisting vertical and horizontal
louvers and hangovers. Closely placed vertical louvers and thin hangovers
with cut-outs at every interval space create the perfect play of mass and void
in the faade of the building.

Faade of ministry of health
and education designed by
oscar niemeyer
Front faade detail
of UGC
Rear faade detail of UGC
Image 1, 2 source: http://caravanmagazine.in/lede/modern-or-modernist
Not much ornamentation is done except the use
of concrete jaali. Rather than going overboard
with it, Rahman has used very limited amount of
this expression at few places - end of corridors
and at the ground floor parking of the North wing.

Image source: http://caravanmagazine.in/lede/modern-or-modernist
Image source: http://sukanyarahman.com/2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-in-history-of-delhi-architecture/
RABINDRA BHAWAN
Aim of the project: To provide accommodation to house the activities of
the 3 National Academies The Lalit Kala Academy (Plastic arts),
Sahitya (Lterature and philosophy) and Sangeet Natak Academy
(Performing Arts)
Rabindra Bhawan, which was nominated for the Aga Khan award in 1980, was the
first building where I could free myself from the influence of Walter Gropius. This
building belongs to India. Here I used tradtional Indian elements such as chhajjas,
jalis and overhanging roof. It was the first functional building to give me aesthetical
satistfaction. Maybe it was Rabindranaths artistic genius that inspired me to give an
emotionally moving quality to the building. I feel proud to have been able to design
memorials to both the Mahatma and Gurudev. Rahman Habib 1965
Image source: http://
www.scribd.com/doc/
55420661/Habib-Rahman-
Architecture-Tribute
Shape and positioning of the
wings follows the shape of
the site

Use of pure geometry in overall form of the
building.
Rahman created an interconnected structure
free from Gropiuss box shapes and the bauhaus
factory aesthetics.

Image 1, 2 source: Jon Lang, 1997. Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity - India 1880 to 1980. 1
Edition. Oxford University Press, USA.
The building is divided into three major blocks- administrative building,
exhibition gallery and theatre. The administrative block, which is the
biggest of all, occupies prominent amount of space on the site. The
architects vision was to make a bold statement and hold itself on the huge
site- hence the monumental scale of the block.


The Y - shape is chosen very
thoughtfully to cover the maximum
area on the site. Not only that, the
shape of the block creates different
sizes of pockets where other two
blocks are placed
EXHIBITION
GALLERY
THEATRE
ADMINISTRATIVE
BLOCK
Image source: Jon Lang, 1997. Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity - India 1880 to 1980. 1
Edition. Oxford University Press, USA.
Image source: Jon Lang, 1997. Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity - India 1880 to 1980. 1
Edition. Oxford University Press, USA.
Unlike other modernists, who tried to
design their building like a piece of
art and created large open spaces to
view the building, Rahman broke his
building into different blocks to create
gali-like greets which he borrowed
from Indian architecture.
Basic layout of the building having service core in the centre and
functional spaces around.

Image 1, 2 source: Jon Lang, 1997. Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity - India 1880 to 1980. 1
Edition. Oxford University Press, USA.
Reinterpreted form of chajjas in continuous horizontal louvers.
Image showing rows of continous chajjas , where
the louvered rows are placed on cantilievered
brackets
Image 1 source: http://sukanyarahman.com/2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-
in-history-of-delhi-architecture/
Image 2: http://rabindrabhavandelhi.blogspot.in
Composite structure of the building
of brick load bearing walls and RCC
framed structure
Image source: http://sukanyarahman.com/2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-in-history-of-delhi-architecture/
Image 1, 2 source: http://sukanyarahman.com/2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-in-history-of-delhi-architecture/
THE USE OF INDIAN ARCHITECTURAL
ELEMENTS
Jalis
Chajjas
Dome
Image 1: http://rabindrabhavandelhi.blogspot.in
Image 2: http://caravanmagazine.in/lede/modern-or-modernist
R. K PURAM, sec - 13
The govt wanted to develop a residential area for their employees
that would not only be high in density but it would also have the
appropriate environment for the people for quality living.

Double storied houses of RK
Puram
Rahmans design of the proposed mult-storey
housing- south elevation
Image 2 source: http://sukanyarahman.com/2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-in-history-of-delhi-architecture/
-Since the designing of
the Rabindra Bhawan,
rahman had significant
changes in his way of
designing.

-The rectangular box
form of each wing still
depicts his love for pure
geometry in the building
form.

-He always tried to break
this singular form by
providing wing systems
and varied facades and
corner conditions that
would create the play of
mass and void unlike the
flat faade of the Bauhaus
building.
Image 1, 2 source: Jon Lang, 1997. Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity - India 1880 to 1980. 1
Edition. Oxford University Press, USA.
-Generally Rahman tried to orient the building wings or block parallel to the plot boundary
to place it appropriate on site. But here rather than following the same principle, he
tilted each of the apartments in relation to the existing road.
-The idea behind such orientation was most importantly climate and also to give best
possible non obstructive view to the maximum number of rooms in each block.
-Also, with providing the large open spaces between the blocks, a feeling of openness
with good air and light and considerable private for each flat is established.
Image source: Jon Lang, 1997. Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity - India 1880 to 1980. 1
Edition. Oxford University Press, USA.
Simple structure-
R.C.C framework with brick filler walls.
Image 1 source: : http://www.scribd.com/doc/55420661/Habib-Rahman-Architecture-Tribute
Image 2 source: http://sukanyarahman.com/2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-in-history-of-delhi-architecture/
DETAIL ELEMENTS
The external walls of the apartment are painted without any plaster
underneath. So one can see the joints of brick masonry on the facades of
building. The alternatively cantilevered balconies, concrete jaali, projecting
chajjas and exposed brick masonry, all together creates a harmonious
combinations of the architectural language that Rahman has used in his design.
Alternatively cantilevered
balconies
Jaali work
Jaali pattern
for staircase
area
Jaali pattern
for the
apartment
area
Image 1 source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/55420661/Habib-Rahman-Architecture-Tribute
Books

Jon Lang, 2010. Concise History of Modern Architecture In India. Edition. Permanent Black.

Jon Lang, 1997. Architecture and Independence: The Search for Identity - India 1880 to 1980. 1 Edition. Oxford
University Press, USA.


Websites

Habib+Rahman+Architecture+Tribute. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/55420661/Habib-Rahman-
Architecture-Tribute. [Accessed 01 March 2014].

Why was Bauhaus so important. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.architectweekly.com/2012/12/why-was-bauhaus-
style-so-important.html%00. [Accessed 02 March 2014].

Modern Movements: Bauhaus (1913-1933). [ONLINE] Available at: http://fabfashionista92.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/
modern-movements-bauhaus1913-1933/[Accessed 01 March 2014].

West Bengal Public Works Department 2014.West Bengal Public Works Department [ONLINE] Available at: http://
www.pwdwb.in/html. [Accessed 28 February 2014].

Habib Rahman Remembered In History Of Delhi Architecture. 2014. [ONLINE] Available at: http://sukanyarahman.com/
2011/12/11/habib-rahman-remembered-in-history-of-delhi-architecture. [Accessed 28 February 2014].

Modern or Modernist | The Caravan - A Journal of Politics and Culture. 2014. [ONLINE] Available at: http://
caravanmagazine.in/lede/modern-or-modernist. [Accessed 03 March 2014].



REFERENCES