SANSKAR KENDRA

A MUSEUM WITH INFINITE EXPANSION

BY
B.VISHALI
AYOOB YACOOB
ABOUT THE ARCHITECT
“Architecture is the learned game,
correct and magnificent, of forms assembled
in the light” –Le Corbusier

Born in the small Swiss city of La Chaux-de-

Fonds, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris—
better known by his pseudonym Le
Corbusier (October 6, 1887 – August 27,
1965)—is widely regarded as the most
important architect of the 20th century. As
a gifted architect, provocative writer,
divisive urban planner, talented painter,
and unparalleled polemicist, Le Corbusier
was able to influence some of the world’s
most powerful figures, leaving an indelible
mark on architecture that can be seen in
almost any city worldwide.
OTHER WORKS OF LE CORBUSIER
I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and
leaves less room for lies.

CONCEPTUAL
SKETCHES
“The magic box”
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION SABARMATI
AHMEDABAD,INDIA RIVER
THE MAGIC BOX
The initial square core of the museum around a courtyard was constructed by 1954. the
intention for the site was to develop three additional, individual volumes around the core
museum each with its own circulation and a raised walkway connection to the core
building.one was to contain an open air theatre, studio and conference facilities, while the
other two would contain archaeological and anthropological rooms. There was also
potential to extend the core building itself and construct a magic box theatre at the
eastern end of the site. However none of the extensions were ever realised.
CONTEXT
The museum at the cultural center of Ahmedabad, known as anskara
Kendra, is located in the state of Gujarat in Ahmedabad. It is located near
the Sardar Bridge around 400 metes from the western bank of the river
Sabarmati, which flows through the city. Ahmedabad has a hot, semi-arid
climate with average maximum summer temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius,
a monsoon season, and a mild winter.

ARCHITECT
Le Corbusier designed the museum as the heart of a new cultural centre for
Ahmedabad. The design concept stems from an idea that he had previously
explored of a “museum of unlimited extension , making use of standardised
structural elements to create a core building that could be extended over
time as additional funds were procured.

THE MAGIC BOX

The initial square core of the museum around a courtyard was constructed
by 1954. the intention for the site was to develop three additional, individual
volumes around the core museum each with its own circulation and a raised
walkway connection to the core building.one was to contain an open air
theatre, studio and conference facilities, while the other two would contain
archaeological and anthropological rooms. There was also potential to
extend the core building itself and construct a magic box theatre at the
eastern end of the site. However none of the extensions were ever realised.
 PRINCIPLES OF LE CORBUSIER REFLECTED IN THE WORK

PILOTIS
The replacement of the supporting walls by a grid of reinforced
concrete columns that bear the load of the structure is the basis of
the new aesthetic.
ROOF GARDENS
The flat roof can be utilized for a domestic purpose while also
providing essential protection for the concrete roof
THE FREE DESIGNING OF THE GROUND PLAN
The absence of supporting walls means that the built form is
unrestrained in its internal usage
THE FREE DESIGN OF THE FAÇADE
By separating the exterior of the building from its structural function
the façade becomes free
THE HORIZONTAL WINDOW
the façade can be cut along its entire length to allow rooms to be
lit equally

INTERIOR VIEW OF THE CORRIDOR

“The museum of infinite expansion”
TRUE WALL OF HONOR
Day lighting in the central courtyard
Day light penetrates through the center of the
building creating a void of light at the entry to a
museum of infinite expansion. This expression is a
true contrast to the confined approach beneath
the building upon entry.
PILOTIS
One of the successful characteristics of the building
can be identified in the low height of the pilots ,the
tops of which are 3.4 metres. The floor to the ceiling
height varies in depth with respect to the slab
thickness and spandrel beams, for instance to the
ground floor’s external presence is 2,5 metres in
order to create an overbearing and darkened
approach underneath the building to its central
entry, amongst its expansive open floor plan
Concept
Throughout the work of Le Corbusier we can
find concepts that have evolved over time
from design and construction. The concept of
unlimited museum was one of those ideas that
drove in two earlier projects, including: The
Mundaneum, the World Museum of Geneva,
Switzerland, in 1929 and the Musée à
croissance de Sans lieu illimitée in 1939.
However, only three projects were undertaken
including the museums of Ahmedabad.
The “square spiral” remains constant, having
the spaces around a courtyard and through a
grid of columns that raise the level building
from the ground level, the walls that project
and extend outward ground floor, getting no
limits in size.
Spaces
The museum is a prism that rises from ground level on Pilotis level of an array of 7 x 7 meters, forming
walkers fourteen feet wide spiral circulations generated within the building. In project includes volumes
that are linked through the ground floor creating a spiral directionality but were never built. It currently has:
Ground Floor
At ground floor the entrance hall which has a triple height to reach it is necessary to go through space
supported by piles. In the middle are the access ramp to the first level and stairs leading up to it, a core of
toilets and a kiosk as a selling point for art reproductions. We can also find a museum collection tank,
which showed an elevator to move the work to the upper floors.

In the original project would follow three volumes of the main building, which were not built. In the first
project would have a studio with a considerable extent for the preparation of exhibitions at the floor.
Not to mention the conference auditorium and the library book deposit. The other two are separate
volumes archaeological and anthropological rooms would count as separate buildings each with its
own circulation.
First Floor Level
Coming from a ramp or the stairs on this level that we are the first rooms of exhibitions that are
arranged in the form of long corridors spanning seven meters wide each. All rooms have circulations
that link the ground floor and this. Some have high ceilings to take advantage of vertical space. At
the top of the floor of the mezzanine is a planter made of reinforced concrete.
Second and Third Floor Level
These plants are linked by stairs that emerge from the first
level. These lead to different exhibition halls are located on
the first level as in galleries in seven meters wide. At this level,
clearly located concrete slab has shots all round that stand
out in front as independent pieces.
Fourth Level
In the fourth level we have a large part of electrical
installations and the finishing of the building which consists of
leaving the walls in front low to have an opening where the
air leak and natural lighting.
Roof
The roof is an important issue because, although not the
typical terrace used in all projects, Le Corbusier sees it as
water-filled vessels which bring relief to the building due to
the high temperatures that exist in the city. That’s why the
deck is a concrete slab is covered with a layer of lightweight
concrete, then a waterproof layer, then cover it for different
layers of earth and gravel to fill all “vessels” with water.
Structure and Materials
The structure consists of reinforced concrete
slabs and piles, which we get a classic domino
system with open floor plan. In the first level is a
concrete tray where facilities are located and in
turn is topped by a concrete planter which has
vegetation with the aim to have a natural
insulation. The elements are made of concrete
road and go hand in hand with the floors.
The facades are composed of red brick double
walls with different separations between them in
each front, covering the building in this way to
reduce temperatures. On the fourth level we
can distinguish that has forged a remarkable
finish concrete in making a function to attach
the brick facade and provide rigidity. We can
also see a reinforced concrete slab as a finish on
the main facade around the building
The roof is reinforced concrete modules 7x7m or
50 m2, covered with low-density concrete and
waterproofing with layers of sand to make the
role of water containers.
The floors are concrete and the woodwork and
doors are steel extrusions and riveted laminated
steel.
 MATERIALS AND ANALYSIS OF EXTERIOR ELEMENTS
AS TIMBER IS NOT LOCALLY AVAILABLE IN THIS REGION OF INDIA,THE BUILDING HAS BEEN
CONSTRUCTED FROM UNFINISHED REINFORCED CONCRETE AND BRICK FOR FACADE

BRICK FACADE
GREEN ROOF
THE ROOF CONSISTS OF
APPROXIMATELY 45
CONCRETE BASINS,SHADE
OF THICK VEGETATION
OVER THE SURFACE OF
GREENWALL THE WATER PREVENTS
EACH FACADE WAS EVAPORATION; EACH
DESIGNED WITH THE BASIN IS STEWN WITH
INTENT OF SUPPORTING LEAVES.
PERENNIAL CLIMBING
GREEN WALLS,WHICH MECHANICAL LIGHTING
WOULD ACT AS A
MECHANICAL LIGHTING TO ENABLE
NATURAL ELEMENT OF SECTION THROUGH THE DOUBLE HEIGHT
LIGHTING PENETRATING INTO THE
THERMAL INSULATION. EXHIBITION SPACE
DOUBLE HEIGHT EXHIBITION SPACES
BELOW
LEVEL 1 PLAN LEVEL 3 PLAN

GROUND PLAN LEVEL 2 PLAN

NORTH ELEVATION

EAST ELEVATION
SECTION THROUGH COURTYARD