This article was published in the Baroda Times Supplement of Times of India on 13th October 1998 while I was a Visiting Faculty Member at the Department of Architecture, MSU.
What can an alumni association possibly do for its alma mater? The Kalabhavan Architects Alumni Foundation of Baroda have decided to donate and construct an entire campus of Buildings for the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, M. S. University, Baroda. In the last stages of construction, the first building abutting the D. N. Hall is awaiting inauguration in November ’98 at the hands of the UGC Chairman.
“KAAF, Kalabhavan Architects Alumni Foundation is a voluntary organization established in 1991. Late Prof. Achwal, Prof. Suryakant Patel, Late Prof. Chhadua and Prof. S.V. Deshpande visualized the necessity for such an organization in 1970. Our objectives are to assist the Department of Architecture to evolve into a Faculty in the M.S.University of Baroda. Simultaneously, the effort is to provide relevantly designed built-environment for architectural education. As an added advantage, such a place would help create a forum for interaction between practicing architects, students and the allied profession.” Says Architect Dhirubhai Patel, an eminent professional and President of the Alumni foundation. Architect Arun Shah, Secretary, KAAF said, “Selfless and dynamic architect-members have made tremendous efforts since 1991. After numerous meetings and representations with M.S.University Authority, the 2.8 Acres of land near the D. N. Hall & the Hall itself in Pratapgunj was allotted to us for the new building for the Department of Architecture. Prof. Rama Reddy, who was the Chairman of U.G.C., Delhi, laid the foundation stone in 1992. He was very appreciative of the Alumni getting together to help its Alma Mater. This is a unique happening in the history of academic world in India.”
For a project, which would cost at least a crore, the KAAF is confident of realising the amount. “After the building is occupied, we are expecting greater participation from our members in completing this venture. The KAAF member-architects and the fraternity of builders have given ample monetary contributions to this endeavor. In addition, the foundation has been organizing exhibitions on building materials every year. A respectable amount was deposited with the University towards building fund. The first phase is progressing as planned. By now, the work is almost complete.” Says Dhirubhai.
Building for their own community of professionals the KAAF have chosen a committee of architects headed by A. M. Shirgaokar to evolve the design. Mrs. Padma Ramchandran, then Vice Chancellor of the M. S. University of Baroda, performed the “Bhoomi Pooja” on 7 March 1996.
Speaking about his contribution to the KAAF, Shirgaokar says, "Designing with a team of architects of KAAF, the prime challenge was to achieve a level of completeness at every phase. Designed as raised plinths connecting to terraces and inter-locked courtyards, pedestrian movement through the design is the backbone on which the diverse buildings are organized. The building itself should be an educational aid for the students. We have exploited all Construction orders - different types of masonry walls, arches, several spanning elements.
The design does not disturb the ambience created by the old building, which was a hostel block. I believe the students of architecture should get an environment with a distinctive character because this reflects in their work."
Complementing the effort made by the KAAF, Vijay Matai, Reader, Department of Architecture and a practicing Architect says, “Leading Architects of the city have gone out of the way in assisting the KAAF in every way possible. We are absolutely overwhelmed by this unique gesture.”
What can an alumni association possibly do for its alma mater? The Kalabhavan Architects Alumni Foundation of Baroda have decided to donate and construct an entire campus of Buildings for the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, M. S. University, Baroda. In the last stages of construction, the first building abutting the D. N. Hall is awaiting inauguration in November ’98 at the hands of the UGC Chairman.
“KAAF, Kalabhavan Architects Alumni Foundation is a voluntary organization established in 1991. Late Prof. Achwal, Prof. Suryakant Patel, Late Prof. Chhadua and Prof. S.V. Deshpande visualized the necessity for such an organization in 1970. Our objectives are to assist the Department of Architecture to evolve into a Faculty in the M.S.University of Baroda. Simultaneously, the effort is to provide relevantly designed built-environment for architectural education. As an added advantage, such a place would help create a forum for interaction between practicing architects, students and the allied profession.” Says Architect Dhirubhai Patel, an eminent professional and President of the Alumni foundation. Architect Arun Shah, Secretary, KAAF said, “Selfless and dynamic architect-members have made tremendous efforts since 1991. After numerous meetings and representations with M.S.University Authority, the 2.8 Acres of land near the D. N. Hall & the Hall itself in Pratapgunj was allotted to us for the new building for the Department of Architecture. Prof. Rama Reddy, who was the Chairman of U.G.C., Delhi, laid the foundation stone in 1992. He was very appreciative of the Alumni getting together to help its Alma Mater. This is a unique happening in the history of academic world in India.”
For a project, which would cost at least a crore, the KAAF is confident of realising the amount. “After the building is occupied, we are expecting greater participation from our members in completing this venture. The KAAF member-architects and the fraternity of builders have given ample monetary contributions to this endeavor. In addition, the foundation has been organizing exhibitions on building materials every year. A respectable amount was deposited with the University towards building fund. The first phase is progressing as planned. By now, the work is almost complete.” Says Dhirubhai.
Building for their own community of professionals the KAAF have chosen a committee of architects headed by A. M. Shirgaokar to evolve the design. Mrs. Padma Ramchandran, then Vice Chancellor of the M. S. University of Baroda, performed the “Bhoomi Pooja” on 7 March 1996.
Speaking about his contribution to the KAAF, Shirgaokar says, "Designing with a team of architects of KAAF, the prime challenge was to achieve a level of completeness at every phase. Designed as raised plinths connecting to terraces and inter-locked courtyards, pedestrian movement through the design is the backbone on which the diverse buildings are organized. The building itself should be an educational aid for the students. We have exploited all Construction orders - different types of masonry walls, arches, several spanning elements.
The design does not disturb the ambience created by the old building, which was a hostel block. I believe the students of architecture should get an environment with a distinctive character because this reflects in their work."
Complementing the effort made by the KAAF, Vijay Matai, Reader, Department of Architecture and a practicing Architect says, “Leading Architects of the city have gone out of the way in assisting the KAAF in every way possible. We are absolutely overwhelmed by this unique gesture.”
No comments:
Post a Comment