What Architecture is to me?: Ahmadabad a college trip [Part- 3]

Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya

Entire Ashram site plan

Site plan for Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya

Site Location and hierarchy- Sabarmati Ashram is located along the west bank of the Sabarmati River on the Ashram Road. (click here to view it on Google Maps)

Client- Sabarmati Ashram Trust which was established in 1951

Architect- Charles Correa

Site Analysis- First Ashram was established in Kochrab area in 1915. It was shifted to this 36 acres site near river Sabarmati adjacent to British prison and a graveyard. WHY??. The Museum is covering an area of 0.55 acres.

Building Type- Culture and Entertainment [Memorial Museum]

Ideology- To preserve the essence of life which Mahatma Gandhi carried (religious community life reflecting the simplicity of a village life having prayer as the main source of strength) and preserving his teachings.

Section showing the
grids of Modularity

Concept- Historic Home of Gandhi which acts as a memorial, centre for Gandhian scholars.

Structural System- Square units of 6 m span has 0.92 m load bearing brick columns that support RCC channels (beams and rainfall conduits) which further supports wooden roof making it flexible for future additions because of its Modularity. The wall widths were varying from 0.3 m to 0.45 m. The foundation is of concrete and is raised about a foot from the ground.

Site Section and Elevation for
Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya

Facade- A pattern of tiled roof, in a typology analogous to a village. There was no use of glass but wooden louvers as the medium of light and air to flow in the structure. The interiors had a different approach to transparency. Stone flooring, wooden doors and brick walls were used in the interiors.

Facade at the entrance embracing the Three Monkeys

View of the shallow pool and the inside facade embracing
the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi out of Silver film.

Wooden Roof

RCC Channels

Seats between the columns

Use of wide columns as display area

Showing the connection of brick column
with beam and stone floor

An organisation of Gandhi's work this best was dazzling to my eye's. The column's bore statements and some memorable pictures of the legend. Here are some of the quotes that I found extremely useful.