An Architect’s Studio, AhmedabadBy B.V. Doshi

SANGATH

Architect: B.V. DoshiLocation: Thaltej

Road,AhmedabadPeriod of Const. : 1979-1981Project Engineer: B.S. Jethwa, Y.PatelSite Area: 2346 m2

Total Built-up Area:

585 m2

Project Cost: 0.6

Million

o 23.02°N 72.58 °Eo Avg. Summer

max: 41 °Cmin: 27 °C

o Cold northerly winds are responsible for a mild chill in January.

o Avg. Annual Rainfall: 800mm

o Highest temp. recorded: 48.5 °C

HOT & DRY

o Receptiono Interaction

Spaceso Design Studioo Workshopo Libraryo Conference

Roomo Ancillary Spaces

Functional Areas

Minimizing Solar Radiation on South and West side : The structure is closely integrated with the outdoor spaces. Vegetation on site is almost left to grow into wilderness. The West and South façade is shaded by dense trees.

Site Planning:

Maximizing Wind Flow :Wind from West and South-West side is taken in by juxtapositioning structures so as to create a central open space through which wind can flow unobstructed.

Site Planning:

Vaulted Roof FormThe roof form creates an efficient surface volume/ratio optimizing material quantities.

Higher Space Volumeprovides for hot air pockets due to convective currents that keep lower volumes relatively cool.

The Structure

Stack Effect

Ventilating window at

upper volume releases the accumulated

hot air through pressure

difference.

InsulationBuilding is largely buried under ground to use earth masses for natural insulation.External walls of the building are nearly a meter deep but have been hollowed out as alcoves to provide storage that becomes an insulative wall with efficiency of space.

LightingIndirect LightingoUpper Level Large Openings - Facing North.oSkylights as projected masses from the roof. oSmall cut-outs on roof slab filled with hollow glass blocks.

ConstructionTechniqueLocally made clay fuses over the concrete slab to form a non-conductive layer.The clay fuses entrap air. Known as sandwich vault.3.5 cm thick  RCC8 cm ceramic fuses3.5 cm thick RCC6 cm thick water proofing1 cm thick broken China mosaic finish

Finishes The concrete of slabs and wall surfaces are kept bare (unplastered) as final visual finishes which saves on finishing material quantity.China mosaic glazed tiles enhances insulation. Retard heat transmission as they are made up of clay.

Use of Waste MaterialPaving material is a stone chip waste while roof surface is glazed tiles waste. They have been carefully handcrafted and integrated into the design by fully using the waste products, which also promotes craftsmen and traditional heritage.

Water channels:

Rainwater and Overflow of pumped water from the roof tank are harnessed through roof channels that run through a series of cascading tanks and water channels to finally culminate in a pond form which it is recycled back or used for irrigating vegetation.

A temperature difference of about 8°CTime lag for heat transfer is nearly 6

hours30% to 50% reduction in cooling energy

Performance

Waste material reuseWater Recycling10% saving in cost through lack of

finishes.

Performance

Thank You!