December 31st, 2020

Prof. Dr Errol D SouzaDirector

Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
Sargam Marg, Vastrapur,
Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380 015
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

copy: [email protected]

Dear Dr.Errol,

Ref: Recognise Louis Kahn Dormitories and IIM, Ahmedabad as Universal Heritage

We received information from the news that IIM, Ahmedabad had proposed to demolish the dormitories designed by Louis Kahn - in collaboration with Pritzker Laureate, B.V.Doshi. This is a project of seminal Universal value for Modern Architecture, both in India and the world. We hear that temporarily now, the Institute has decided not to go ahead. We are very relieved with this decision.

We, however, request the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad to consider recognising the Louis Kahn buildings and precinct, as a Universal Heritage (on par with Le Corbusier projects in Chandigarh). As the inner city of Ahmedabad has been declared a prestigious UNESCO Heritage City, IIM could enrich this, by listing and recognising its own heritage value, like Venice and Paris and many other significant places.

We hope the institution announces the restoration, repurposing to contemporary needs and conservation of the entire Louis Kahn campus based on its unique, educational, cultural and heritage value.

There are several examples of similar Universities, who have bridged the prospects of both restoring its Heritage as well as addressing the requirements of contemporary university needs by re-purposing the buildings sensitively. We are aware that such restoration projects can be challenging, however it has always been rewarding: culturally, historically and economically, if it is done with care and holistically, to meet contemporary needs. There are many international examples as well as restoration guidelines, to assist.

We have also been given to understand that your restoration of the Vikram Sarabhai Library has been appreciated by UNESCO for its efforts in conservation and received International awards as well. We hope that IIM will continue its earlier efforts and proposal to conserve the entire heritage project. IIM has always been respected around the world for its heritage campus, its high standards of excellence, its illustrious faculty and students.

The restoration, renewal and sensitive re-purposing of the dormitories and entire Louis Kahn campus could become a very significant example for the rest of the world, on respecting history as well as addressing contemporary needs.

We support the call by the President of the Council of Architecture, India to save the dormitories and the Louis Kahn campus, since the project is of great significance to the history of Architecture and human society.

Sincerely,

Massimiliano Fuksas and Doriana Mandrelli
Piazza del Monte di Pietà 30, 00185, Rome
[email protected]