Ref: letters attached

Prof  Dr Errol D Souza  

Director IIMA
Sangam Marg , Vastrapur
Ahmedabad  380015

4 January 2021

Dear Dr Errol D Souza,

The proposal to demolish the IIM dormitories designed by Louis Kahn in collaboration with B V Doshi had surprised the architectural community, IIM Alumni, historians and several others. In this context, several architects from around the world, have written to us to support IIMs efforts to restore and conserve the Louis Kahn precinct. 

In response, the withdrawal of the proposal to demolish by IIM,  Ahmedabad has been well received both in India as well as the rest of the world, where Louis Kahn's design has been recognised as 20th Century heritage and of Universal value. 

Response from International architectural fraternity:

In response to the request from the architects community including Pritzker Prize laureates, IIM alumni and the Council of Architecture,- several architects have requested us to convey their support to IIM - to sustain the efforts and continue the restoration, simultaneously addressing its contemporary needs and norms.

Enclosed are the letters of support for the IIM restoration plan (avoiding demolition) -  Steven Holl (New York), Jose Oubrerie, Eric Moss, Francois Chaslin, Myrto Vitart (Paris), Jean Marc-Ibos (Paris), Dr Alexander Tzonis and Liane Lefaivre.

UNESCO Award to IIM restoration

While recognising the intrinsic challenges and complexities of restoration, the UNESCO Award to the IIM has indicated the promise of respecting both - its unique heritage value as well as meeting its contemporary institutional requirements.

We look forward to IIM continuing the restoration plan for the Louis Kahn precinct and buildings, with the spirit of excellence that we have admired and which has epitomised IIM, since its inception.  

Thanking you

Sincerely,

Durganand Balsavar

Architect
Chennai - India
600 031

(Mail copied to President-Council of Architecture)  

This document embeds …

Rich, Peter. From Peter Rich to President, Council of Architecture In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others., 2021.
Lacaton, Anne. Ref: Recognise Louis Kahn Dormitories and IIM, Ahmedabad as Universal Heritage In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. Paris, 2020.

Letters from International Community in response to a call by the Council of Architecture (India)

Lefaivre, Liane, and Alexander Tzonis. Save Louis Kahn Dormitories at IIM, Ahmedabad In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. Paris, 2021.
Holl, Steven. To President, Council of Architecture In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. New York, 2020.
Vitart, Myrto. Recognise Louis Kahn Dormitories and IIM, Ahmedabad as Universal Heritage In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. Paris, 2021.
Ibos, Jean Marc. Recognise Louis Kahn Dormitories and IIM, Ahmedabad as Universal Heritage In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. Paris, 2021.
Moss, Eric Owen. Save IIM Dormitories, Ahmedabad In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. Culver City, CA, 2021.
Fuksas, Massimiliano, and Doriana Mandrelli. Letters from International Community in response to a call by the Council of Architecture (India) In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. Rome, 2020.
Oubrerie, Jose. Save Louis Kahn Dormitories at IIM, Ahmedabad In IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. United States, 2021.
Chaslin, François. Save Louis Kahn Dormitories at IIM, Ahmedabad In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. Paris, 2021.
Smith, Jeremy. From Jeremy Smith to Director, IIM Ahmedabad on 5th January In Letters urging the IIM, Ahmedabad to sustain the restoration process to preserve the works of Louis I. Kahn and others. New Zealand, 2021.