NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF

FASHION TECHNOLOGY
(NIFT) , DELHI
LITERATURE CASE STUDY
 CONTENTS
TABLE OF
01
PROJECT DETAILS
INTRODUCTION
LOCATION
SITE CONTEXT

02
DESIGN IDEOLOGY
EVOLUTION OF DESIGN
REFERENCES

03
ABOUT THE BUILDING
ORIENTATION
SITE PLANNING

04
ZONING AND MASTER PLAN
BASIC ZONES AND SITE PLAN

05
BUILDING LAYOUT
DIFFERENT BLOCKS AND
FLOOR PLANS
 CONTENTS
TABLE OF
06
CIRCULATION
SECTIONS
HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL CIRCULATION
PARKING

07
MATERIALS USED
STRUCTURE AND
METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

08
AREA SPECIFICATIONS
SITE AREA
TOTAL BUILT UP AREA

09 CONCLUSION
01 ABOUT THE PROJECT
INTRODUCTION
Client - National Institute of Fashion Technology
Principal Architect - B.V Doshi
Structural Consultant -Himanshu Parikh
Site Area - 11650 sq.mt. (i.e approx. 3 acres )
Total Built-up Area - 13570 Sq.mt
Project Cost - 8.5 million
Project Year - 1994
LOCATION
The NIFT Campus Is Located At gulmohar park Near Green
park metro station In New Delhi’s Hauz Khas institutional
area. It is easily accessible from Aurobindo Marg Or Balbir
Saxena Marg.
Nearest metro is hauz khas.
The access is through a plot reserved for zonal green now NIFT CAMPUS
handled to NIFT on the condition that no building shall be
constructed on this part.

ROAD ACCESSIBILITY
LANDMARKS
 N

The building covers almost the entire site leaving very less
green area.
The plan follows the site boundary with a setback of 6m
maintaining its character.
The opening are designed such that they maintain a visual
unity in their form and proportion.
Academic clusters have been grouped together to form units
comprising class rooms, labs, common lobby, and service
spaces.

F.A.R 1

GROUND COVERAGE 25%

BASEMENT UP TO 50% OF TOTAL AREA

MAX.HEIGHT 15M FROM THE GROUND

SITE CONTEXT & LEGAL DETAILS

 DESIGN IDEOLOGY
EVOLUTION OF DESIGN

Doshi’s concept for the building revolves around form-imagery

perception thus providing the building with roots, life and
history. The NIFT campus becomes a village square growing
organically over time to become a theatre, the scene for

02
unfolding drama of day to day life. For the central kund like
court, wide casually aligned steps, water-channels, green areas,
over-looking terraces and bridges emerge as elements of space
making to recreate fashion and design activities.

The campus was divided into different blocks set around a kund
connected to the basement. The solid, semi-open punctured
facades are juxtaposed with variable convex and flat glazed
facade.
With terraces and constantly changing reflected light, the court
and the terraces become an ideal place to discover ever new
settings.
 REFERENCES
ACCORDING TO DOSHI , THE FOLLOWING
REFERENCES HAVE BEEN USED

01 STEP WELLS 02 INDIAN BAZARS

STEPS LEADING TO A WATER BODY THE IDEA OF INTROVERTED INDIAN BAZARS
SURROUNDED BY PLATFORMS AND GALLERIES RELATING TO THE THEATRICAL QUALITY OF
FASHION AND TRADITIONAL CHOWK OR
MOHALLA TO GIVE A SENSE OF
COMMUNITY.

03 KUNDS
THE MAIN DOMINANT FEATURE IN THE
FORMATION OF INSTITUTE DESIGN WHICH
GUIDES THE WAY TO CAMPUS.

IDEA OF KUND ADOPTED

03

SITE PLANNING
The site was a flat land and the levels are all architect’s
creation which has charged overall site contours.
There is a proper segregation of functions as building
blocks are places in certain set of zones which is
determined by the function character of the building
block.
The planning revolves around the two courts- the
sunken cover with a stepped kund and the
amphitheatre. Although apart from the zonal green
there is not any substantial green area to be landscaped,
the institute gives a feeling of richly landscaped
environment.
Two types of circulation pedestrian and vehicular.
An inner road leads to the main car park just outside the
main entrance. This is where the vehicular traffic ends. INNER ROAD
The pedestrian movement within the campus gives a nice LEADING TO
lively feel to the institute. PEDESTRIAN MINOR PARKING
The entry to the campus is from two sides. Front and CIRCULATION
back. VEHICULAR
As one enters to the left is security cabin and front is a CIRCULATION
green patch and the internal road leads to the main
entrance and basement.

ABOUT THE BUILDING

03

ORIENTATION
Building is aligned with its long sides along NW and SE axis,
facilitating good exposure to the sun and breeze.
Different blocks of building complex are placed according to the
site lines. All the peripheral building lines are parallel to the site
lines.
Openings for light and ventilation have been sacrificed for
aesthetic considerations than climatic comfort.
Windows in the academic block have been provided towards
NW and SE resulting in glare and heat in the day.

ABOUT THE BUILDING

04 ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK

DOUBLE HEIGHT
ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK ENTRANCE PORTAL

AMPHITHEATER
AMPHITHEATER HOSTEL BLOCK CENTRAL KUND

ENTRY

CONNECTING BRIDGES ACADEMIC BLOCK

ACADEMIC BLOCKS

CONCEPTUAL LAYOUT OF INSTITUTE

The site is basically divided into three basic zones as

evident from the plan.
Academic block are similar in plan and in function also,
occupies the left portion of the site.
Administrative block along with canteen and library is
in right hand side.
The Hostel block is placed right at the back of the site

ZONING &
HOSTEL BLOCK ACADEMIC BLOCK SUNKEN COURT OR KUND
SERVICE CORES
MASTER PLAN
05
N

BASEMENT PLAN
Pattern making labs and Electrical And Plant Room
yarn-knitting lab in the basement
Basement was planned as
with aluminium partitions
for parking but now covers
storage space , labs and
other services which wasn't
planned before
LEGEND
LABS
STORAGE
ÁREA
Ramp down to the basement which
SERVICES is now used to dump waste
furnitures
VERTICAL
CIRCULATION
HORIZONTAL
Basement is well lighted by using the skylights covered by fibre sheet which can be seen BUILDING LAYOUT
CIRCULATION
in central court
05

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

N Ground Coverage=2892 Sq Mts. (25%)

Administrative Block

Labs In The Way Due To

LEGEND Insufficient Space

CLASSROOMS
LABS

ADMIN BLOCKS
TOILETS
CAFETERÍA
The front court separated
KITCHEN from amphitheatre by terraced
RECEPTION academic wing becomes
The irregular lines of the plot bind the irregularly growing blocks. culturally appr.
HORZ CIRCULATION different blocks acquire different shapes and forms depending upon the and climatically comfortable
functions they are accommodating. outdoor space
VERT CIRCULATION
Permeability of the blocks, due to accessibility from all the sides
AMPHI + COURT makes the site totally traversed.

GREEN
The building blocks are concentrated around the sunken court thus
generating activity and creating lively environment.
BUILDING LAYOUT
05 LABORATORIES

DETAILS
The exterior covers the
activity happening
ACADEMIC BLOCK inside giving privacy
The whole complex forms a vibrant
composition with a double height
entrance to the reception
the academic blocks are connected
through different systems of
circulation overlooking the central
court.
Double height reception with a
large glazed waiting hall and
Fashion design demands
this reception is overlooked
extravagant gaps to handle
through the exhibition area
sprawling fabric and numerous
Academic facilities have been accessories they require larger
provided in the areas joined tables, space for mannequins
together in the form of a cluster so there is a complaint of space due
the cluster comprises of lobby to increase in number of students.
lecture rooms laboratories and
toilets.

LECTURE ROOMS
LEGEND Space in between the labs and toilets
acts as lounge/lobby - an interaction
CLASSROOMS space which is quite large enough so
actual space is being used by the BUILDING LAYOUT
LABS faculty members.
05
AMPHITHEATRE - HUB OF ACTIVITY
Area covered by amphitheater = 319.35 sq.mts.

It is mainly designed to accumulate

DETAILS
the persons for fashion shows as it
helps the students to keep a contact
with the changing friends .
The nift amphitheatre is too much a
topic of controversy and criticism.
it has not been constructed as it was
designed. it was supposed to have the
stage floating in the water body
below.but the direction of the stage
has also been changed, without taking
into consideration the orientation of
the sun, i.e seating of the audience and
stage exchanged their seats during
construction.total seating capacity is
for 300 students ,
Which is not large enough for large
gatherings. it creates an inwardly Front court view with central
bazar, livened up by designed displays bridge separating the court from
and movements of students as well Amphitheatre amphitheatre
as visitors through entire view from
space administrative
block’s balcony
BUILDING LAYOUT
05

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

N

One lift serving both the

Narrow corridor of academic blocks
administration block
with ending up at toilet
blocks on both sides

LEGEND
LANGUAGE &
MODELLING ROOM
Adm. block covers projection
LABS and research office,
administrative office and officers
Labs are south west cabin
TOILETS oriented which is not
good as it causes glare in
ART ROOM the peak time causing
inconvenience to the
EXHIBITION HALL students BUILDING LAYOUT
05
Library and the resource centre share the third floor

SECOND & THIRD FLOOR

Library is used by all the students and outside
people from the industry and profession for
research and reference
N Resource center consists of valuable audio-visual
collection of videotapes slides cds photographs
resource center also comprises of material
collection of textiles costume jewelry and other
related material

THIRD FLOOR

LEGEND

CLASSROOMS SECOND FLOOR

LABS
Information technology is becoming the
TOILETS defining elements of our limits . information
technology is an intrinsic element of all the
DIRECTORS CABIN study programs at nift
AND BOARD ROOM The computer labs are well equipped
hardwares silicon graphic & workstations,
ART ROOM plotters,white format printers, sound
mixers,digital cameras etc.
EXB. HALL all the departments have internet
connections
LIBRARY Nift is authorized training center for
autodesk, usa,canada BUILDING LAYOUT
RESOURCE CENTRE
05
Although apart from the zonal green

LANDSCAPING
there is not any substantial green
area to be landscaped, the institute
gives a feeling of richly landscaped
environment
Site boundary is lined with deciduous
and evergreen trees
Series of high and low platforms , soft
and hard landscaping have been used
in the amphitheatre court

Entrance has been

supplemented with
potted plants and
flowers thereby
giving one a feeling of
being in a natural
environment.

Parking is flanked by greenery with earth

mounds flower beds and trees.

Landscaped cut-out and

BUILDING LAYOUT
In this campus, soft landscape is negligible – environmentally not good.
lawns
 N
06 This Forms Apart Of Informal Circulation

HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL

The circulation on site
from the gate to the point
where the building begins ENTRY
is vehicular
Beyond this , the On entering the
circulation is totally building, the
pedestrian with the play circulation is totally
of levels and interesting
pedestrian through
movement patterns and
landscaping central court leading
P[edestrian movement is to resp. blocks.
not channelized

ENTRY

LEGEND

HORZ CIRC.
Parking chaos created
VERT CIRC. at the entry only

AMPH. A series of high and low platforms, soft Such interactive spaces
and hard landscaping, the space become the centre of
PEDESTRIAN
multiplies as entrance court, central activity during the free
VEHICULAR green, display platform,informal theatre time of the students CIRCULATION
and a visual focus
06 Circulation acting as an

HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL

Circulation forms a major space for channeling. interacting medium
the architect has treated it with a very elaborate
network of corridors,
steps,lobbies,staircases,lounges,bridges and
terraces
A unique experience in going through the bridge
and watching the court below gives the view of all
the happening in the campus
the components of circulation are
three level walkways with a cross breeze flowing
to stand and gaze
staircases evolving out of free flowing cut-outs,
indicative of design forms
staircases leading to the terraces which are
intended to be used by the students during their
leisure time
Open as well as glass screened bridges separating
the court from amphitheatre court not only
remain as movement path but also double up as
the catwalk for the fashion shows which can be
viewed over from the class rooms, corridors,library
as well as the administrative block
total no. of 5 staircases are provided serving the
academic and administration block and 2 lifts,
each in both the wings
CIRCULATION
LABS
06

PARKING
Both covered and open
parking was planned but the
basement is not used for the
purpose and used for the Way to basement being blocked Two wheeler parking Roadside parking in front of
workshop purpose by dumping waste furniture the institute is also done
Surface parking has been
provided along with the
paved access of the building
One side is flanked by staff
car parking and other by
visitor parking

ENTRY
Roadside parking in front of the
LEGEND institute is also done
N
HORZ CIRC.

VERT CIRC.
AMPH.
PEDESTRIAN
VEHICULAR Open paved parking at the entrance CIRCULATION
of the building block
07 FACADE TREATMENT: The building acquires its
overall finish in its outer façade in grey colored grit
CLADDING – Random rubble stone
with jagged grooves breaking up the surfaces. The
masonry on some part of the plinth, walls
exterior although uniformly finished in grit, the
in some places, imported float glass used
interiors come as a surprises, with composition in
as a special material as a non reflecting
white, grey and greens of the court reflected in the
glass used as a complete wall, steel frame Glass as complete wall and Random
glass wall.
screened with reflected glass, and use of rubble stone used for cladding
vibrant colors in the interiors spaces. A grey mass puncture
the undulating surfaces
and the skyline formed
FLOOR FINISH: Different floor finishes are
by steps and terraces
used in different areas. Block granite and
give a unique character
white marble check flooring in reception
to the building
hall, Kota green and Jaisalmer yellow in
Glass screened bridge
corridors, Plain cement floor finish in
classrooms and laboratories, chip flooring
in exhibition hall, stone in open spaces.

WINDOWS: As interesting statement of

synthesis is the jharokhas of traditional Torn paper aesthetics
Variety of
architecture to new materials and
flooring used
expression. in different
spaces.
MATERIALS USED
07

SECTION
This complex is based on frame
structure - square module has
been followed up. ART ROOM
the 7.88mts grid of square
hollow columns (serving as
ducts) works as a vertical LABS
plenum for future air
conditioning and evaporative
cooling systems. BASEMENT
The roofing is done with waffle
slabs ( 1.7m * 1.7m ) thus
providing a column free space Waffle slab
of 6.85 sq. this subdivision used
is a basic module for all the
components of the building the
external thickness of 990mm
acts as an adequate sun CLASS CLASS
LABS LABS
protection for the windows , ROOM ROOM
providing insulation.

LABS LABS

LEGEND
BASEMENT

CLASSROOMS
STRUCTURE
LABS
LABS
08

AREA ANALYSIS
AREA STATEMENT OF THE BUILDING

BASEMENT FLOOR AREA - 5609 sqft

GROUND FLOOR AREA - 3280 sqft
FIRST FLOOR AREA - 4280 sqft
SECOND FLOOR AREA - 4430 sqft
THIRD FLOOR AREA - 2130 sqft

LEGEND

ACADEMIC

ADMINISTRATION

CANTEEN
TOILET
HOSTEL

CIRCULATION

OPEN AREA GROUND AREA

09

CONCLUSION
The idea is to create a relationship between the built & the unbuilt
spaces.
There are evidences of blend of traditional and contemporary
architecture.
Aesthetics are cared for, sometimes at the stake of comfort if not
function.
The site is well-segregated into various zones w.r.t the functions.
circulation spaces are minimised to obtain efficiency in design.
 OUR TEAM
PROJECT BY -

ANLEE DEVA
NISHA GOPINATH Y