Controversy Erupts Over IIM-A’s Call To Raze Iconic Dorms

Ahmedabad: A huge controversy sparked over Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad’s (IIM-A) decision to bring down 18 student dormitories designed by legendary American architect Louis Kahn on the old campus, which is also called “heritage campus”.

The institute is constructing new buildings to replace the old one. The call to replace the old structure built in the 1960s was taken after the buildings suffered structural damage over the years, including the earthquake in 2001.

However, the new structure will accommodate more students in the new hostel complex. Instead of the current capacity of 500 students, the new structure is expected to house 800 student rooms.

The call to bring down the old structure was taken even after Mumbai-based Somaya and Kalappa Consultants (SNK) was working on the restoration of the existing dorms, along with the Vikram Sarabhai Library, the faculty and administrative blocks and the classroom buildings, according to The Indian Express.

The SNK Consultants won the bid in 2014. Last year, the firm also bagged a UNESCO award for the library restoration work.

“I was not aware of the new bid,” one of the founders of SNK, Somaya was quoted as saying by the national daily.