search
  • Mill Owners Association Building (ATMA House): Building A Legacy

    Ahmedabad has a rich history in textile trade from years back. Shortly after independence to escalate the textile industry, Swiss architect Le Corbusier was commissioned by the president of the Mill Owners’ Association to design the organization’s headquarters in Ahmedabad. With the vision of Modern India, Le Corbusier delivered a modern architectural masterpiece that now sits in the city’s heart. 

    Mill Owners’ Association Building, also known as ATMA House, was the first of four buildings Le Corbusier commissioned in Ahmedabad. With his sensitive and creative approach to the city’s context and climate, he developed a new set of architectural elements to address the requirements. Let’s delve into this legacy building in detail through the blog. 

    Mill Owners Association Building (ATMA House): Building A Legacy
    Picture Credit: en.wikipedia.org

    Historical Background

    Le Corbusier was a legendary Swiss architect and city planner, whose designs revolved around functionality and bold expressions. He was one of the pioneers of modern architectural style. The first president invited him to India to design the city planning of Chandigarh, and the mayor of Ahmedabad commissioned him to design four buildings. Reflecting the futuristic vision for the city, Corbusier was set to fulfill it.

    In 1951, when the Mill Owners’ Association proposed setting up its headquarters in Ahmedabad, Le Corbusier aimed to build a masterpiece that resonated with the city’s climate and surrounding context.

    While designing the building, Corbusier considered the user group’s cohesive, collaborative nature. Therefore, the building was required to cater to private and public activities. Following this ideology while constructing in a warm climate, Corbusier introduced certain design elements in the building.

    Architectural Elements:

    The ATMA House is located between Ashram Road on the west and Sabarmati River on the east side. With ample open space around it, the Mill Owners’ Association Building embraced a distinctly modern aesthetic, free from urban constraints.

    Picture Credit: www.flickr.com

    1. Brises-Soleil

    Corbusier introduced Brises-Soleil, also known as perforated screens or louvers, while designing Mill Owners’ Association Building. He incorporated these louvers on the west facade of the building to prevent harsh sunlight from entering. This innovation was inspired by Indian vernacular architecture.

    2. Facade Orientation

    Corbusier designed the louvers in the west to be diagonally oriented and combined with thick concrete walls. This is to obstruct street views while letting indirect light and air enter the building. Here, the facade incorporates planters, allowing the splash of green to enter through the louvers. While on the eastern side of the building, the louvers are perpendicular letting in the cool river breeze in and unhindered views of the river.

    3. Grid vs Curves

    Contradictory to its stark exterior facade and rigid grids in the form, the interior is more inclined towards curvilinear shapes. As, it features slender circular pilotis, convex, and concave volumes. Therefore, as one moves inside the building, one experiences the intersection of curvilinear and orthogonal planes.  A conference room enclosed by curved walls and ceiling that holds a reflecting pool above, which Le Corbusier had hoped to utilize as a roof reservoir.

    4. Building Circulation

    The entrance is led by a ramp extending from the parking to the building opening the indoor views as one approaches. The projected staircase between the main facade and the central atrium conducts the primary circulation. By taking the circulation core in the outer facade, the indoor space is open floorplates.

    5. Material Layering

    Le Corbusier blended reinforced concrete and brick in the construction of the Mill Owners’ Association Building, integrating modern engineering methods with elements of traditional construction. Therefore, this thoughtful selection of materials not only emphasized structural innovation but also paid homage to regional building practices, reflecting the architect’s holistic and context-sensitive approach to design.

    Picture Credit: www.flickr.com

    Conclusion:

    Mill Owners’ Association Building—now an iconic landmark—was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2016. Thus, ATMA House is a symbol of the post-independence modernist movement of Indian architecture. The building stands testament to Corbusier’s design philosophy and timeless elegance now, which one can consider a Building Legacy—a legacy that keeps on inspiring generations to come.

    Content Writing And Research By: Ar. Rajvi Dedakiya

    Coexistence House Sits In Harmony With Nature To Create A Nostalgic Residence | D.L.E.A

    The design of Coexistence House is rooted in the philosophy of living in harmony with nature. The site, located in Perungudi—a rapidly urbanising neighbourhood of Chennai—held a unique character with its mature mango and coconut trees, remnants of an older garden deeply tied to the memory of the place. The client’s deep emotional connection to […]

    Read More

    Modern Materials And Functional Spaces Come Together To Create An Ideal Delhi Home | SSDA Architects

    There are countless options when designing a home; each story is distinct to the person who creates it. “When we were asked to craft a home that revolved around the idea of practicality and modern materials, we decided to create a space that felt contemporary and brought in the idea of nature”, says Ar. Saumya […]

    Read More

    This North-East Facing House Exudes Peace And Quiet In A Noida Neighbourhood | aura architecture studio

    In the dense rhythm of Noida, where homes rise in the hustle of chaos and silence is rare, a slender home offers a pause. The land set its own terms — a north-east-facing house orientation, a mandated front garden, and trees that had stood tall long before the first drawings took shape. Instead of overwriting […]

    Read More

    This Himalayan House Abandoned for 50 Years Now Has A New Identity | Studio Bardo

    Editor’s note – Rarely do we encounter homes where a strong story and context come together so seamlessly. Studio Bardo takes on this challenge with great sensitivity, redesigning an abandoned Himalayan house in the Himalayas into something far more than just a residence. Here, every intervention is rooted in culture, memory, and place—reviving the character […]

    Read More

    A Colonial House in Delhi Is Turning Heads For Its Country Style Grandeur | groupDCA

    Editors’ Note – This colonial house in Delhi carries an ambience of grandeur, infused with the elegance of Victorian-style colonialism. Expansive living, dining, and kitchen areas open into light-filled spaces framed by large glazing that connect seamlessly to the surrounding landscape. Inside, tropical interiors with bold geometry add a contemporary layer of comfort. The residence […]

    Read More

    This Hilltop House in Indore Is Redefining Aesthetically Refined Living | OutsideIn Consultants

    “Hilltop House” is envisioned as a contemporary yet context-sensitive residential project that harmonizes architecture and interior design to create a sanctuary perched on a scenic elevation. The design will respond directly to the topography, climate, and panoramic views, while delivering a highly functional, comfortable, and aesthetically refined living environment. This Hilltop House in Indore Is […]

    Read More

    Golden Accents Stand Out in the Interiors of This Noida Bungalow | Axiom Design Studio

    This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]

    Read More

    Farmhouse Designs in India: 15 Inspiring Styles To Know

    The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]

    Read More

    This Tropical Home Design Features A Striking Sloped Terracotta Roof In Kerala | Vriksha Architects

    Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]

    Read More

    50 Indian Door Design For Main Door To Enhance the Curb Appeal

    The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]

    Read More
  • This Courtyard House Design Draws Inspiration From Vernacular Architecture | A Threshold

    This Luxury House Interior Proves Subtle Tones Radiate Elegance | Design Studio Associates