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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Nestled within Prakriti Farms, this residence epitomizes rustic farmhouse interior design charm and a deep connection with the natural world. Its elegance lies in its emphasis on elemental materials and its seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. With three bedrooms and a spacious living area, the home was strategically designed in an L shape to […]
House of Heights: How design shapes relationships and well-being? “A house can transform its people. The living room, the tallest space in my home, is where we socialize, express our feelings, and spend the most time—an open arena for life’s conversations. The impact of front elevation design on home and harmony further emphasizes how thoughtful design […]
Spacious, inviting, and intimate, courtyards have an integral place in the vernacular architecture across India. Beyond their climatic purposes, courtyards assume the role of a social space, a space for contemplation, and a space where something happens. Their presence in various forms, proportions, and sizes has been a ubiquitous feature in Indian vernacular architecture. The […]
Located in Bangalore, opposite a large neighborhood park, a set of 4 houses was to be built—one of which was to be the personal house for the client, and the others were to be let out. The intent of these Bangalore homes was to create a quiet presence on the street and evoke a sense of […]
The modern residence integrates contemporary architecture with biophilic design principles, offering a luxurious and nature-connected living experience. The exterior features clean lines, landscaped lawns, and vertical green walls that soften the structure while promoting sustainability. The minimalist contemporary interior designs of this are designed with an open-plan layout, double-height ceilings, and large glass openings, ensuring […]
Some homes are big on square footage but don’t maximize space—and then some compact ones make the most of precious space at a premium. Located in Bangalore, this 3,000 sq. ft. villa interior design exemplifies this residential project, exploring staggered volumes that led to creating spaces at multiple levels, including a mezzanine floor. As per […]
In the heart of Gurugram, where the city’s energy pulses with both hard work and hard play, a 2600 sq. ft. rooftop terrace design has been transformed into the ultimate hangout spot. Designed for the young and the young at heart, this terrace captures the spirit of a city that knows how to balance the […]
In the vibrant town of Kannur, Kerala, the contemporary house design of this residence is more than a home—it’s a sanctuary designed to nurture both body and soul. Built for a family of five, it blends minimalist elegance with everyday comfort, creating a space that feels alive, welcoming, and deeply connected to nature. Editor’s Note: […]
The one-acre site of Saukhya Farm is nestled in the lush valley of Beze Village, on the outskirts of Nashik. Surrounded by small farms, it offers sweeping views of Beze Dam and the surrounding hills. The clients’ brief was to transform the site into a farmhouse and to cultivate part of it into an orchard. Work […]
Nestled on the bustling Karnavati Road in Ahmedabad, this modern residence spans over a 10,881 sq. ft. corner plot, seamlessly integrating form, function, and tranquility. The house is thoughtfully planned in an L-shaped configuration of this house design, with its entry oriented to the east and a lush garden strategically placed in the southwest corner […]