Marked as UNESCO’s First World Heritage site, Ahmedabad has a long alley of buildings ranging from ancient to very modern. Ever since its existence for over 600 years, it has been a melting pot of various cultures. The rich architectural heritage of Ahmedabad, from the fort to mosques, bridges to waterside monuments are testimony to the fact of how the city’s heritage has matured over the centuries. Starting from the City’s Rulers like Ahmed Shah to the European Architects like Louis Khan, all of them have placed their strong footprint through the language of architecture in the city.
1. Jama Masjid
Standing during the reign of Sultan Ahmed Shah, Jama Masjid happens to be on the top of the checklist for the architects. Built during 1423, Jama Masjid marks the place for the Muslims of Ahmedabad to gather for Friday prayers. With fine carvings on 260 pillars and yellow sandstone, it resembles the grandeur of the Bhadra Fort. This mosque is the combination of both Hindu and Islamic architectural styles.
2. Jhulta Minar
Often termed as ‘Shaking Minarets’ is a must-visit place for architecture history enthusiasts. It will make us rethink in our scientific minds when the shaking of one makes the other vibrate too within seconds. It becomes worth visiting and witnessing this mystery.
3. Rani No Hajiro
‘Rani no Hajiro’ meaning ‘Queens Tomb’ holds the graves of the queen consorts of Ahmed Shah. Juxtaposing the chaotic nature of the city, what marks this place is for the calmness it offers. Unlike other tombs, the graves here are not placed in the closed tomb, but in the open courtyard. This place portrays the beautiful coming of Jain, Hindu, and Islamic aesthetic influences.
4. Bhadra Fort
A popular place to visit, this form has numerous stories embedded in its walls. Having a temple named ‘Bhadrakali Fort’; inside from where the fort got its name, have stories of Goddesses where people strongly relate to.
5. Sarkhej Roza
Portraying Islamic Architecture, this place has a group of tombs and pillars that make up the beautiful complex of Sarkhej Roza. Built around the artificial body called Sarkhej Lake, it follows the Islamic architecture principles and has become the architectural attraction of the city. It has Hindu motifs and brackets and pillars of Islamic elements.
6. Pols of Ahmedabad
Tightly packed rows and blocks of houses, with each having secret entrances helps us to imagine the diversity of people they reside in. Going inside houses through one of the secret doorways is quite an experience. The architectural style of pols is a mix of many elements, with some having a Peshwa symbol at the entrance while another sporting a Persian style grapevine carving on its façade.
7. Sabarmati Ashram Museum
Portraying an epitome of simplicity and tranquillity, the Sabarmati Ashram museum is a place for peace and calm. Designed by Charles Correa, this is a place to see Gandhiji’s art gallery and a library with almost 35 thousand books. His literature, paintings, and artifacts are the treasure trove if one wants to learn about the life, family, and revolutionary ways of Gandhi.
8. Sanskar Kendra
The Indian cultural centre in Ahmedabad, which houses 2 museums famous for its building designed by renowned architect Le Corbusier. What makes the worth to visit is the strategies and the aesthetic the building offers.
9. IIM Ahmedabad
Last work of Louis Khan which envisions a new, modern insert in the rich cultural city like Ahmedabad. This building sets an example of how the classroom becomes a formal setting for the beginning of learning and the hallways and plaza’s become the new centres of learning. With the make of this building, it opened up the boundaries for the people to think again about the setting of education in the city.
10. CEPT University
Designed by Pritzker award winner, Ar. B.V. Doshi, the School Of Architecture, CEPT University is one of the best works in his career timeline. Made with exposed brick and concrete, this university sets an example of how education and knowledge are not limited to the classrooms, but also to open and semi-open spaces.
11. Sangath Studio
The studio of Ar.B.V. Doshi is a place of visit. The studio is immersed half into the ground and is made from all the sustainable materials making it a timeless piece of architecture. It makes us think about the traditional setup of offices and stretching our boundaries on the basic functions.
12. Mill Owner’s Association Building
Le Corbusier is the protagonist of the modernist movement, his concepts in architecture were revolutionary. The response to the vernacular climate, culture, and sensitivity towards material aesthetics was very different as compared to others and this building has it all.
13. Villa Shodhan
Also known as ‘Indian Villa Savoye’; this residential insert involves the rise of brise soleil and parasol which were strictly climate-responsive, to its nature and imparted a new identity to the industrial materials like concrete.
14. Amdavad ni gufa
Another name as ‘Hussain-Doshi Gufa’ is designed to show how art and architecture go hand in hand. The intimate spaces of the Gufa have the largest painting of Maqbool Fida Hussain and have the experimental use of ferrocement for its structure.
15. NID Ahmedabad
Humane, Grounded, and Friendly. The campus of NID is completely landscaped, having sit-outs on various levels and open-spaces which are acting as buffers on different scales. It makes it a place to visit as with time, it looks to merge with the landscape of its surroundings.
