HUMANE ARCHITECTURE: Campus Design by Sarbjit Bahga PDF

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1 About the book Author: Gurdeep Kaur Language: English ISBN: 978-1493548767 Size: 7”x10” Pages: 84 Photographs: 74 (Coloured) Illustrations: 14 Publisher: White Falcon Publishing Available: www.amazon.com Link: http://amzn.to/1q2BCab “HUMANE ARCHITECTURE : Campus Design by Sarbjit Bahga” is a monol...

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About the book Author: Gurdeep Kaur Language: English ISBN: 978-1493548767 Size: 7”x10” Pages: 84 Photographs: 74 (Coloured) Illustrations: 14 Publisher: White Falcon Publishing Available: www.amazon.com Link: http://amzn.to/1q2BCab

“HUMANE ARCHITECTURE : Campus Design by Sarbjit Bahga” is a monologue on the planning, architecture and design of Vidya Sagar Institute of Mental Health, Amritsar, Punjab, India designed by Architect Sarbjit Bahga. This book describes the challenges in designing a mental hospital and the experiences of the architect. Vidya Sagar Institute of Mental Health (VSIMH) which was earlier known as the Government Mental Hospital, Amritsar was established in 1948. The new complex replaced the old one in 2003 when its condition gradually deteriorated to the most inhumane level. The hospital campus for the insane is located on a 47-acre (19-hectare) plot in the heart of the city of Amritsar. The state-of-the-art new hospital is a unique model in itself with respect to its planning and architecture. The designing of such a hospital was a gigantic task for the architect, especially when no such prototype existed in India prior to its establishment. The architect and his team of advisors evolved an indigenous model which fulfils the requirements of its inhabitants and suits to the local conditions as well. All the building blocks in the campus have been laid out on a strict Cartesian pattern with symmetrical juxtaposition reminiscent of traditional Indian campuses. The building masses and open spaces are ingeniously interwoven to create a “building-in-the garden’ effect. The entire hospital complex has been linked by vaulted corridor running independently through the open spaces with greenery on both sides. This 1018-metre long connecting corridor is the largest in the world and thus has entered into the Guinness World Records under the category-“Longest covered concrete corridor”. Thus keeping in view the uniqueness of the campus, the author decided to compile a befitting treatise on it. The book starts with Matthew Lowther’s statement, “… When building and user begins to develop an almost subconscious dialogue we have the beginning of Humane Architecture. … Humane Architecture is concerned with the live experience of form; a sympathetic architecture which guides people through life in a more comfortable and less inhibited way.” The above statement is perhaps the best description of the design of the campus of VSIMH.

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The book is divided into various sections: Section-1, Historical Background of Mental Hospitals in India describes briefly the history of modern psychiatry in Indian sub-continent since 1600 AD. Section-2, The Institute Complex describes the history of Government Mental Hospital at Amritsar since its inception in 1948. Besides it dwells on its journey through difficult phases which ultimately culminates at the conception of a new complex. This section also throws light on the indigenously evolved model of the new complex and its scope of work. Section-3, Architectural Interpretation of the Client’s Brief explains the architect’s conception of various spaces and his interpretation of client’s brief given by the Advisory Committee. This discusses the special needs of the psychiatric patients and the way these needs have been catered to in the new complex. The explanation is supported by drawings and photographs of the complex. The subsequent Sections 4 to 11 dwells on various components of the complex i.e., OPD-cumAdministrative Wing, Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Inpatient Units, Voluntary Unit, Shopping Arcade and Cafeteria, The Sarai Building, Kitchen/Laundry Block besides Other Infrastructure. Each section explains the planning and design concept of each unit with appropriate illustrations. Sections 12 and 13 dwell on the Structural Systems and Specifications adopted in this complex. Section-14, Gallery of Campus Life is perhaps the most explanatory part of the campus. It includes only the pictures which throw light on life and environs inside the campus. From this pictorial presentation, one can judge the uniqueness of the campus. Towards the end, Appendix A & B include the architect Sarbjit Bahga’s biographical note and explain his Architecture, Philosophy of Building Design, Work Ethics, and Design Methodology. “HUMANE ARCHITECTURE: Campus Design by Sarbjit Bahga” is a unique treatise which focuses on its subject in a sharp manner. It is recommended that every architect, urban designer, planner, engineer, landscape architect and hospital administrator and the students of these disciplines must go through it in order to have a better understanding of how a unique and indigenous model can be evolved for a unique problem.

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