Sanskar Kendra
About the location: The industrial aesthetic of bricks and bare walls of Sanskar Kendra is immediately recognisable as the signature style of Le Corbusier. The great modernist architect spent many years of his life here, shaping several public and private establishments. On the ground floor are the permanent exhibits of the Kite Museum with information about the past and current status of kite flying, a sport loved by the Gujaratis. The video clip that plays on a television is only 5 minutes long and highly recommended.
Brief History: Built in April 1954, the museum was the architectural brainchild of Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, and was christened the ‘Museum of Knowledge’ during designing. Till date, the museum rests on his signature pillars that are 11 feet high. The building was originally a part of a large complex of Cultural Centre of Ahmedabad, which had separate areas for different subjects like anthropology, natural history, archaeology, monumental sculptures, workshops and depots and folklores in open air.
Modernist architecture : It rests on his signature pilotis, that are 3.4 metres (11 ft) high there. The building’s exterior is of plain brick with exposed elements of raw concrete (Béton brut) structure. The structural grid is 7 metres (23 ft).
The building is designed to protect against the hot climate. On the roof there are several large basins originally intended as planters. One enters from underneath the building where there is an open court with a large pool and a ramp that leads to the exhibition spaces. The interior spaces are finished in plaster.
The museum is similar to other museum projects by Le Corbusier, such as the “Museum of unlimited extension” project, the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, and the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Chandigarh, in that the plan is based on a spiral and is designed to be expanded.
Collections : Museum have various sections related to history of city, art, photography, Mahatma Gandhi, Indian independence struggle, various religious communities of Ahmedabad. It houses the tallest incense stick of the world of 4.5 m. The building includes a Kite Museum, which includes a collection of kites, photographs, and other artifacts.
Foundation block of Ellis Bridge was moved to Sanskar Kendra. It reads:
“The Ellis Bridge – So named by Government after Sir Barrow Helbert Ellis : K.G.S.I. was built in 1869 and 1870. At a cost of Rs:549,210 destroyed by the great flood of 22nd September 1875 and rebuilt in 1890 and 1895 by Government, Local Bodies and Private Subscribers. At a further cost of Rs. 407564. This the First Stone of the new bridge was laid by His Excellency Donald James eleventh Lord Reay C.C.I.E.LL.D. Governor of Bombay December 19th, 1889.”
How to get there
By Road: Gujarat has one of the better-developed road networks in India. Ahmedabad is well connected with all major cities and towns by road. Prominent bus stops are located at Gitamandir near Kalupur Railway Station and Paldi. Regular bus services are available by Gujarat state transport buses and private operators to all the major destinations of the state.
By Rail: The main railway station is located in the Kalupur area. This station falls under the prominent national railway circuit and is connected to all major cities of India. If you are on the western side of the Sabarmati river, then you can go to the Gandhigram station near Ashram road to buy your railway tickets easily.
By Air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport at Ahmedabad is an international airport with direct flights to USA, UK, Singapore, Dubai and other international hubs. Numerous domestic flights are also operational from here.
