Ahmedabad Town Hall

Ahmedabad Town Hall, officially Sheth Mangaldas Girdhardas Memorial Hall, is a municipal building in Ahmedabad, India. The town hall is named after the Mangaldas Girdhardas, a noted textile industrialists in 20th century.[2]

Ahmedabad Town Hall
Ahmedabad Town Hall, in 2014
Alternative namesSheth Mangaldas Girdhardas Memorial Hall
General information
TypeTown hall
Architectural styleArt Deco with inspirations from Gujarati Hindu temples
LocationAhmedabad
Gujarat
India
AddressNr. Ellisbridge, Paldi, Ahmedabad
Town or cityAhmedabad
CountryIndia
Coordinates23.022687°N 72.570813°E / 23.022687; 72.570813
Construction started1936[1]
Estimated completion1938
Renovated1960s, 1997-98
OwnerAmdavad Municipal Corporation
Technical details
MaterialBrick Wall, Concrete Dome
Floor count2
Design and construction
ArchitectClaude Batley
Renovating team
ArchitectKamal Mangaldas
Structural engineerDevendra Shah

History

The town hall was constructed in 1930s as a memorial to Mangaldas Girdhardas, a noted textile industrialists in 20th century, with funds donated by the citizens. It is owned by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.[3]

It was renovated in 1960s under B. V. Doshi. He had opted for a false ceiling for better acoustics.[3]

Extensive renovation was carried out in 1997-98 under architect Kamal Mangaldas, a grandson of Mangaldas Girdhardas. He removed the false ceiling and added a podium around the original building.[3]

Architecture

The town hall was designed by British architect Claude Batley in 1939 along the M. J. Library next to it.[4][5]

It is an example of Art Deco building.[3] The plan of the building is designed by using two rotating squares placed at 45 degree forming a star-shape building. The resulting octagonal space is designed as a seating area. The rectanges are added to the front and rear of the central square which formed a vestibule and a stage respectively. The star-shaped building was capped by a dome on an octagonal space. The whole plan takes inspiration from the mandapas of Gujarati Hindu temples. The exterior has exposed bricks with stepped back corners invoking complex exterior of Hindu temples.[5]

The thick walls were constructed from bricks and a octagonal concrete dome was constructed over it. The Chajja and ornate grills in the structure show influence of Gujarati architectural heritage.[6]

References
  1. Jon T. Lang (2002). A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India. Orient Blackswan. p. 18. ISBN 9788178240176.
  2. "Colonial Architecture - A Complete Ahmedabad City Guide by Dr. Manek Patel". www.welcometoahmedabad.com. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  3. "Sheth Mangaldas Town Hall | Kamal Mangaldas Architect". kamalmangaldas.net. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  4. Achyut Yagnik (2011). Ahmedabad: From Royal city to Megacity. Penguin UK. ISBN 9788184754735.
  5. Williamson, Daniel (2016). "Modern Architecture and Capitalist Patronage in Ahmedabad, India 1947-1969". ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. New York University. pp. 288–291. Retrieved 2020-05-22 – via ProQuest.
  6. India: Modern Architectures in History. Reaktion Books, 2015. 2015. p. 100. ISBN 9781780234687.

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