Post by Shormila Gupta Junak, FCA

The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) saga: Can an institution grow without losing part of its soul? The intense debate over the redevelopment of the iconic Louis Kahn dormitories at the IIM Ahmedabad campus into modern concrete buildings is about far more than architecture. It is about how institutions balance heritage with progress. On one hand lies an architectural masterpiece designed to foster community and lifelong friendships through light, space and human interaction. On the other hand, the responsibility to accommodate a much larger and more diverse student body, provide contemporary facilities and meet the expectations of today’s students and parents. Should an institution preserve an irreplaceable legacy, even if it partially limits expansion? Or should it prioritise access, inclusion and functionality, even if that changes the unique character of a globally admired campus? In my article, I explore both perspectives. I’d be interested in hearing where you stand. What do you think? What should great institutions optimise for: memory or modernity, heritage or pragmatism? Or is there a way to honour both? #IIMA #LouisKahn #Architecture #HeritageConservation #HigherEducation #CampusDesign #Leadership #UrbanDesign #InstitutionBuilding #PublicPolicy #DesignThinking #India #BimalPatel #ManagementEducation https://lnkd.in/gzDCe6Ct