By World Monuments Fund
Getty Foundation
This project is a collaboration between the World Monuments Fund (WMF), the Getty Foundation’s Keeping It Modern Initiative, and the Amdavad Municipal Corporation.
Aerial view of Patel Stadium Patel StadiumWorld Monuments Fund
Collaboration Overview
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, located in Ahmedabad, India, was included on the 2020 World Monuments Watch to draw attention to the complex challenges of preserving not only an iconic twentieth-century modern structure but an emblematic public space for the people.
In July 2020, the Getty Foundation acknowledged SVP Stadium as a significant twentieth-century building in the world, including it in their Keeping It Modern initiative.
The outcome was a Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the stadium that was stewarded by WMF in collaboration with the Getty Foundation and the Amdavad Municipal Corporation.
Introducing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium
Ahmedabad's SVP Stadium represents the progressive ideals and experimental spirit that characterized India’s post-independence period. This premiere cricket stadium was designed in the 1960s by renowned architect Charles Correa and exceptionally talented engineer Mahendra Raj.
Timeline of SVP Stadium (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan)World Monuments Fund
01 CRICKET
The history of cricket in Ahmedabad dates to the nineteenth century, with the first cricket ground having been established at Gujarat College in 1845. At this time, Indian cricket teams began to have players from all backgrounds that cut across religion, class, and caste.
Phiroze Palia and Mushtaq Ali, 1936 by Unknown, Wikimedia CommonsWorld Monuments Fund
Domestic matches became more frequent as the popularity of cricket in Ahmedabad increased from the 1930s onwards. As a result, a series of Indian cricket clubs were created and the need for India’s first stadium capable of hosting international matches emerged.
View of a cricket match seen from the media box (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by WMFWorld Monuments Fund
In 1960, Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) received a government grant to construct the stadium, making it the first in India to host international matches. SVP Stadium continues to function as an important training ground and recreational hub for the local community.
02 DESIGN
India’s independence from colonial rule in 1947 provided an impetus for building activity. Under the first Prime Minister, architecture was emphasized as a way to express the vision of a modern India, of which SVP Stadium is a significant example.
Twentieth Century Architecture in Ahmedabad (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (1938 - 1995) by RMA ArchitectsWorld Monuments Fund
Modernism in Ahmedabad
Indian modernism would represent and symbolize a young, new nation, of which Ahmedabad became the hub. Some of the finest Indian and international architects and engineers of the time worked on projects in the city
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
Perspective of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2020) by Sanat Jhaveri & Co., WMFWorld Monuments Fund
SVP Stadium Design
In 1960, AMC selected architect Charles Correa to design the stadium. He in turn invited engineer Mahendra Raj to collaborate on the project, which would lead to a key partnership throughout their careers.
Architect Charles Correa (1930-2015)
Charles Correa was an Indian architect and urban planner known for his adaptation of modernist tenets to local climates and building styles. Correa's career included more than 100 buildings in India and several urban plans.
Engineer Mahendra Raj (1924-2022)
A distinguished figure in the history of structural engineering, Mahendra Raj made an unparalleled contribution to the built landscape of post-Independence India. Throughout his career, he worked with the greatest architects of the period.
Scan of SVP Stadium Complex Site Plan (1960s) by the Charles Correa FoundationWorld Monuments Fund
Stadium Design
At the cutting edge of design as well as engineering technology, the project site plan seen here reflects a complete synergy of architect and engineer, where both pushed the boundaries of what was possible.
Image courtesy of the Charles Correa Foundation (CCF)
Scan of original Plan of South Stand Drawing (1960s) by the Charles Correa FoundationWorld Monuments Fund
The South Pavilion
The total program called for a stadium to seat 35,000 people, an extensive clubhouse and swimming pool, tennis courts, badminton courts, and a skating rink. By 1966, the south pavilion portion of their design was fully completed.
Image courtesy of CCF
As seen on the lefthand map, some aspects of the original design were not realized. The second phase of construction was stalled due to a lack of funds and a shift in political leadership in 1967. The map on the right is of the stadium's condition in 2021. Much of the stadium was constructed over a period of almost ten years by various contractors and designers. Although differing from the 1960s design of Correa and Raj, the stadium still maintains a diversity of programs and design features.
As-Built Site Plan (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by WMFWorld Monuments Fund
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
As-Built Site Sections A-A (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by WMFWorld Monuments Fund
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
03 MATERIALITY & STRUCTURE
In the twentieth century, the SVP Stadium’s ingenious structural form and multiple pre-cast components were only possible with the use of reinforced concrete. By 1963, the 326-ft folded-plate roof was the longest span of cantilevered concrete in the world.
Patel Stadium Architectural DetailsWorld Monuments Fund
Materiality: Concrete
Concrete became synonymous with brutalism, whose name references béton brut ("raw concrete"). It was a style that spread across the world due to concrete's properties that allowed it to be cast in different forms and create surfaces that offered a truthfulness to the material.
Model of SVP Stadium South Pavilion (1960s) by the Mahendra Raj ArchivesWorld Monuments Fund
Concrete
The building of large stadiums in the twentieth century was greatly facilitated by the use of reinforced concrete. This material made possible the construction of daring new designs that would previously have been impossible to sustain structurally, like SVPS’s canopy.
Perspective view of the South Pavilion at SVP Stadium (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2018) by Ram RahmanWorld Monuments Fund
Folded Roof Structure
The 20-meter-long cantilevered folded plate canopy, an awe-inspiring structural component covering the south pavilion, provided column-free seating from where spectators could watch the pitch without obstructions.
"To my knowledge, the structure was the first of its kind at the time—a folded plate as a cantilever. We were all very nervous in those days. There was no proof checking…” - Mahendra Raj
Scan of original Sections G-G and H-H drawing (1960s) by the Charles Correa FoundationWorld Monuments Fund
The stadium’s structural system can broadly be categorized into the following building elements: cantilevered roof, A-frames, seating frames, retaining walls and buttresses, seats (cast in-situ and precast), floors (cast in-situ), and transitional components.
View of the cast-in situ seats of the West Stand (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by WMFWorld Monuments Fund
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
04 CONSERVATION
Over the years, SVP Stadium has been the scene of important historic events, social transitions, and multiple activities which have marked the life of the communities and local context of India. The current state of the stadium, however, has suffered significant damage over time.
In response to the need for a conservation strategy for SVP Stadium, a partnership between the Amdavad Municipal Corporation, World Monuments Fund, and the Getty Foundation was formed to develop a Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP).
The CCMP engaged with a diverse group of stakeholders, conducted a condition assessment and other studies, and consulted with architectural, engineering, and heritage experts. In 2022, the CCMP was successfully completed and proposed a strategy for the future of SVP Stadium.
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
CONCRETE DETERIORATION
Often due to extreme variation in temperature, exposed concrete invariably cracks as the interior steel structure expands against the rigid concrete. When it is kept exposed without treating the cause, the coat of sealants that protect the concrete from moisture wears off. Once the moisture comes into contact with a non-treated bar, the steel rusts, and so does its bonding with concrete. This is called spalling concrete. The weaker structure causes deterioration to occur much faster.
Concrete Condition Mapping (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by WMFWorld Monuments Fund
Through condition mapping and material tests, as seen in this image, the damaged and susceptible zones can be identified and often fixed or replaced.
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
Yoga on the Steps (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by Sanat Jhaveri & Co., WMFWorld Monuments Fund
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
Stretching on the SVP Stadium StepsWorld Monuments Fund
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
05 LOOKING FORWARD: MASTER PLAN
The social significance and heritage value of the SVP Stadium are represented through its dynamic uses by local communities. To embrace these conditions and address current needs, part of the CCMP involved the creation of a master plan for the site.
Athletes at Patel StadiumWorld Monuments Fund
Map of Current Activities (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by RMA ArchitectsWorld Monuments Fund
Activity Analysis
As seen in this mapping of activities, the stadium is an open pubic space with greenery that hosts multiple uses for a diverse range of occupants.
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
Map of Proposed Activity Zones (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by RMA ArchitectsWorld Monuments Fund
Proposed Plan
This plan seeks to enhance the existing qualities and functions of the stadium's site through re-planning circulation and adding indoor sports buildings, a skating rink, and retail spaces.
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
View of Proposed Entrance Gate (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by RMA ArchitectsWorld Monuments Fund
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
View of Proposed New Skating Rink in front of the Stadium (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by RMA ArchitectsWorld Monuments Fund
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
At the center of a bustling metropolis the stadium, when restored, will reflect the vision of twenty-first-century India with its facilities and sports venues upgraded to contemporary standards.
Drone view of the practice net near the North stand of SVP Stadium (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by WMFWorld Monuments Fund
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
MESSAGE FROM WORLD MONUMENTS FUND
We remain indebted to the citizens of Ahmedabad who have guided our thoughts and shared both their memories and their dreams with us. Most of all, we are deeply grateful to the Amdavad Municipal Corporation, who have been our most robust partners and were generous with both their time and their ideas through multiple presentations and workshops.
The Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan was undertaken over a period of twenty months and included multi-disciplinary experts from within India and abroad. We have brought these knowledge strengths together in a single integrated document and we hope this will become the guiding manual for not only the conservation of the structure but also to upgrade the existing facilities so that the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium once again becomes the center of the city’s sporting and civic life.
Aerial view of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium (source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan) (2021) by WMFWorld Monuments Fund
Image source: Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
TEAM MEMBERS:
WORLD MONUMENTS FUND
Amita Baig, Executive Director, India Office
Javier Ors Ausín, Program Manager
AMDAVAD MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Divyesh Patel, Assistant Municipal Commissioner
Chaitanya Shah, Deputy Estate Officer
Rushi Pandya, Additional City Engineer
Dipen Gandhi, SVPS In-charge
KNOWLEDGE PARTNERS
Charles Correa Foundation
Mahendra Raj Consultants
Mahendra Raj Archives
PROJECT LEADS
Annabel Lopez, Heritage Management Consultant
Chirashree Thakkar, Heritage Management Consultant
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
National Centre For Safety Of Heritage Structures, (Department Of Civil Engineering), Indian Institute Of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Chennai India:
Dr Radhakrishna Pillai, Dr Manu Santhanam , Dr Arun Menon, Dr Amlan K Sengupta, & Dr. Deepak Kamde.
CONSERVATION ARCHITECTS
Bhawna Dandona, Nityaa Lakshmi Iyer
MASTER PLAN DESIGN
Rahul Mehrotra, RMA Architects
ADVISORS
Kiran Joshi
Shishir Hattangadi & P. K. Ghosh
ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ram Rahman
Sanat Jhaveri
The CCMP was made possible through WMF's collaboration with the Getty Foundation and Amdavad Municipal Corporation.World Monuments Fund
Project in collaboration between World Monuments Fund, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation, & the Getty Foundation.
World Monuments Fund’s project to prepare a conservation management plan for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad was made possible with support from the Getty Foundation through its Keeping It Modern initiative.
Story curated and edited by: Javier Ors Ausín & Isabel Oyuela-Bonzani
