Centre for Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT)

CEPT University, established as The Centre for Environment Planning and Technology, was founded to provide a platform for students to learn the arts, sciences and technologies of the built environment. Today, CEPT University is one of the leading schools of architecture, urban planning and interior design in India.

In 1962, the Ahmedabad Education Society (AES) started the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) with the School of Architecture. This architecture college was financed with the support of grant-in-aid from the Government of Gujarat. In 1972, the School of Planning (SP) was established with the financial help from the Government of India (MHRD), the Government of Gujarat and the Ford Foundation. Further, in 1982 and 1991 two more schools were established namely School of Building Science and Technology (SBST) and School of Interior Design (SID) respectively with grant-in-aid from Government of Gujarat. In 2005, CEPT became a University recognized by the University Grants Commission and it is also recognized as Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR).

Balkrishna Doshi and his architect colleagues envisioned CEPT as a campus without walls, where teaching and learning took place as much outside as in the classrooms, with informal spaces, workshops and studios interspersed with open areas and the formal buildings. The studios are open spaces with large windows and doors, with double-height ceilings that keep the place cool even as light comes in from skylights and the layout of walls that enables natural ventilation while cutting out the harsh sunlight. A series of curved lawns give a pleasant feel to the front of the main building.

Sharing the Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus with CEPT University, the Hutheesing Visual Arts Centre hosts exhibitions, events and art classes from time to time. In the same campus, the Kanoria Art Centre conducts courses and hosts residencies. Kanoria Art Centre also has an art gallery, lawns where events are held, a shop and a café. The Community Science Centre which has various science-related courses, workshops and activities for children also shares the campus.