CONTENTS -Introduction 1 - Aim and Objectives 2 - Research Question 2 - Methodology 2 - Scope and Limitations 3 Chapter – 1 5 Reinforced Cement Concrete: Material Properties and Characteristics in Design and Construction 11 Material and its Importance in Architecture 7 12 Reinforced Cement Concrete: Behaviour and Properties 7 12a Concrete: Origin, Revival and a Study through History 7 12b Properties/Characteristics of Reinforced Cement Concrete 11 - Composition of Concrete - Structural Properties - Formal Properties - Visual Properties - The Pursuit of Regularization/Standardization and Economics 12c Architectural Qualities of the Material: Exposed Concrete 22 Chapter – 2 25 Expressive Language of Exposed Reinforced Cement Concrete in Architecture 21 A Study of Expressive Language of Exposed Reinforced Cement Concrete through the Works of various Architects 27 21a Formal Expression of Exposed Reinforced Cement Concrete 27 - Spatial Explorations and Expressions - Organizing Explorations and Principles 21b Structural Expression of Exposed Reinforced Cement Concrete 30 - Structural Variations and Architectural Expressions 21c Tectonics Expression of Exposed Reinforced Cement Concrete 32 - Explorations in details of System, Elements and Components 21d Visual and Tactile Expression of Exposed Reinforced Cement Concrete 35 - Exposed RCC and Texture - RCC and Colour - RCC and Light/Shadow 22 Reinforced Cement Concrete Buildings in Ahmedabad and Development of Architectural Languages 39 Chapter – 3 41 Observations and Analysis of Case Studies - Parameters of Analysis of Case Studies 43 - Criteria for Selection of Case Studies 43 1 LD Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad 45 2 Prathma Blood Bank, Ahmedabad 61 3 Tagore Hall, Ahmedabad 77 4 Ahmedabad Management Association, Ahmedabad 91 Chapter – 4 105 Comparative Analysis and Conclusions - Illustration Credits 117 - Bibliography 122 - Acknowledgements 124