Development of the Ganesha Campus

1950s

During this era a number of funds provided budget for physical construction of the campus. The funds constructed several buildings, i.e. the ones of the Department of Architecture, Biology, Geodesy, and Chemistry. These four buildings represented a prototype of prefabricated buildings, such as the ones that at the time usually functioned as office/barrack of the United States army. Apart from department buildings, several other buildings were also built, including the Scientific Meeting Hall on Jalan Surapati 1, and the Centre for Housing Research and Development on the northern campus, which was then granted to ITB. Currently the School of Business and Management uses the building.

Since 1952, some organizations had thoughtfully considered the idea to integrate these Bandung based faculties in order to constitute an independent university. The original name for the university was proposed on February 25th, 1957 as Technology and Natural Science Institute.

Later, the name of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) was established on February 28th, 1959. On March 2nd, 1959, in a ceremonious event at the campus to mark its opening, President Sukarno displayed the name plate over the old one of 'Fakultas Teknik dan Fakultas Ilmu Pasti dan Ilmu Alam, Universitas Indonesia' with the new identity: 'Institut Teknologi Bandung.'

1968 - 1978

After the construction development of the ITB campus buildings that took place three years previously, ITB set out a long-term plan known as the Academic Master Plan and the Physical Master Plan. Introducing induction program for undergraduate students at their first year known as the Common Preparation Stage (TPB) changed the academic system of ITB. It therefore needed a common lecturing facility, the use of which was not restricted to one of its departments. Among several buildings that were built at the time were classrooms for studium generale  TVST or Octagon: two separate octagons that were connected to each other by a closed TV circuit.

There were also two different buildings in the front of the ones previously mentioned known as PLN Laboratory and TPB Building. An open space around these buildings was designed by ITB students that had won a national architectural contest. Other buildings built during this period were Technological Laboratories (Labtek).

1978-1983

Campus development during this period was focused on providing buildings in order to support common activities, mainly the ones that were related to education and teaching. Originally in the north part of the campus the Department of Environmental Engineering ITB built two lecturing facilities known as the Twin Buildings that face each other. At its western campus it also built the General Lecture Building (GKU), which was mainly used for students at their Common Preparation Stage. ITB also built the Centre for Education in Photogrammetric and Cartography at the Department of Geodesy, and Solar Laboratory at the Department of Mechanics.

1983-1990s

During this period ITB was needing to expand its campus area so that it could be adjacent to Siliwangi Valley. At that time the 30 hectares campus had begun to feel confined, due to the growing development of departments that of course required new facilities. It also had been in need of a sport centre, not only for ITB students but also for the general public. ITB stakeholders supported the idea of developing Lebak Siliwangi without neglecting the importance of preserving its natural features.

There were organizational changes during this time as the role of Development Bureau was officially handed over to the Vice Rector of development. Three important buildings were built during this period, i.e. the Main Library, the Centre for Inter-university Cooperation (PAU), and the East General Lecture Building (GKU). There was also a need to redesign the northern area of the campus, which at that time was treated as merely a campus backyard. An architectural contest was organized in search of a suitable design to redesign the Northern Gate, and was won by an architectural study program student. His design had been retouched as ITB has built a new facility, the Sunken Court, an underground facility that connects Ganesha Campus with Lebak Siliwangi.

1992-2001

In 1992 ITB made a ten year Master Plan of Development (RIP) for the period of 1992-2001. According to this document, campus development would emphasize its priority on the field of strategic science and technology. An Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF), a Japanese government financial institution, provided two separate loans to pay for the two phases of development based on the Master plan.

Project manager Mame Sutoko led a team that built several Labtek on the campus, and in Sabuga Complex in Siliwangi Valley. Other facilities that were built with the funds were Plaza Widya Nusantara and the Sunken Court. Around the Sunken Court is a space used for student units, which is directly related to the sport centre in Siliwangi Valley.

On Ganesha Campus is Sasana Budaya Ganesha (Ganesha Cultural Auditorium). It was originally designed to meet the need for a proper representative place for graduations. Its main hall holds up to 4000 people and the auditorium is now used for urban activities, such as exhibitions, shows and performances, and scientific meetings. As this facility is surrounded by sport facilities, it does not only meet the needs of ITB but also meets the needs of the public.

In addition to being utilized for the development of public facilities and buildings for the benefit of academic activities of ITB departments, the loan from OECF was also utilized for the construction of the Office of the ITB Rector (Annex Building). This five-floor building functions as the Centre for Academic Information and Data of ITB, which facilitates the activities of ITB bureaus. Inside the building there are several offices, one of which functions as student registration. The upper floor of the Annex Building functions as an auditorium, which is usually utilized for conducting doctoral promotion.