By Savitha Hira
Photography: Pradip Sen;
Courtesy Abin Design Studio
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| Library Block Overlooking the Stepped Plaza |
Every
once in while, we come across a project that stands apart for its treatment,
its form-function integration, its climatic susceptibility, its contextual
nuances....
“The past always catches up with you,”
says Architect Abin Chaudhuri of Abin Design Studio, Kolkata. “And why
shouldn’t it?” he continues, “Especially, when it offers you a rich heritage
and unparalleled timeless grandeur.”
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| Administrative Block |
Orissa is a state widely known for its
opulent cultural heritage and rich architecture. IMI Bhubaneswar situated in
the eastern coastal plains of Orissa, is a campus that Abin has designed with
keen eye on the city’s extreme tropical summer temperatures. The entire
building is designed and oriented on site to minimize heat gain and reduce use
of electro-mechanical energy.
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Central Court
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With climate-responsiveness and
local-material usage as the key guiding principles, the entire structure is
woven around the biggest and most popular central court with a water moat
around a centrally placed feature tower. A lot of attention has been paid to its
spatial quality as this court acts as the nodal interactive zone, where
students can spill out, unwind or just be inspired. The surrounding water moat
acts as a natural exhaust, cooling the air passing over it, creating a solace
even in the hot and sultry tropical climate. The iconic tower, akin to a
life-size abstract sculpture in the centre of the plaza acts as a wind breaker
and also helps in evaporative cooling; thus controlling the micro climate of
the central plaza.
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| Central Court & Feature Tower |
There is a strong interaction of spaces
as the peripheral library and academic blocks are linked via a shaded walkway.
This interface is ably furthered by the juxtaposition of interior spaces that
allows for optimum daylight penetration, aided by the huge glass wall in the
library atrium.
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| Library Block: Close-Up at Night |
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| Winding Road Under Canopies |
While the atrium of the library block is
pushed outside via an inclined glass box to invite natural light and
subsequently reduce the cost for artificial lighting, it also acts as a strong
visual element in the architectural makeup. Not just that, the glass block is strategically
positioned to cast shadows all over the central plaza at different times of the
day to create comfortable outdoor spaces in the scorching heat.
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Interplay of Light and Shadow Over the Plaza
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| Linear Geometry of the Canopies |
The architectural language is rustic and
earthy with Laterite and Khondalite stones used for the outdoor areas. The
central stepped plaza is designed using solid Laterite blocks. To substantially
cut down heat absorption, large overhangs are integrated in the design to
create huge shadows on the building itself and the outdoor spaces. Incidentally,
only a part of the outer facade avers to the cultural thread of the city in a
direct connect – via a representational mural of temple replicas – the only
traditional touch in the contemporary disposition.
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Academic Block from Approach Road
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Ecological considerations are furthered
with rain water harvesting technologies that are deployed to conserve water;
with water bodies throughout the site acting as catchment areas. Furthermore, low
VOC paints are extensively used keeping in mind the indoor air quality and
public health.
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| Classroom Blocks at Dusk |
Abin sums up his project with two
distinct quotes:
“Ah to build, to build! That is the
noblest of all the arts!” said Henry W. Longfellow and Ar. Frank Gehry has said
“Architecture should speak for its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.”
This design is an attempt to build with a
strong spatial quality, endeavouring timeless appeal.
As we would say in philosophy, you cannot be outside of your own time. Even if you make a movie, even a period movie, if you make it in 2012, it will be a product of 2012, and forever trapped in the mental state of 2012. Timelessness is a fiction. There's no such thing.
ReplyDeleteBut we can do excellent work to the best of our ability, and when we do our work really well, it might remain of interest for a long time. But you have very little control over that. It's a decision for future generations to decide.
That is a nice campus by the way. I was fearful you were going to show some historic junk when you mentioned bridging the past. But that is a good example of pretty sophisticated modern design, trying to live it's current time with as much creativity as possible.
Posted by Rich Farris on Linkedin Group: ARCHITECT in response to IAnD's discussion thread:How far can an architect/ designer succeed at recreating heritage design elements in a modern setting, so we remember our roots, yet grow with time?
I do not believe in recreating . i believe elements and philosophy of rational must be considered but it is paramount to remember that heritage was often innovation in it's time. It is irresponsible not to make best use of the technology and advances.
ReplyDeletePosted by Belinda Grifffin on Linkedin Group: Interior Architecture + Design in response to IAnD's discussion thread:How far can an architect/ designer succeed at recreating heritage design elements in a modern setting, so we remember our roots, yet grow with time?
It happens.. an architect/designer is a need of our society he creates what he is told to do he creates according to client's needs...he visualize.and create. he fulfill client's dreams.... what he wants.
ReplyDeletePosted by sunil jaisingh on LinkedIn Group: Sindhi Professionals' Society in response to IAnD's discussion thread: How far can an architect/ designer succeed at recreating heritage design elements in a modern setting, so we remember our roots, yet grow with time?