Functional Indian Architecture Embedded in the Landscape -University Design by Sanjay Puri

Prestige University building designed by Sanjay Puri Architects is situated within a 32-acre university campus in Indore, one of the major cities in central India. The main administration offices, along with an auditorium, seminar halls, library & cafeteria, form the functions of the building.

North east view, Photo credit: Sanjay Puri Architects

As opposed to creating an imposing edifice, the building gradually steps up from the approach direction belying its 20 metre height. Stepped up from the northern direction, the entire terrace of the 4 level building is accessible to the students & faculty of the university, transferring into an open auditorium amidst the landscape.

Aerial view, Photo credit: Sanjay Puri Architects

The multiple functional spaces within are interspersed, with naturally lit landscaped courtyards allowing indirect light to infuse the internal volumes at each level.

View of the atrium from bridge, Photo credit: Sanjay Puri Architects

The north lighting & courtyards are imbibed from traditional Indian architecture, creating an energy-efficient sustainable building with minimal dependence on artificial lighting and air conditioning. This is in response to the climate of the city that varies from 30°C to 40°C for 8 months of the year.

View of the courtyard, Photo credit: Sanjay Puri Architects

Varied sectional volumes punctuated by landscape create different experiences in each part of the building. A continuous diagonal indoor street, in addition to the numerous open courts, facilitate natural ventilation within the internal spaces.

View from the east entrance, Photo credit: Sanjay Puri Architects

The common facilities like food court, an auditorium and the administrative offices are located on the ground floor for easy access. The various library components are located on the first floor connected by a bridge over the diagonal indoor street cutting across the building. The common classrooms occupy the second floor deriving light and ventilation from the various sectional volumes and open courts. These open courts act as the spill over area for recreation activities. The third floor houses the tiered classrooms. The fourth floor houses all the administrative and faculty related facilities.

View of the internal courtyard from roof, Photo credit: Sanjay Puri Architects

The east, west and southern sides of the building are enveloped with a ventilated brick screen to mitigate heat gain in response to the climate. 

The Prestige University is contextual to the climate of its location creating an energy efficient building that in addition to housing numerous activities, also becomes a large open public space with accessible ground floor and landscaped roof.

View of the stepped terraces, Photo credit: Sanjay Puri Architects

The building is a series of interactive spaces of different scales fostering engagement at various levels amongst the users as well as integrating functional and open landscaped areas intrinsically.

North east view, Photo credit: Sanjay Puri Architects

About Sanjay Puri Architects

Sanjay Puri Architects are listed in the top 100 architects worldwide by Archdaily. Architizer, New York includes Sanjay Puri Architects in their list of the top 136 design firms worldwide. The firm tops the list of WA Community award winners across the world.

As winners of the LEAF Awards London Best Interior Architecture 2021, the World Architecture Festival’s Best Housing Project of the Year 2018 in Amsterdam, and the World’s Best Residential building in the LEAF Awards, London 2017, the firm has amassed more than 270 awards, including 190 international awards and over 100 National awards.

With a firm strength of 72 professionals, evolving design solutions that are contextual, and the creation of spaces that revolutionize the way they are experienced, form the essence of the firm’s design philosophy.