Prestige University / Sanjay Puri Architects

Sanjay Puri Architects has completed the design for the main administration offices of the Prestige University in Indore, India.

Situated within a 32-acre university campus, the main administration offices along with an auditorium, seminar halls, library & cafeteria form the functions of this building. 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 five level building is accessible to the students and faculty of the university transforming it into an open auditorium amidst landscape. The multiple functional spaces within are interspersed with naturally lit landscaped courtyards allowing indirect light to infuse the internal volumes at each level.

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. 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.

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 recreational activities. The third floor houses the tiered classrooms. The fourth floor houses all the administrative and faculty related facilities. 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. 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.