BUILDING WITH LANDSCAPE

Studio 9 | Aravalli Ecological Research Centre

Designing an Institute for Ecology and Research in the Aravalli hills.

Project Level : Academic Project
Project Type :    Individual Design Project
Location : Champaner
Duration : Fifth- Year Project
Project Guide : Ashna Patel, S.E.D.A. Navrachana University

SITE
Champaner is a historical city in the state of Gujarat, in western India. Pavagadh stands on top of the hill that looks over the sprawl of monuments at the base in Champaner. The duo makes a rich heritage site dotted with forts, mosques, monuments, tombs, arches, temples, step-wells and fortresses from 8th to 14th century. These important landmarks reside on different typologies of landforms and surroundings.

CONCEPT
Building with the Landscape - Prominent in its own way but simultaneously merging with the landscape respecting the surroundings. So, instead of building something crisp and stand alone mass, allowing the visitor to enjoy the feeling of the landscape present around.

Site Analysis

The focus points or important landmarks reside on different typologies of landforms and surroundings in Champaner.The idea here was to allow the visitor enjoy the feeling of landscape present around.
Hence building with the landscape instead of building something crisp and stand alone mass.

Program Interpretation - Prominent but blending with the landscape respecting the beauty of the surroundings.

Three Design Positions

1. Mimicking the landscape (Inspiration - Zentrum Paul Klee, Renzo Piano)

2. Hiding the entire building (Inspired from erosion of the mountains)
3. Idea of Ruins and blending using the process of disintegration (Inspired by the process of weathering of rocks)

Design Process

The idea of ruins and weathering of rocks was taken into consideration.

Also how one experiences being in between the masses to gradually experiencing the landscape and nature.

The spaces were created in multiple levels starting from the outreach spaces (amphitheatre, exhibition) at the top followed by the library, research and admin while descending the contours.

Topology & Language Development

Amphitheatre

Library

Administration

Amphitheatre

Administration

Library