Built by numerous award-winning and internationally acclaimed firm, Hitkarni University is situated on 3.45 acres of irregularly shaped land with a building footprint of 37,512 square feet in Jabalpur, India, in a hot and dry environment in an urbanized area. A huge playground and a well-kept space are also part of the design on the northern side. The climate is taken into account in each space’s design, and sustainability is effectively included. This philosophy is reflected in the considerable effort done by the firm at Hitkarni University, with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure created to support various academic disciplines and encourage collaborative learning experiences.
The Man Behind the Design & the Firm
Indian architect Sanjay Puri is renowned for his cutting-edge and modern creations. One of India’s top firm for parametric design is Sanjay Puri Architects. The 1992-founded company has won numerous international prizes, received widespread recognition, and received work from all around the world. Their guiding principle is to create innovative design solutions that are appropriate for the environment, promote sustainability, and transform the tourist experience. The practice places high importance on innovation and engineering, and they hold that each site dictates what should be done with it. The Hitkarni University in Jabalpur is one of their noteworthy ongoing projects.
Design feature, Concept & Philosophy
The design of the Hitkarni University, which is in a hot, dry area of Jabalpur, tries to reduce heat gain by placing all classrooms and facilities to the north. To create wind tunnels and do away with the necessity for air conditioning, individual blocks branch off a curvilinear spine accented by open areas. Internal spaces are naturally lit throughout the day, which reduces the need for artificial lighting. Built sustainably and with consideration for the local context, the structure is cost-effective.
The building’s length is covered by a single curving main spine, with branches extending to several blocks housing educational areas. Students can experiment with various interactive environments in large open areas that are protected from harsh weather.
The design keeps the constructed areas on the south side of the property while creating a sizable playground on the north side. This sizable academic facility is divided into several built spaces mixed with protected, open spaces that have been planted. As a result, a lot of covered outdoor areas are made available for pupils to engage with nature.
Planning of Spaces
The 33-acre university project is being developed by SEED in collaboration with Sanjay Puri Architects. The project has
- 48 Regular Classrooms with a capacity of 60,
- 8 Large Classrooms with a capacity of 80,
- 6 Seminar Halls with a capacity of 150,
- 4 Dean Offices,
- 4 Departmental Offices,
- An Entrance Hall and,
- A library
Style of Architecture
Using materials like glass, steel, bricks, and concrete, the architectural style is characterised by strong geometric forms, straight lines, and curves. While incorporating contemporary technology and environmental practices, it combines aspects of Indian culture and heritage into its designs. The design contributes to the global architectural discourse while fitting in with the local environment.
Due to the location of the educational buildings in hot and arid climates, passive techniques are used, focusing on utilizing natural elements and design strategies to minimize energy consumption and create comfortable indoor and outdoor environments without heavily relying on mechanical cooling systems.
Climate-Responsive Design
The Hitkarni University, which was built contextually and with the climate in mind, satisfies the client’s request for an affordable building and a sustainable solution at the same time.
All classrooms and other facilities are north-oriented, minimizing heat gain and providing indirect northern light to the interior spaces. This is due to the region’s hot, arid climate, which has temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius for 8 months out of the year while the sun is in the southern hemisphere.
Large apertures on the northern side and towering ventilators on the southern side provide total cross-ventilation in each room. Cross ventilation is also used in the circulation spaces. The layout’s inclusion of beautifully planted courtyards makes it possible to create wind tunnels, which increase airflow inside the structure. The project’s red brick screens are also a climate adaptation designed to minimize heat input.
The entire academic institute will be naturally ventilated throughout the year without the use of air conditioning, making the structure energy efficient and lowering its carbon impact. Internal spaces will be filled with natural light throughout the day, which will reduce the demand for artificial lighting.
Shaping Materials & Palette
The fragmentation of the building spaces and the intermittent gardens provide a dynamic plan that continuously changes the perception of the spaces throughout the day and year. The built spaces will be constructed mostly using locally available brick combined with concrete. The project’s use of red brick and contextual adaptation to the local environment are echoes of traditional Indian architecture. Following regional aesthetics and architectural vernacular will aid the structure’s integration into the surrounding natural or built environment.
The look and aesthetic appeal of the Hitkarni University is greatly influenced by the combination of red brick and gray concrete. The color scheme contributes to the overall architectural intent and can either make a building stand out or fit in seamlessly with its surroundings. It is a warm and earthy tone with a sleek and modern shade. It highlights the material expression and gives the building’s façade depth and aesthetic intrigue. In addition, a deeper feeling of identification, cultural values that are reinforced, and respect for the history of the area.
In this constantly changing environment, design also advances and incorporates new technologies. The firm aims to develop its own brand identity and design principles for all types of projects. The Jabalpur-based project is renowned for its contextual designs, concentration on low-tech sustainable solutions, the pursuit of an architecture that stimulates social contact, and all these attributes. It is ideal for you and greatly advantageous for the company to have someone who shares their ideals and practices on their team.
References
Pagliacolo, E. (2023) Top 10 to see: Milan Design Week 2023, Azure Magazine. Available at: https://www.azuremagazine.com/article/top-10-to-see-milan-design-week-2023/ (Accessed: 21 June 2023).
HITKARNI UNIVERSITY, JABALPUR (no date) Sanjay Puri Architects. Available at: https://sanjaypuriarchitects.com/architecture/education/hitkarni-university-jabalpur/ (Accessed: 22 June 2023).
Hitkarni University (no date) Seed Engineering. Available at: https://www.seedengineering.com/projects/hitkarni-university/ (Accessed: 23 June 2023).
Architects, S.P. (2018) Hitkarni University: The plan, Sanjay Puri Architects. Available at: https://www.theplan.it/eng/award-2018-education/hitkarni-university–1 (Accessed: 23 June 2023).