Location: Sanquelim, Goa
Client: The Goa Institute of Management
Area: 2,47,200 sq. ft
Completion of project: March 2011
Architect Brinda Somaya is the principal architect of Somaya and Kalappa Consultants. She is from the generation of architects post-independence, who witnessed social transformation and globalization. Somaya and Kalappa Consultants are well known for their diverse architectural practice across India. Among their many significant projects, The Goa Institute of Management is a notable one.
“Architecture for me is about connecting and creating spaces between the earth and human”.
The Goa Institute of Management truly displays her efforts for creating thoughtful spaces. The Institute is located in the North of Goa in the town of Sanquelim or Sankhali. It is a closed institutional campus, spread across 50 acres of land. The plot has contours and is surrounded by undulating hills and greenery. The masterplan is designed to respond effectively to the site’s undulations. The zoning follows the contours of the site and the clusters of built spaces.
The campus is designed for 480 students and on-campus faculty. Instead of making the buildings a rigid mass of construction, the architecture of the campus allows environmental interventions. The campus is designed to be environmentally conscious. Sustainable practice to harvest rainwater from recharge pits and swales is done. Laterite stone is naturally occurring in this region and is abundant on the site, which was used extensively in construction as wall fillers, soling, and cladding. The individual buildings here are designed with cavity walls and deep overhangs to reduce the heat gain which also protects the building from a heavy monsoon.
The built form is well designed to connect spaces having a concentration of activity by students and faculty. The architecture here comprises a combination of spaces, volumes, surfaces, and colors. The incorporation of vertical planes with apertures and changes in textures to distinguish spaces along various levels is done. The textures in floor patterns and flooring material here depend majorly on the composition and relation between open space and built form. The walls follow the flow of space to create interesting patterns.
The built forms here are contemporary structures having openings to encapsulate the natural beauty around, in a particular frame. Due to clusters of these built forms, the campus is connected by many pathways organized along two perpendicular axes.
Academic Block
The main academic and administration block is centrally placed, located at the crossing of the two axes. The block houses classrooms, faculty offices, a finance lab, and a data analysis room. Considering the privacy and purpose of the internal spaces, the materials of the enclosures are used. The transparency of space is also considered. Light penetrates through the glass wall and pergolas are incorporated. To restrict excess light and visibility thin vertical apertures are made. Variation in quality, proportion, and material throughout the built form in consideration of the immediate surrounding is observed.
The Junction
The central arena connects to the library and canteen and a small retail shop to the western part of the site. Commonly known as ‘The junction’. Located at the topmost portion of the site to acknowledge spectacular uninterrupted views of the landscape around. The plaza designed at this level is a vibrant interactive zone constantly used by the students. The break out space is designed to encourage student interactions, case studies, and to increase informal discussions between students and faculty. This space comprises the semi-open and open spaces of the campus.
Student Hostels and Amphitheatre
The hostels designed as linear strips on the campus are situated to the north of the site. There are 6 hostel blocks with double and single room configurations which become home for students spending two years of their life in the campus. The blocks are designed linearly aligned to the contours with the plaza connecting to the blocks. The multi-level arcade in the center forms many informal and intimate spaces for small and accidental gatherings. The amphitheater here was designed to host numerous events held by various clubs of the college as well as other cultural activities.
Sports facilities -The campus offers facilities of gym and sports activities like badminton hall, table tennis, lawn tennis, football ground, swimming pool, etc.
Multipurpose hall
The multipurpose hall is located towards the east of the site situated on the lowest portion of the site. The hall has its entry-exit gates to use during functions. The guest speakers from various parts of the country and different industries have arrived. Towards the north of the multipurpose hall, faculty housing is located.
The architectural elements employed here in a variety of combinations make each space unique and responsive to its situation. Colors, textures, vegetation, and a variety of materials regulate the experiences within and outside. The built form is located within rich vegetation and allows the environment to intrude. The campus is a well-designed landscape of architectural elements and emotions.
References:
https://architecturelive.in/goa-institute-of-management-brinda-somaya/
https://www.snkindia.com/project.php?category_id=22&project_id=2
https://www.mgsarchitecture.in/architecture-design/projects/457-the-goa-institute-of-management.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tvCrVS7H5E
