The School of Planning and Architecture, “SPA” Bhopal campus not only focuses on the ability to create a live work village for design professionals in a rural campus setting, but also to incorporate a high level of sustainability to support and demonstrate the idea of self-sufficiency. SPA campus is planned on a 77-acre site with total area of 70,000 sq. m. of academic, common facilities and residential buildings; will function as a launching pad for fresh Ideas. The master plan incorporates Bhopal’s Greenways system and connects them with the structured greenways of the proposed campus. The design is promised by both local and international inspiration with a strong focus on sustainability, green design and conservation.

 

The site is divided into a series of ‘villages’ and organized around two axes spanning from north to south and east to west.  Phase 1 of the School of Planning and Architecture is a 16,750 sq. m. academic complex located on 14.4-acres of land. The 1st phase will comprise of 14 buildings and will house the university’s Undergraduate, Post-Graduate, PhD and Planning Departments. 

The academic complex’s design accentuates the relationship between landscape and architecture and is formed around a series of intimate courtyards between each building. A large green-scape courtyard is located between the Undergraduate and Post-graduate facilities and is meant as a common social area for students and faculty to enjoy.

The complex will have a series of open-air and enclosed buildings which are connected along the academic gardens. The breezeways are located along the face of each building and flow through open critic spaces and exhibition halls to create interaction between the students and faculty. The exterior walkways and stairs are shaded from overhangs as well as by a concrete structural screen. The non-occupiable roofs will be used to house a series of photovoltaic panels to allow the academic complex to operate on renewable energy. Green roofs are proposed below the photovoltaic panels to reduce heat gain.

The buildings concrete structure and non-loadbearing concrete masonry walls contain 20% fly ash and each buildings footprint is narrow to allow ample diffused light into the main academic spaces. The windows are both fixed and operable for natural ventilation and exhaust. The building facades are designed based on sun shading and glare reduction. Larger windows have been placed on the northern facades, which open into the main rooms of each building, such as studios, classrooms, labs and offices. The southern and western walls have been designed with smaller/minimal windows and open into service-oriented spaces.

 
Forced ventilation and evaporative cooling system is designed within the insulated masonry walls to cool 7435 Sq.m. of spaces within each building. Air washers run from the basement service level through shafts located along the exterior wall. These shafts are insulated with rigid insulation and form a cavity wall to give additional shading to the glazing and interior spaces. All enclosed rooms receive evaporative cooling while only the faculty offices, computer labs and lecture theater receive additional air conditioning. The air-conditioning is minimized to 11% (1,859 sqm) of the built area and 50% of the buildings are exposed to the natural environment. The electrical and mechanical systems are designed to optimize building design and reduce conventional demand.

 

Additionally, the academic complex will house rainwater harvesting pits connected to the campus pond. Native plantings and materials are proposed in the landscape plan.

 

Location: Bhopal, India

Client: School of Planning and Architecture

Site: 77 Acres

Area: 70,000 sq.m

Year: 2012