The Institute for Plasma Research, located in Gandhinagar selected four acres of contoured oval shaped land within its existing campus to locate the Student Housing and Guest House facility. HCP’S approach aimed to make use of the natural landform to the fullest and integrate it in the overall composition of the development. The blocks for the students’ hostels are modular two-storey buildings of square geometry with a central courtyard. This central paved multi-functional open to sky space dually functions as an interactive zone for students while optimising light and ventilation features for the block. All hostel rooms are designed for single occupancy and sport a spartan interior theme. Contextual in terms of its orientation and use of materials, one finds the campus design embodying the spirit of simplicity and timelessness. Exposed brick and concrete form the primary external vocabulary of the building while the natural topography and landscape of undulating slopes, existing mature trees and gradually appearing, then seemingly shifting vistas of green, as perceived from most parts of the facility; softens the otherwise bold and abstract building massing. This clever approach to letting the natural terrain work its own magic for the overall composition of the development helps sustain the gentle relationship of built forms with natural surroundings.
