The Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies in Lonavala is solidly environment-conscious. Ecological elements have been seamlessly woven into the structure right from the conception stage. Christopher Benninger conceives a campus that manages to look über modern and traditionally earthy at the same time. Spread across a generous expanse of 38.6 acres, it encompasses multiple structures of varying degrees of boldness of form. The overall look and feel of the place is consistently clean and efficient, with a certain elegant bareness.
Christopher Charles Benninger Architects’ pièce de résistance is its 90 metre long solar wall which forms a part of the Maritime Workshop building. The longest wall of its kind in Asia, it produces 90 KW of energy daily. A steel and glass framework has been extensively used in all buildings on the SIMS campus to ensure the availability of as much natural light as possible. The glass façade ensures substantial natural illumination yet cuts out the heat and cold swings. The dining halls are large airy spaces that face the gardens. The walls and roof here conjure up images of the ocean through murals of sea creatures in exposed RCC.
