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The design originated from the strong topographical site-context. Being a heavily contoured site facing the valley, it had a major slope of 18m towards the South-East side at a mere distance of 100m. Working with a 10mx10m grid, the building blocks were stepped down to have undisturbed views of the valley while also respecting the existing contours. The design programme was divided into four blocks placed across the site. Wind direction being the important factor in the orientation of the blocks, the placement was planned around a central open space. Inspirations were sought locally from the conspicuous religious centre in the Udupi district, which also denotes an entry portal to the old city.
Meandering staircases were planned to connect the terraces at various levels capturing panoramic views of the valley. The placement of all the blocks is such to have unhindered views of the valley. Design studios planned on the top-most level were extended into a stepped court/terrace. The terraces worked like interactive pockets which were deliberately kept open to the sky. Visual connectivity from the corridor staircases formed a dynamic relief and visual access of peers, mitigating the connection between the two. The overall tonality and palette is derived from the shared cultural landscape of the region.
The saw tooth geometry in the façade helped cut down on the direct heat gain inside the studios, additionally light shelves were added to reduce the glare and have the studios more naturally lit and reduce the dependence on artificial lighting. Strategic locations of the windows helped achieve cross ventilation which we derived from intense calculations and workings. The building is designed to achieve GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assesment) certifications.
The inherent characteristics of the Manipal School Of Architecture reflected the ideological framework and the design was planned to be rooted in the context. The design program went through a lot of reinterpretations to truly understand the essence of an institute of design learning and setting a pedagogical benchmark of educating students by example.
An array of carefully placed apertures were planned to make the connection with the outdoors and encourage interdisciplinary exchange. These punctures were in terms of open staircases, terraces, and double-height windows. The complexity of the structure was broken into several construction processes a synergy of RCC & ferrocement to achieve the complex form twisted to reveal the entries. Flowing rhythmic brick waves continuing on the façade added to the dynamism of the space.
As one moves through the spaces new experiences unfold with the proportioned harmony of forms bounded around nature, encouraging a dialogue between the two. The design philology centered on ways to discover and encourage design sensitivities and thought processes. The central court facilitated multiple interactions and opened room for discussions and wonder. The material palette followed is utilitarian with an emphasis on the maintenance aspect of the campus while also being true to its form
Established in 2011 in Bengaluru, The Purple Ink Studio is a multifaceted architecture practice that is Young, Experimental and Ambitious. Conceived by Aditi Pai & Akshay Heranjal along with Nishita Bhatia & Arpita Pai, the Studio has grown into a Collaborative Practice, with a group of designers who bring varied skillsets to the process.
The Practice believes in an approach that is Layered, Contextual and Experimental in Nature. The studio is exploring various scales and typologies with a constant search to engineer new ways of blurring the boundaries between architecture & landscape. Every project undertaken is process-driven by a close-knit team that see the project through in its totality.
In less than a decade, the studio has gained recognition worldwide by winning numerous National & International Awards. Works of the studio are extensively published both in digital and print media. The Studio has won 7 International Awards, 16 Indian Awards and 15 Shortlists in the last decade
