“In the beginning was a vast open space” – undefined, nondescript and ordinary, part of a playfield of the sprawling Kumaraguru College of Technology campus, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Matched against this priceless asset were the lofty visions of the university gathering area – to not only reiterate and redefine its four-decade identity, but to motivate its variegated student community to self-propel itself to higher level of achievements. The baffling question before it was “how?”
Editor’s Note: Although the design of the community gathering space, “The Orb,” is simple and minimalistic, the intended impact is awe-inspiring. The circular shape itself allows efficient circulation while creating more intimacy. Its lightweight form is limitless and is open to multiple activities. One can meander through the garden, becoming a focal point for the entire university. – Gopika Pramod
A University Gathering Area that Scripts a Powerful and Distinct Vision | Triple O Studio
The University imposed no limits on the proposal. It’s concept was simple. It had no design brief; no space requirements; no specific site, no budget. It was ambitious yet nebulous.
The first step in the design process was to anchor the idea to a specific, immutable location in the master plan; in a manner that its position could never be undermined; nor it’s status ever be reduced. The existence of a prevailing but imperceptible axis served as the spark.
The idea of a vista suggested itself. An iconic flag mast, visible from far and wide, and hosting the Indian Tricolor, was to become a fulcrum around which the rest of the campus would rotate. At 115’0” in height, the mast has a valid claim to be the tallest in the region.
The national flag by its very presence exudes an aura of positive emotions in the onlooker. It was a sanctum marked for veneration. A subdued circular structure, 60’0” in diameter, encasing the mast, was an automatic choice; a subtle, porous and unassuming structure that offered an invitation from any direction.
One part of the University’s grand vision of redefining itself was thus conceptualized.
The second part of the University’s vision – to stimulate its student community – was to foster interactive usage; to create a welcoming, democratic and an encumbrance-free O.A.T space under the benign shadow of the sanctum; a sort of temple of activity through self-realization.
The two spaces fused themselves into each other and took on the mystical form of a loop. An overall duality of usage was sought to be achieved. The smaller loop, the sanctum, represents the Nation through its Tricolor while the larger one, the O.A.T, represents a healthy democracy.
An identical visual and architectural language was adopted for the larger loop, with gentle meandering ramps more or less guiding the visitors to a low podium.
The permanent seating arrangement is calibrated to suit a variety of needs. Designed in two ergonomic levels of varying widths, it encourages varied configurations. The bookends of the seating have been soothingly tapered landscaped bed.
The translucent tensile fabric roof was chosen symbolically as the wings of a bird in flight. While the flooring pattern in the sanctum is truly a work of craftsmanship, in the atrium it is more illusory.
In fact, if the vision of intellectual stimulation were to be reduced to physical terms, then this arrangement has fulfilled that dream.
The entire project celebrates subtlety and is marked by an architectural simplicity in the usage of its colors, textures, shapes and illumination. It almost reminds one of those famous lines from Tagore’s poem: “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free……..”
Fact File
Designed by: Triple O Studio
Project Type: Institutional Buildings
Project Name: The Orb – Flag Pavilion
Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Year Built : 2022
Built Up Area: 24756.99 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Tahaer Zoyab
Team Design Credits: Anupriya Subbian, Ar. Tahaer Zoyab, Sarojini Gandhi & Vigneswaran
Photograph Courtesy: triple o Pixel & Binsan Oommen Baby (Bob)
Client: Kumaraguru College Of Technology, Coimbatore
Structural Consultant: Duvo Engineering
Landscape Consultant: Vanavarayan Institue Of Agriculture, Pollachi
Contractor: Sujan Consortium
Firm’s Website Link: Triple O Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Triple O Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: Triple O Studio
For Similar Projects >> A Vocational Training Institute in Aurangabad while Focusing on Improved Social Responsibility
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
SapanoUday is a contemporary residence that balances material rawness with layered textures and crafted detail, aligning modern living with cultural and spatial sensibilities. Designed by Hundreddesigns, the home responds closely to the client’s routines and artistic inclinations while thoughtfully integrating Vastu principles. HundredDesigns The designers defined the architecture through a minimal palette, using exposed concrete […]
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]