The goal of The Regional Science Center is to Bring Science to People’s Doorstep, creating top-notch facilities that educate, entertain, and integrate modernity with cultural heritage, embodying the state’s forward-looking approach to science, education, and community engagement. It situates itself in Bhuj city, in the Kutch region of Gujarat state in the north of a hillock known locally as Bhujiyo Dungar.
Editor’s Note: Inspired by the Bhunga homes, the Regional Science Centre represents the contextual culture, taking into consideration every aspect of climate. The efficient space planning around the circular courtyard enables fluid transition of the users. Incorporating Venturi effect and Bernoulli’s principle, the harsh climate of Bhuj takes a calm and cooling shift. ~ Simran Khare
Goal of The Regional Science Center is to Bring Science to People’s Doorstep | INI Design Studio
The convergence of scientific innovation and socio-economic progress is a global pursuit, with nations leveraging Science and Technology for comprehensive development. In 1986, Gujarat established the Council of Science and Technology (GUJCOST) to address regional challenges within an international context. Dedicated to mitigating backwardness, rural unemployment, and poverty, GUJCOST is establishing community science center across the state through public-private partnerships.
The North-South axis acts as a pedestrian path and also connects with the East-West axis, along which all the galleries are located.
The design philosophy draws inspiration from the immediate context of Smriti Van, a memorial to the devastating 2001 earthquake, thus creating a meeting point of science, culture, and social interface.
Characterized by their mud-plastered, bamboo-framed, cylindrical traditional forms, the Bhunga houses of this desert region represent a way of life deeply rooted in the local culture. At the same time, their adaption to the climate and time-tested structural stability make them well-suited for this earthquake-prone desert region, with its sandstorms and cyclonic winds.
Governed by the Venturi effect and Bernoulli’s principle of pressure differences, Bhungas allow for an easy flow of cool breezes within while also diverting strong winds around their curvilinear walls. Thus, it prevents the structural destabilization of Bhungas.
Built on platforms and placed close together, the residual spaces act as shaded spaces for circulation and community engagement. The exhibition galleries take inspiration from traditional architecture of the Centre with cylindrical envelopes.
Clustered around common spaces, they allow for a fluid transition for visitors. Thus, it offers a dynamic and interconnected journey through the exhibits.
Elliptical in plan, each of these six galleries rises up to eight meters, casting cooling shadows. Landscaped spaces for outdoor exhibits and step-down courtyards are carved out of the curved intermittent niches.
The dry-clad system uses locally available stone, harmonizes with the regional context, and reduces cooling loads. Seismic resilience is optimized, and economic viability influences exhibit planning, functionality, and long-term operational sustainability.
The Centre’s programmatic arrangement aligns galleries’ themes that are focused on Space, Nanotechnology, Energy, and Marine Navigation along the east-west ‘science’ axis.
Administration and library/workshop blocks, along with Noble/Bonsai galleries and a central plaza courtyard, align with a north-south ‘cultural’ axis. Technological aids such as a 5D theatre, interactive media, and application pods complement the immersive edutainment approach.
Going beyond aesthetics, the design serves as a bridge between tradition and innovation in the realm of science and technology. It resonates with the rich heritage of Kutch while offering an immersive and interactive space that pushes the boundaries of science and technology, symbolizing Gujarat’s commitment to bringing science closer to the people in an engaging and culturally resonant manner that is accessible and inclusive even for remote and rural areas.
Fact File
Designed by: INI Design Studio
Project Type: Commercial Architecture Design
Project Name: Regional Science Centre at Bhuj
Year Built: August 2022
Location: Bhuj
Built Area: 63000 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ani Agarkar
Photograph Courtesy: The Space Tracing Company
Project Mentor: Jayesh Hariyani & Ar. Adi Mistry
The Project Directors: Rakhi Rupani & Saumil Mevada
Project Manager: Bhargav A Bhavsar
Construction Company: Cube Construction Engineering Ltd.
Structural Consultant : DUCON Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: INI Design Studio
For Similar Projects >>> The Office Walls Of Vornoid Offices Seamlessly Connect Indoor And Outdoor
Conceived as a dialogue between architecture and landscape in Alibag, CASAVIVA transforms the house into a sequence of spaces where nature becomes an integral part of everyday life. This Home In Alibag Is Conceived As A Dialogue Between Architecture & Landscape | SHROFFLEoN Design Brief Designed for a family seeking a calm and timeless residence, […]
Some homes begin with a drawing, and The Saffron Verandah began with an orchard. In the mango-growing landscapes of Shoolagiri, a quiet hamlet in northern Tamil Nadu, the land has settled into its own rhythm over generations. Rows of mature mango trees stretch across nearly three-quarters of an acre, their broad canopies tempering the southern […]
The house is conceived as a metaphor for the valley it inhabits. The design borrows the language of a bustling street skyline, stretching the home along a corner site so it frames the valley and its lake. Three linear bays, offset vertically and linked by corridors, open the plan to filtered western light and cross […]
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, […]
Editor’s Note: There’s a quiet clarity in homes that are shaped by real, everyday needs. Alcove feels like a thoughtful response to just that, balancing openness with comfort in a setting rooted in tradition. Moving away from a dense, older home, this residence embraces light, air, and simplicity while still holding on to its Kerala […]
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 […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
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. […]