The Black Bunny Club, situated in a vibrant area of Surat, emerges as a contemporary hospitality hub designed to cater to diverse age groups through a wide array of recreational activities. This multi-modal recreational arena integrates sports, fitness, and gaming zones within a singular, cohesive space, embodying a vision of seamless activity and vibrant community engagement.

Black Bunny in Surat is Envisions a Vibrant Community | i-con Architects & Urban Planners

The Black Bunny Club draws inspiration from creating a holistic space where fitness and recreation converge, fostering a lively atmosphere for social interaction. The design concept emphasizes temporal and flexible spaces, reflecting the dynamic nature of the activities hosted within the facility.

Unique and Comprehensive Experience

The selection of distinctive indoor sports—including taekwondo, badminton, shooting, swimming, and table tennis. Thus highlighting the ambition to provide a unique recreational experience. Complementing these are outdoor activities like a rope course, trampoline park, and arcade games, further enhancing the comprehensive offering.

The architectural language of Black Bunny in Surat was influenced by industrial aesthetics. It is seen in the use of exposed brick, metal structures, and colonial-style arched windows. Thus, creating a blend of raw and refined elements that resonate with the vibrant energy of the space.

The spatial configuration of the Black Bunny Club prioritises functionality and accessibility. The design divides the building into two primary zones: the club and the game zone, each featuring its own reception area. 

This division is not only horizontal but also vertical, with double-height spaces strategically positioned to enhance visual connectivity and create a dynamic flow between different activity areas.

The cuboid structure, measuring 30 m x 53 m x 11.5 m, occupies only one-third of the site, leaving the remaining area for outdoor activities and essential services like parking and green spaces.

Colonial Style

The placement of the building along the east façade maximizes visibility and interaction with the surrounding urban environment, while the uniform skin of exposed red brick and black colonial-style arched windows ties the diverse internal spaces together into a coherent whole.

Even the compound wall and the canopy over the semi-covered café, constructed from hollow clay blocks interwoven with metal rafters, exude a raw and rustic character. The interior design contrasts bright, vibrant colours with dark grey and charcoal tones. Thus, reinforcing the industrial aesthetic while creating an energetic and welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

One of the primary challenges in the project was optimizing the use of the 7,700-square-meter site while addressing the constraints of land consumption and the need for large volumes for specific indoor activities.

Striking Facade

Moreover, balancing the dual requirements of creating a striking, visually appealing façade along a busy road and preserving privacy for more intimate activities deeper within the plot demanded a nuanced approach to spatial planning.

Moreover, the decision to avoid using trusses for large spans, as advised by structural consultants, required innovative engineering solutions. This is to maintain structural integrity without compromising on the architectural vision.

Additionally, the construction of the Black Bunny Club utilised a combination of RCC frame structures for the fitness areas and metal (MS) structures for the gaming and recreational zones. Thus enhancing the building’s industrial character. 

Innovative Approach

The metal framework, constructed with hot-rolled sections and I-beams, facilitated the creation of large, open spaces. Meanwhile, maintain the building’s aesthetic coherence. Moreover, an innovative approach was taken with the checker plate slab, which was designed to be open to the climate. It is also equipped with waterproofing and china mosaic on top to minimise dead loads on the MS structure below.

The gymnasium, with its 30-foot vaulted roof, features pre-cast arched MS rafters and purlins supporting a metal sheet roof. It is insulated internally with black XLPE sheets for thermal efficiency.

Fact File

Designed by: i-con Architects & Urban Planners

Project Type: Commercial Building

Project Name: Black Bunny Club

Location: Surat, India

Year Built: 2021

Plot Area: 82,882 Sq.ft

Built-up Area: 50,590 Sq.ft

Principal Architects: Ar. Jaymin Patel & Ar. Vijal Desai Patel

Team Design Credits: Rishika Dalal, Harshi Ajmeri & Harkishan Kumbhani

Photograph Courtesy: Depictions by Prachi Khasgiwala

Products / Materials / Vendors: Cladding – Fabulous stone / Equipments – Brunswick Bowling, USA / Lighting – Kothari Electricals / Bathroom fittings – American Standard / Windows – Shaan Glass / HVAC – Carrier / Audio Video System – LD systems, Germany                            

Consultants for the Project: MEP Consultant – Aadhar Projects / HVAC Consultant – Miracle cooling system / Structure Consultant – Arcon Consultants / Accoustics Consultant- Evenflow Eternal / Graphics Designer- Gemius Studios Pvt. Ltd. / Contractor – Shah Constructions

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