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
“Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]
In Tiruppur’s industrial heartland, where the rhythm of textile mills sets the tone, the layered architecture in this Villa offers a quiet counterpoint. Shaped by stillness, proportion, and cultural memory, the home reflects the clients’ vision for a contemplative retreat. Set on a square plot within a gridded residential layout, the residence embraces architectural restraint […]
Nestled in what was once a coconut orchard, Sanctum serves as a sanctuary for a retired couple. Their daughter & a feline companion join them to offer a tranquil environment for everyday goings-on. The site is a 60’ x 90’ portion of land with six coconut trees. Two teak wood & silver oak trees, each […]
Tucked into the calm, tree-lined lanes of Nagarbhavi in Bangalore, Avani Residence rises as a poetic response to the chaos of the city, a vertical sanctuary where light dances, materials breathe, and space unfolds in gentle rhythms. Designed by Archemist Architects for a family of four, the residence is a nuanced interplay between constraint and […]
The designers envision Asterix Café as a flagship destination that challenges café design conventions. While coffee culture often associates with warm, pastel tones, Asterix dares to be different by embracing darkness as its defining aesthetic. Designed by UrbanNest Design Studio, the bespoke cafe is a bold experiment in creating a multi-functional, community centric space where […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
Situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Anandvan residence beautifully embodies biophilic design, fostering a deep connection with nature through its thoughtful integration of outdoor and indoor spaces through open courtyards. Open Courtyards And A Biophilic Design Connect The Outdoors With The Indoors | R+R Architects Location The location and surroundings played a significant role in determining the […]
What if the simplest object in your home could turn into a design icon? Tectona Grandis Furniture and The Architects’ Diary come together to introduce the Chair Affair. This is India’s first-of-its-kind furniture design competition that dares architects and designers across India to rethink the most essential piece of furniture – the Chair. Beyond function, […]
In a calm and serene residential area of Mysore, a 10,000 sq. ft. site with mature mango and coconut trees set the stage for Eden Kindergarten school. One half of the land was already occupied by an existing block, while the other half was shaded by the canopy of old trees. Instead of altering this […]
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 […]