Nestled in the core of this campus, MARC (the building plan for Auditorium & Food Court) emanates from its role as the central focal point of the bustling academic hub. The building caters to the diverse and growing campus needs, supporting multiple activities and thriving in its setting.
Bangalore in Southern India is thriving with micro campuses from several universities. Among them is the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an 80-acre campus on the city’s outskirts. The campus will accommodate over 12,000 students from diverse fields of technology, arts, and sciences. A legacy of more than 60 years, MAHE is synonymous with excellence in education.
Editor’s Note: “With its vibrant and concentric facade, this auditorium in Bangalore stands as a testament to individuality and creativity. Crafted with the core intention of delivering a dynamic and engaging experience, it fosters social interaction while seamlessly blending the indoors with the outdoors. Through efficient planning and meticulous attention to detail, the design offers a serene and inviting atmosphere.” ~Simran Khare
Plan For Auditorium in MAHE Was To Create A Dynamic Experience | The Purple Ink Studio
The design program or plan for this auditorium included two distinct facilities: a food court spanning two (lower) levels and a 1,200-seater Auditorium positioned above. A rectangular soft enclosure of a plaza was planned around the building, increasing the visual footprint.
The outdoor plaza, with its optical conundrum, extended the interiors seamlessly. The architects designed these plazas with multiple use points to serve as outdoor food courts and open congregation spaces for various casual and organized campus activities.
The core philosophy of the structure was to create a dynamic and engaging experience, enhancing the sense of place and fostering social interaction. Integrating outdoor and indoor spaces ensured a cohesive connection between the primary activities. As one crosses through the plaza, the spatial threshold disappears.
The floor levels are planned to ensure ease of movement. The food court levels are half-sunken to establish a direct connection with the outdoor food court. A diverging set of ramps, exposed on the outer edge, provides direct access to the user at the auditorium level, ensuring seamless accessibility and flow.
The architects carefully choreographed the movement of users, considering the specific needs of both service-intensive and high-traffic areas. The transitional spaces at the auditorium level with open lobbies and decks face the plaza and create an element of relief.
We explore spatial interchange through multiple layers converging around the central circular form of the auditorium. The central core functions like a magnet, with open plazas around expanding its field.
The Auditorium, with its impressive diameter of 52 meters, stands as a symbol of prominence within the design, anchoring the entire complex’s spatial dynamics.
Rendered in steel, the metal framework anchors to the roof trusses, supporting the composite roof and ensuring structural integrity and stability.
The concentric rings of orange hues accentuate the contrast between the robust framework and the enclosing form. This visual juxtaposition highlights the structure’s architectural prominence and reinforces its identity as a vibrant hub within the campus environment.
Rather than reinforcing boundaries in architecture and Interiors, the design focuses on removing more than it adds. The Auditorium is planned to have outdoor spaces for the lobbies and decks, as well as a VIP Gallery for the events.
The design language continues in the interiors with a strategic mix of materials. A sense of continuity is observed from the outside in. To heighten the sense of drama, a single shape is manipulated by creating different patterns in the interiors.
The hues of the orange are organized as patterns in rafters, and the gradients of the chair vanish from the corners and make the form respond to its exteriors. Acoustical panels form the backdrop for the rafters, which cater to the sound insulation.
The ceiling, with its concentric light detail, contributes to the overall character of the space. The design of the MARC exemplifies new-age thinking, enriching the user experience and creating a dynamic and inspiring environment that reflects the aspirations of a growing institute.
Fact File
Designed by: The Purple Ink Studio
Project Type: Institution Design
Project Name: MARC Auditorium
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 123000 Sq.ft
Photograph Courtesy: Suryan//Dang
Structural Consultants: TRC Engineering
HVAC Consultants: KNND Associates Pvt Ltd.
Sustainability Consultants: Terraviridis
Principal Contractors: Creative Projects & Contracts
Façade Contractors: Sobha Glazing Limited
Interior Contractors: SPAN Interiors, CB CRAFT Interiors
Source: Archdaily
The Firm’s Website Link: The Purple Ink Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: The Purple Ink Studio
Firm’s Facebook Link: The Purple Ink Studio
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