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
For Similar Projects >> A Vocational Training Institute in Aurangabad while Focusing on Improved Social Responsibility
Layers don’t just sit here; they breathe, shift, and whisper through light. The Screen, set in the sun-drenched fabric of Solapur, Maharashtra, isn’t trying to scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. It moves quieter than that, more composed, more intentional, like a pause button carved into the chaos of the city. Spread across 4,125 sq. […]
This project is located in Ben Tre, Vietnam, and was completed in 2021. With a total area of 430m2, the project set within concrete vaults includes 3 bedrooms and one living room, each with a view of the nearby river. Concrete Vaults Form The Main Identity Of This Vietnamese Home | VTN Architects The ground […]
We conceive EMA not as a conventional architectural object, but as a living continuum of memory, ecology, and craft. Located in Malappuram, Kerala, the 1,700 sq. ft. residence, designed with thermal comfort draws from vernacular wisdom and the philosophy of the Kaavu—the sacred grove—where humans, nature, and other living beings coexist without hierarchy. Within this […]
Set within the lush landscapes of Bharanikavu in Kollam, Arcade – a single storey residence that blends tropical modern architecture with colonial and traditional elements. Designed for a businessman, his wife (a teacher) and their two daughters, this house showcases a shared interest for elegance rooted in familiarity. This Single Storey Home Sits Amidst Lush […]
Noah’s Ark is a contemporary residence designed as a calm and welcoming home with a clear planning. The client’s brief was to create a home that felt simple, warm, and timeless without becoming overly minimal or impersonal. Noah’s Ark responds by blending clear planning, honest materials, and personal elements, resulting in a house that is […]
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 […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
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 […]