The SAIL Center in Surat, Gujarat, is a global hub dedicated to the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, spanning over 1 hectare (2.5 acres) within the 47 hectare (120 acres) Earthspace campus. Developed by an Indian hotelier and disciple of the gurus, Earthspace includes AURO University, where integral education blends health, spirituality, science, and consciousness. The center serves as a sanctuary for introspection, contemplation, and inner growth. The Studio Naqshbandi was asked to design this project in 2010, and finally, the execution started in 2019 due to multiple changes in the location within the 120-acre campus, as well as prioritising of funding allotment by the management for the growing campus.
Editor’s Note: “Surrounded by the goodness of exposed brick and concrete, Sail Center emerges as a reflection of inner self. Bridging the seen and the unseen, this space is where earth, air, and light converse with an enduring sense of purpose. Here, every detail speaks in a language close to the soul, offering resilience and grace.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
SAIL Center in Surat is a Sanctuary of Inner Growth and Integral Education | Studio Naqshbandi
Using our studio’s expertise in creating natural landscapes to advantage, one of the first decisions was to convert the low-lying site to a rainwater catchment, creating a natural pond. Concurrently, it avoided an ecological disaster somewhere else to carry 60-70 truckloads of soil to the site.
The 2950 sq mt Bio Pond is designed as a perennial self-maintaining water body, then overflows into this natural low-lying landscaped area to create a water body in the monsoon, attracting special birds and local water species.
Metaphorically, the water body defines the separation between the outer and inner world. The Bridge invites one to transcend this separation and enter a realm of peace and play of light and shadow.
Visitors traverse this entrance bridge and engage with the center’s carefully curated spaces, evoking exploration and inner discovery. The three courtyards within the building allow one access to nature, wind, and light throughout the center.
Key features include a Zen Garden, Sensorium Court, small meditation petal pods, and Dhyanshala, a meditative space floating above the bio-pond.
The four petal-shaped meditation chambers are inspired by the four attributes of The Mother, and the serene interiors reflect a spiritual ethos akin to Auroville’s spiritual center, Matrimandir.
The Sensorium has several musical instruments that allow one to enter the world of sound and space. The Center thus lends itself to exploration with all five senses in a peaceful and serene ambience.
The design integrates nature’s five elements, creating sensory narratives with courtyards, bio-ponds, and a blend of exposed brick, concrete, and glass.
Sustainable practices, including rainwater harvesting and landscaping with indigenous flora, ensure harmony with the low-lying site.
Holding on to the original concept was a huge constraint. Over the 10 years of incubation, many changes and challenges emerged; yet, despite it all, the core vision remained intact.
Redesigning the almost-finished structure from a half-underground to a fully above-ground form became necessary due to changes in the byelaws and the client’s constantly evolving brief. Despite these shifts, patience and ongoing negotiations helped overcome the challenges.
Another major challenge was working from a long distance to achieve the level of detailing and finishing in architecture, interiors, and landscaping.
Fact File
Designed by: Studio Naqshbandi
Project Type: Educational Architecture & Community Center Design
Project Name: SAIL Center
Location: Surat, Gujarat, India
Year Built: 2023
Built-up Area: 30138.95 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Mona Doctor-Pingel
Photograph Courtesy: Ishi Sitwala
Team: Mona Doctor-Pingel, Ojas Vyas, Alma Anna Bakhlina, Roshita Sudhir, Mihir Desai
Client: HP Rama – Auro University, Surat, India
Structure: NPC Builders, Pondicherry
Contractor: Bhoomi Constructions, Ahmedabad + M/S DH Patel, Surat
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Studio Naqshbandi
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Naqshbandi
For Similar Project>> This Sustainable School Fosters Independence and Self-reliance
Editors’ Note – This colonial house in Delhi carries an ambience of grandeur, infused with the elegance of Victorian-style colonialism. Expansive living, dining, and kitchen areas open into light-filled spaces framed by large glazing that connect seamlessly to the surrounding landscape. Inside, tropical interiors with bold geometry add a contemporary layer of comfort. The residence […]
“Hilltop House” is envisioned as a contemporary yet context-sensitive residential project that harmonizes architecture and interior design to create a sanctuary perched on a scenic elevation. The design will respond directly to the topography, climate, and panoramic views, while delivering a highly functional, comfortable, and aesthetically refined living environment. This Hilltop House in Indore Is […]
In the layered urban grain of Manjeri, the Timeless House reimagines a 1970s sloping roof residence through careful transformation. It’s a home that doesn’t shout for attention, but quietly repositions itself within its time and place, a sensitive reinterpretation of memory, material, and movement. Originally built in 1972, the house was structurally sound, featuring load-bearing […]
Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]
This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
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 […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]