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
This contemporary courtyard house is designed within constraints that often give rise to the most creative solutions. This residence, nestled in a landlocked plot flanked by development on three sides, represents a unique architectural intervention that turns limitation into opportunity. The client’s vision was both unusual and ambitious: to create a twin house under one […]
This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing a […]
In this modern luxury home, courtyards spill into living spaces, and the lines between inside and outside dissolve into a seamless whole. This 17,800 sq. ft. bungalow in Anand, by Hiren Patel Architects, blurs the boundaries between landscape, architecture, and interiors, creating a home where nature isn’t just the backdrop but an integral part of […]
Nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik range, the Himalayas is our latest project, Ekasham — a private residence refurbishment and redevelopment project, spread across an area of 2177 sqm. The monolithic home, through its volumes, composed of old and new structures, merges into a singular silhouette evoking the presence of a monolith from which […]
Ishaar is rooted in the belief that architecture should not just be seen, but deeply felt. Drawing from brutalist principles and natural tactility, the holiday villa is designed as a sensory retreat, where material, sound, light, and temperature shape the guest’s experience. Set amidst rural farmland, the villa dissolves into its landscape through a choreography […]
“Vishram Vaadi Nu Ghar” means a serene retreat amidst mango and chikoo farms, crafted to reflect the client’s vision in their mother tongue Gujarati. Vishram is a serene ground-touch structure offering breathtaking views of the Purna River and is a thoughtful example of countryside house design. Nestled amidst lush Amba and Chikoo Vaadi, the design […]
This single-story sustainable home in Ezhupunna blends traditional Kerala architecture with tropical, eco-friendly design. Inspired by the “kullakadavu” concept, a central pond encourages family interaction while enhancing the landscape. This Ezhupunna Home is Rooted in Eco-friendly Design | Judson Associates Architects & Interiors Despite being near lakes and beaches, adding a pond improves year-round moisture […]
In the heart of New Anjar, a small town tucked into the arid landscape of Kachchh, Gujarat, sits one of those modest houses designed with a quiet sense of clarity. Built for a Muslim family spanning three generations, the home isn’t trying to make a bold statement from its street-facing façade. Instead, it leans into […]
The house showcases a modern three-story residence exemplifying contemporary architectural design through its clean lines, geometric volumes, and a balanced interplay of materials. The facade skillfully combines textured tile cladding, smooth plaster, and contrasting color blocks in neutral shades of gray, black, and earthy rust, adding visual depth and dynamism. Expansive glass panels framed in […]
House of Silhouettes is located in Navratan, Udaipur. The plot is a corner one facing north and west 60’x40′ with a built-up area of 6500 sq.ft., designed in contemporary modern architecture as an independent house at three levels, including terrace. House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates This contemporary residence […]