search
  • The Steel Roof Design Presents Dual Fronts And No Back | Thirdspace Architecture Studio

    Can a building wear two faces, presenting itself with dual fronts and no back? How does it gracefully blend into its surroundings from one angle while commanding attention as a singular force from another? How can opposing elements find harmony within a single structure? These were the inquiries driving the steel roof design of the Indoor Sports Arena at KLE Technological University—a quest to reconcile the dichotomies of architecture and landscape, figure and ground, city and campus.

    Editor’s Note: “The Indoor Sports Arena of KLE Technological University is an architectural outcome displaying a duality—striking urban on one side and incorporated into the campus fabric from another. This design has an envelope formed by a pyramidal steel roof, where zinc cladding and greenery make for an interesting architectural discourse, serving both functional and community spaces.” ~ Anusha Sridhar

    The Steel Roof Design Presents Dual Fronts And No Back | Thirdspace Architecture Studio

    steel roof design

    Site Context

    Nestled within the sprawling 100-acre university campus, the site possesses a unique duality. Moreover, it faces a bustling six-lane intercity road on one side. Additionally, it opens up to the serene expanse of the campus on the other, juxtaposing urban vigor with tranquil greens. 

    steel roof design

    The conflicting perspectives of the university’s leadership catalyzed innovation. While the Chancellor voiced concerns about obstructing campus views and encroaching on green spaces, the Vice Chancellor envisioned the arena as a beacon. Thus, reshaping the cityscape and asserting the university’s presence. These opposing viewpoints become the framework for the design process.

    Site’s Natural Gradient As Advantage

    Taking advantage of the site’s natural gradient, the building gracefully descends into the ground from the campus side while maintaining a striking presence facing the city. This sectional shift allows the structure to seamlessly merge with the landscape while making a bold architectural statement. 

    steel roof design

    steel roof design

    Despite the constraints imposed by sports facility standards, the design prioritizes integration with the environment. By sinking large volumes of space into the ground, the building harmonizes with the campus landscape, with the central courts serving as anchor points around which ancillary facilities revolve.

    steel roof design

    steel roof design

    Architectural Language

    The architectural language further emphasizes this dialogue between built form and nature. A pyramidal steel roof with an intricate structure crowns the central courts, while a green roof envelops the periphery, blurring the boundaries between structure and landscape. 

    steel roof design

    Access to the arena is carefully orchestrated, with plazas and pathways designed to extend the campus social fabric into and around the facility. From the inside, the building caters to its programmatic needs, while from the outside, it seamlessly integrates into the campus environment.

    Beyond Functionality

    Beyond its functional role, the arena aspires to be a communal space, transcending its utilitarian purpose. By weaving plazas, pathways, and gardens into its design, it invites interaction and engagement from the broader community, blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces. 

    Externally, the building’s zinc cladding and glass facade command attention, rising from the ground with an air of grandeur. Yet, its upturned corner and playful undertones hint at a more intimate, inviting interior.

    As sunlight dances upon its zinc skin, the arena comes to life, casting dramatic hues and revealing glimpses of its vibrant interiors. It stands as a testament to its complexity, simultaneously asserting its presence on the cityscape while melding seamlessly into the campus landscape. 

    In essence, the Sports Arena transcends its role as a mere facility, emerging as a symbol of hyper-urbanity in harmonious co-existence with its surroundings.

    Fact File

    Designed by: Thirdspace Architecture Studio

    Project Type: Recreation & Training, University

    Project Name: Figured Ground – University Sports Arena 

    Location: Hubballi, Karnataka

    Year Built: 2023

    Project Size: 48437.6 Sq.ft

    Principal Architects: Praveen Bavadekar & Namrata Betigiri

    Project Architect: Ashwani Choudhary

    Photograph Courtesy: Niveditaa Gupta, Andre J Fanthome & Studio Noughts & Crosses

    Manufacturers: Instacrete, Merinolam, VMZINC

    Landscape Design: EcoInscape, Sudhir Choughule – EcoInscape

    Structural Design: Manjunath&Co, B.L.Manjunath – Manjunath&Co

    Source: Archdaily

    Firm’s Instagram Link: Thirdspace Architecture Studio

    For Similar Projects >> A Vocational Training Institute in Aurangabad while Focusing on Improved Social Responsibility

    This Contemporary Courtyard House Creates a Serene Urban Oasis | Ace Associates

    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 […]

    Read More

    This Multi Generational Home Blends Aesthetics & Functionality | Design Consortium

    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 […]

    Read More

    Modern Luxury & Sophistication Shapes This Anand Home | Hiren Patel Architect Design

    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 […]

    Read More

    This Monolithic Home in the Himalayas Evokes a Singular Silhouette | Portal 92

    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 […]

    Read More

    Ishaar, a Holiday Villa is Rooted in Brutalist Tactility and Calm | Addy’s studio

    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 […]

    Read More

    Vishram Vaadi Nu Ghar is a Countryside House Design Immersed in Greens | Ikshhana Design Studio

    “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 […]

    Read More

    This Ezhupunna Home is Rooted in Eco-friendly Design | Judson Associates Architects & Interiors

    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 […]

    Read More

    Modest Houses in New Anjar Reflect Clarity and Intergenerational Harmony | Sulemans Design Studio

    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 […]

    Read More

    This Urban Residence Pairs Clean Lines with a Minimalist House Design Interior | Studio Rudrang

    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 […]

    Read More

    House of Silhouettes Reflects Contemporary Modern Architecture | Shaunak Singh and Associates

    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 […]

    Read More
  • This Commercial Design Narrates Diversity of Human Skin | Ark Architecture Studio

    6 Ways Neon Signs Can Improve Your Home Decor