Sejpal and Raje Architects were appointed in 2021 to design the Organic Research and Training Centre (ORTC) in Bylakuppe, Karnataka. This is the second-largest Tibetan settlement in India after Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, and it comprises Buddhist monasteries, temples, and universities. ORTC is an important institution for the research and dissemination of sustainable farming and animal husbandry methods. It has established a heritage seed bank and is teaching the younger Tibetans about Indigenous traditional and organic farming methods and their relevance today.
Editor’s Note: “With mud bricks crafted from the local soil, this Organic Research and Training Centre in Karnataka offers a serene environment. Intricate brick detailing enriches the texture, bringing life through a dance of light and shadow. The filler slab, combined with the central courtyard, enhances the design’s cost-effectiveness while adding a touch of aesthetic charm.” ~Simran Khare
This Research Centre Imparts a Valuable Sense of Identity | Sejpal and Raje Architects
The building reflects ORTC’s ethos of organic farming and agriculture by using sustainable building materials and technology. This is to create a climatically appropriate building.
S&RA’s innovative and elegant design for the new building comprises facilities for Research, Development, Training, and Administration. The building serves as the gateway to the ORTC campus and imparts a valuable sense of identity and inspiration to the staff, trainees, and visitors.
The building is designed as a series of well-ventilated spaces with verandahs around a lush green internal courtyard with lawns.
Towards the road, an amphitheater for large events surrounded by groves of coconut trees is situated. The larger Tibetan community can also use both gathering spaces, even when the rest of the building is closed.
Mud bricks, crafted from the local soil, form the foundation of this eco-friendly centre. These bricks minimize environmental impact and contribute to the building’s thermal insulation, maintaining a comfortable interior climate year-round.
Besides the porosity for ventilation, the brick detailing provides rich patterns and texture to the facades, and the stepped brick structures make the walls come alive with the play of shade and light.
The load-bearing system using sun-dried mud-stabilized brick and filler slab helped in reducing the amount of cement and steel used in the building and also proved to be cost-effective.
The rhythmic sloping roof forms supported on slender beams give the building a buoyant and light feeling while responding to the region’s heavy rainfall and enabling efficient water management and harvesting.
Rainwater cascades down the chain columns gracefully onto the ground beneath, watering the grass and planting, thereby supporting the local ecosystem.
S&RA, along with SAPA our Associates on this project, welcome you to visit and experience the innovative and sustainable green architecture of the Organic Research and Training Centre to see the exceptional programs and training taking place at the Centre and meet the talented and committed members of the local community that work here.
Fact File
Designed by: Sejpal and Raje Architects
Project Type: Institution Design
Project Name: Organic Research & Training Centre
Location: Bylakuppe, Karnataka
Year Built: 2023
Project Size: 7211.82 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Shraddha Sejpal & Rita Raje
Design Team: Pranita Sawant & Harshali Pande
Photograph Courtesy: Santosh Kardak
Structural Designers: Mrinmayee consultants
Project Management: SAPA Architects
Landscape Designers: SAPA Architects
Associate Architects: Noopur Sejpal, Zubin Parekh
Contractor: K N Amarnath Civil Contractor
Mep Consultant: K N Amarnath Civil Contractor
Manufacturers: Cera-duravit, Jaquar, MS windows
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: Sejpal and Raje Architects
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 […]