Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India

In March 2022, the Council of Architecture, India announced a two-stage competition for its Centre of Excellence, Bangalore. Arka Design Studio was one of the five teams that eventually made it to the final shortlist.

The following content (text, images, illustrations and videos) for the project is provided by the design firm. 

There lies a space under the glorious sun, a shifting sky,
Of invisible habitats, coexisting, flourishing and alive.
Of water and majestic trees, of clay and stubborn stones blues, greys browns and greens, different hues, vivid tones…
Amidst this rises a habitat, a centre of excellence, standing tall,
It is humble infact, a sincere indulgence, within playful walls
Three unequal pavilions, overlapping in a geometrical symphony
Working with the seasons, light filters in a magical harmony…

Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India 1

The Three Pavilions

It steps back and forth, a curious street of random discoveries
With some isolated chambers, and some vibrant spaces to meet
Its mathematical, a certain order, of lines seen and unseen
And yet a disorder in the order, discover the unexpected in between.

Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India 3

The site is located at the Bangalore University Campus. After identifying several axes from the plot profile and the surrounding context, a combination of the intersection of the axes created four boxes inside and outside the site.

The Pavilions consist of a steel structural frame within which is an interlacing of engineered bamboo panels which filters light in the walkways and meeting points. The juxtaposition of the three pavilions creates a random pattern of light and shadow.

Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India 11

Zoning

Design strategies

Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India 17

Movement: The blocks are connected at various levels, creating a lattice of circulation paths that encourage people to walk.

Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India 19

Expansion: The proposed design provided each block with the potential to expand by at least one floor while continuing to enjoy the protection of the pavilion. Additionally, the southwest corner of the site houses a temporary structure (the incomplete wall of greens) that can be dismantled for future expansion.

Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India 21

Slope: The site has a total level of 3 metres, allowing one end of the basement to have direct connectivity to the site, therefore removing the need for a ramp.

Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India 23

Openings: The pavilion gives the possibility of having open and naturally ventilated corridors toward the internal street and courtyard. Jaali walls facilitate wind movement from the west and east, while the south facade has minimal openings. Most openings orient toward the north.

Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India 25

The street of discoveries

The street of discoveries is the central spine of the project which connects the entrance to the activity plaza. It cuts through the various spaces, changing in scale and volume both horizontally and vertically and has various points of interest that establish the entries and exits into the different blocks. The large plaza which is about 16 by 16 meters is an activity space for talks, and performances, an extension of the exhibition space and spill-out spaces from the activities that surround it.

Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, Competition Entry by Arka Design Studio | Council of Architecture, India 31

Renders

Floorplans

Sections

All images and text courtesy: Arka Design Studio

Share your comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent

Book Cover - Strengthening Capacities for Climate Resilience. © Abirbhav Sanyal

Book Announcement | Strengthening Capacities for Climate Resilience, by Vandana Sehgal, Ritu Gulati, Farheen Bano, and Abirbhav Sanyal

This book “Strengthening Capacities for Climate Resilience”, authored by Dr. Vandana Sehgal, Dr. Ritu Gulati, Dr. Farheen Bano, and Ar. Abhirbhav Sanyal, documents the BCAUSYOUCARE Project, which addresses urban heat stress in Ayodhya, India. Through urban mapping, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement, the project develops and implements climate resilience strategies, offering valuable lessons for other cities.

Read More »

“As much as this book may help young students to become good architects… it seeks to restore the idealism that was once the hallmark of the profession.”—Praveen Bavadekar reviews Five Architectural Fables

Praveen Bavadekar, in his review for Five Architectural Fables by Edgar Demello, opines how the architectural fables ingeniously critique urban design through non-human perspectives, transforming complex environmental and design challenges into provocative, imaginative storytelling.

Read More »
Into The Wild, Tamil Nadu, by Earthscape Studio. © Studio IKSHA

Into The Wild, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu, by Earthscape Studio

Earthscape Studio’s “Into the Wild” is a 1450 sq. ft. sustainable farmhouse, in Tamil Nadu. The building’s unique form, achieved through a “fold architecture” technique, minimizes environmental impact. The use of traditional materials like mud plaster and the integration of green spaces contribute to the home’s eco-friendly approach.

Read More »
Monokuro, Ahmedabad, by Compartment s4. © Atik Bheda (3)

Monokuro, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, by Compartment S4

The Monokuro project by Compartment S4, is a design of adaptive reuse for the transformation of a dilapidated canteen block in Ahmedabad into a modern office space, honoring its architectural legacy while integrating sustainable design and fostering community interaction through adaptive reuse.

Read More »