Landmark Institutional Architecture
Designing campuses and workspaces that breathe, use less energy, and bring comfort to the people inside.
The exterior of a LEED Platinum certified office building I designed in Greater Noida. The design incorporates large overhangs and a prominent solar panel array on the roof, showcasing its sustainable credentials from the outside.
The central courtyard of the LEED Platinum office building. The custom-made trickle fountain and pond are not just aesthetic features; they act as a natural heat sink, using evaporative cooling to manage the micro-climate of the entire building.
A soothing view of the trickle fountain in motion. This water feature is a key part of the building's passive cooling system, creating a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere in the central courtyard.
A view looking up at the bamboo pergola and green wall at the building's entrance. These elements provide shading on the south-west facade and create a dramatic, nature-filled entry experience.
The same view of the pergola and green wall in black and white, emphasizing the strong architectural lines and the texture of the bamboo and foliage against the sky.
Revisiting one of my classic projects: the Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) in Jaipur. The campus is planned around a series of linked courtyards, with a local pinkish-grey quartzite used as the primary construction material.
The stone-clad facade of the IIHMR Jaipur campus. The building was designed with an evaporative cooling system, and a causeway on the site acts as a dam to impound rainwater, helping to recharge the local water table.
A brief tour of the Institute of Rural Research And Development (IRRAD), another one of my projects. The design centers on a shaded courtyard with a water body and bamboo features, creating a cool and tranquil space for work and collaboration.
About Landmark Institutional Projects
In my office designs, we do not rely solely on air conditioning. For the LEED Platinum project in Greater Noida, we installed a custom trickle fountain in the central courtyard. It acts as a natural heat sink, cooling the air before it circulates through the building. This simple, elegant mechanism manages the building's micro-climate without high energy costs.
Architecture is not just about the footprint on the ground but how a building interacts with its environment over decades. When I approach institutional projects, such as the Indian Institute of Health Management Research in Jaipur, the goal is to create a campus that feels alive. We used local pinkish-grey quartzite to ground the structures in their landscape, minimizing transport costs and utilizing regional craftsmanship.
Key to these designs is passive cooling. Instead of high-energy mechanical systems, we use courtyard layouts to encourage stack-effect ventilation. At the Institute of Rural Research and Development, the shaded courtyards and water bodies provide a tranquil space for collaboration, proving that large-scale institutional buildings can be thermally comfortable without being energy-hungry. We also integrate water management directly into the architecture, with causeways that act as dams to impound rainwater, recharging the local water table and regenerating soil quality.
My institutional work focuses on three pillars:
- Passive Solar Layout: Orienting buildings to capture winter sun while blocking harsh summer heat.
- Material Efficiency: Using excavated earth for compressed blocks and integrating recycled structural elements.
- Resilience: Planning for disaster mitigation and water neutrality to ensure these buildings serve their communities for generations.
Institutional architecture must balance scale with the human need for well-being. Whether it is a research campus or a corporate office, the building should be a tool that reduces electricity dependence while providing a dignified, comfortable environment.
Ashok B Lall
I am Ashok Lall. My approach to large-scale architecture is simple: if a building is too hot or too cold, the people inside won't feel at home. Whether it is an institute or a corporate office, I focus on passive cooling and natural ventilation to ensure these large spaces remain comfortable throughout the year.
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