Master Planning & Campus Design
A selection of our master planning work, showcasing how we integrate structural logic with site context. From industrial campuses to public arenas, we focus on flow, function, and the dialogue between built space and nature.
This aerial view of our competition entry for the Hangzhou Arena encapsulates my approach to master planning. The design establishes a clear dialogue between the high-density urban district and the natural topography of the adjacent hills, with circulation pathways defining the flow of public space.
At the Ajax Engineering campus, individual buildings like this cafeteria and cloakroom are designed as distinct architectural forms that contribute to the whole. The cantilevered roof and strategic window placements are not just aesthetic choices; they are part of the larger campus identity.
Campus connectivity is a critical component of my master planning strategy. This bridge at the Ajax facility is a key artery, linking production and ancillary buildings to ensure seamless operational flow and pedestrian movement, demonstrating how infrastructure becomes an integral part of the architectural expression.
I design spaces that are intuitive to navigate. This view showcases the vertical circulation core at the Ajax campus, where intersecting staircases and bridges create a dynamic and efficient connection between different levels and buildings, encouraging interaction and movement.
A master plan must create a sense of place. This rendering of the Hangzhou Arena illustrates how the structure interacts with its environment at dusk, becoming a landmark that serves both its primary function as a sports venue and its civic role as a public gathering space.
The arrival experience is a planned sequence. Here at the Ajax office block, a carefully landscaped stone pathway guides visitors from the green campus grounds to the building entrance, demonstrating my principle of integrating nature and architecture from the very first step.
About Featured
Master planning goes beyond placing structures on a plot; it is a logic puzzle involving terrain analysis, logistics, and human movement. Whether we are planning a heavy-industry site like Ajax Engineering or an urban arena, we prioritize how the site's natural contours define the flow. We do not force the land to fit the plan. Instead, we design circulation—bridges, walkways, and open patches—so the campus feels like a single, cohesive organism.
Our approach to master planning is grounded in two core pillars: context and function. We believe a site is not a blank slate but a set of conditions that dictate the design.
Industrial and Corporate Planning
For industrial sites, such as the Ajax Engineering campus, our focus shifts to logistics and operational efficiency. We analyze the terrain to minimize cut-and-fill costs, creating segregated routes for heavy goods vehicles versus employee traffic. By placing production blocks and administrative zones strategically, we ensure a seamless workflow. Green pockets are not just visual add-ons; they are integrated 'pause points' that offer relief from the built environment.
Institutional and Public Infrastructure
When we handle complex projects like arenas or institutional campuses, we emphasize sculptural geometry and crowd flow. We analyze the site’s relationship with the city fabric and the existing topography. This involves simulating pedestrian movement to manage high-volume traffic while preserving natural heritage features like rocks or mature trees. Our design process often explores vertical circulation and cantilevers, ensuring that public interfaces—like viewing galleries or plazas—interact fluidly with the street level.
The Design Logic
Regardless of the project scale, we adhere to the principle of true-to-material architecture. Whether it is concrete, steel, or wood, we let the materials express their inherent qualities. We design for the long term, ensuring buildings and nature grow together rather than competing for space. Every walkway, bridge, and building footprint is a direct response to the project's specific requirements, resulting in a site that is intuitive to navigate and pleasant to inhabit.
Funktion Design
We are Funktion Design, a team of Bangalore-based architects focused on conceptual clarity and structural honesty. We approach master planning as a rigorous design challenge, ensuring every factory, campus, or public space we create is as functional as it is inspiring.
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