Designing Educational Spaces that Foster Community
We believe campuses should do more than teach—they should connect. Our educational projects blend natural light, climate-responsive design, and social spaces to create environments where students and faculty thrive.
The Sona University Library is conceived as a vertical campus, with a striking facade of glass, stone, and jali screens. The design stacks diverse functions, from the library and auditorium to residential floors, creating a vibrant academic and cultural hub for the university.
The double-height reading room at Sona University is bathed in natural northern light, creating an inspiring and comfortable environment for study. The tall windows and clean lines connect the interior with the surrounding landscape, promoting focus and well-being.
We believe architecture should facilitate human connection. Here at the Sona University Centre, the grand staircase seating provides a perfect spot for students to pause, engage in quiet conversations, and build the friendships that define the campus experience.
A full view of the multi-level staircase seating at Sona University, designed as an amphitheater-like space for social interaction. The large skylight above illuminates the area, making it a central point for student life and collaborative activities within the library block.
We are proud that our Sona University Centre and Library project was nominated for the ArchDaily Building of the Year Award. This recognition affirms our commitment to creating innovative educational spaces that foster community and dialogue.
The grand entrance of the Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre, shortlisted for the LOOP Design Awards. The design features a commanding brick facade and a sweeping canopy, creating a welcoming gateway that reflects the institution's stature.
We are honored to announce that the Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre won the LOOP Design Awards 2024 for Healthcare Architecture. This award is a testament to our team's dedication to creating impactful, human-centric healing spaces.
About this collection
We do not believe in corridors as mere pathways. In our campus projects, we treat circulation areas as "social spines"—widening staircases into amphitheater-like seating, integrating green courtyards, and using open-plan layouts to ensure that every corner of the building becomes a spot for a conversation, a debate, or a moment of quiet focus.
Architecture as an Ecosystem for Learning
Educational architecture requires more than just functional classrooms; it requires an environment that actively participates in the pedagogical process. For decades, we have moved away from the traditional, rigid institutional model to create fluid, campus-wide ecosystems.
Climate-Responsive Engineering
Sustainability is not an afterthought in our designs. We employ climate-responsive building techniques to ensure comfort without relying solely on mechanical systems. By utilizing traditional jalis (lattice screens) and deep-set windows, we mitigate solar heat gain while allowing for natural ventilation and daylighting. This is evident in our work at Sona University and the Symbiosis University Hospital, where brick, stone, and glass are used not just for aesthetics, but to regulate the internal environment.
The Collaborative Process: Our SCRUM Methodology
Institutional projects involve a complex web of stakeholders. To navigate this, we employ a SCRUM-based approach during the pre-design phase. We conduct intensive, multi-day workshops—or "Sprints"—to align board members, faculty, and administration on the project’s functional intent. This ensures that the final design is backed by a clear consensus, balancing budgetary realities with long-term institutional goals.
Designing for Social Interaction
Whether it is the central courtyard at Hyderabad Public School or the reading halls at Sona University, our focus is on spontaneous social energy. We define hardscapes versus softscapes to optimize maintenance, ensuring that the green spaces we create are actually used, not just admired. Every project, from urban junior colleges to expansive university campuses, is designed to encourage students to step out of their classrooms and engage with their peers and their surroundings.
IMK Architects
We are IMK Architects. We have spent over six decades figuring out how to build campuses that actually feel alive, rather than just functioning as institutional boxes. For us, a successful school or university project is one where the architecture itself encourages students to step out of the classroom and engage with each other and the natural environment.
Looking for a different type of project?
Explore our other architectural work across various sectors.
More from Institutional & Public Architecture by IMK Architects