Not only do architects design buildings, but they also design the spaces surrounding them. Institutional design initiatives provide a tangible opportunity to play, explore, educate, and excite minds. One of the features that distinguish the architectural design of diverse organizations is a philosophy that extends beyond the structures and concerns the unbuilt spaces.
The design of the institutes has always been one of the best playgrounds for architectural skills. Architects have expressed themselves admirably over the world through educational projects. An institutional architecture should create an environment that is instilled with the institute’s philosophy.
Institutional Architecture
With 546 million people under the age of 25 years, the existing infrastructure of the country is not equipped to cater to this large population. Throughout history and across the globe, it has been clear that regardless of curriculum, the architecture of institutes must inspire, induce, and impose a particular magnitude and profundity that distinguishes the space as an institution.
Architectural Philosophy
A sense of scale and a play of character potentially define the nature of the institute, absorbing the context and conditions to address all levels of form and function. Even though academic institutions have diverse teaching philosophies and methodologies, there are essential similarities in their architectural representation.
Institutions need to be architecturally correct. The aesthetic should be simple enough for timeless longevity, yet powerful enough to leave an impact on the mind of the student. A conundrum that must be visually neutral while also being overwhelming.
Purpose of institutional architecture
One of the purposes of an institutional architecture is to provide a canvas for students to change, play, transform, own up to, and identify with their environment while they step out to different shapes, sizes, and textures of spaces that are defined for various activities.
Models of architectural institutions
Internationally many institutions have a notable name and recognition among students; in India as well, from Oxford to Cambridge, Stanford to Harvard, all acclaimed campuses command an architecturally sound built vocabulary.
The Utrecht campus, in the Netherlands, with its mix of faculties demonstrates the power and influence of architecture. The library, the Educatorium, the Design school, and the faculty of Economics are all icons of contemporary architecture in the education space.
In America, the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Yale-New Haven campus with an interesting mix of buildings – Saarinen’s Ingalls Rink, the Beinecke Library, and the greenest building on campus – Kroon hall amongst many others.
India too possesses such beautiful architecturally embedded institutions that portray an inspirational and educational value just by the architecture building. Some of the profound institutions that fall under this remark are the IIT Kanpur, IIM Ahmedabad, and IIM Bangalore, the Palms Campus at Dasna is an apt manifestation of how the architecture of institutions differs with the nature of its users and the philosophy of the institute per se, the Taurian World School at Ranchi is probably the finest example as well.
Institutional Positioning
An ideal architectural design for an institution should be in such a way that it can accommodate a wide range of educational projects. It is equally vital to build a world-class global school with the highest level of materials and technology to foster an environment that is most suitable for academic thought and development. Clean geometry, a well-lit cube of glass that serves as the library, and a controlled concrete block of laboratories are some of the ways institutions should position themselves architecturally.
Beyond Buildings
Every architectural structure of an institution differs in terms of philosophy and knowledge. Open spaces are just as vital as buildings themselves. Representation of values and character, which supplement the soft teachings delivered inside these structures should resonate with the style and function. A place of learning should align the physical and the philosophical idea of the institute.