(Photo: Purple Ink Studio / Suryan // Dang)
The MSAP Architecture & Design School, designed by the renowned Purple Ink Studio, is a testament to innovative architectural design. It sprawls across a 1,45,000-square-foot area in Manipal, Karnataka. This prestigious institution, part of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, accommodates 1200 students specializing in Architecture, Design, and Fashion, fostering a dynamic and collaborative academic environment.
The school's design respects the natural topography, situated on a contoured 3.9-acre site with an 18-meter slope towards the southeast. Based on a 10x10 meter grid, the layout steps down along the contours, providing students and faculty with unobstructed views of the lush valley below. The campus is organized into four blocks that converge around a central open space, serving as an informal stepped forum. This area not only makes it easier for students to interact with their professors but also employs wayfinding that helps visually link the different blocks in the campus to improve students' sense of belonging.
Integrated system approaches Another important aspect of the design was the positioning of the buildings, where consideration was given to the direction of winds to achieve free convection all over the compound. Thus, with black and white granite, which was brought in from the local area paving, the central courtyard's pattern reflects the architecture's shadows. The pattern depicts the functional aspect of the space. Also, here, the artistic element comes into the picture. Meandering staircases link various terraces, providing panoramic views and encouraging spontaneous interactions among students and staff.
(Photo: Purple Ink Studio / Suryan // Dang)
Terracotta-Clad Terraces Offer Expansive Views
The design studios, positioned on the topmost level, open into a stepped court/terrace open to the sky. Clad in warm terracotta bricks, these terraces serve as informal outdoor spaces where students can contemplate, collaborate, and enjoy the expansive valley views. The broad corridors, interspersed with punctured volumes, promote interaction and display student work, fostering a culture of collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange.
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The entrance to the MSAP campus is a striking feature, conceived as a fluidic form that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. This entrance doubles as a series of undulating steps leading to the auditorium and administrative spaces. Purple Ink Studio's design pays homage to local cultural and architectural traditions, drawing inspiration from the Udupi Shri Krishna Matha. The complex structure, combining reinforced cement concrete (RCC) and ferrocement, achieves a twisted form that reveals entry points marked by flowing brick waves, which have become a defining characteristic of the campus.
(Photo: Purple Ink Studio / Suryan // Dang)
Emphasis on Durability and Cultural Integration
The material palette for the MSAP Architecture & Design School emphasizes durability and low maintenance. Exposed concrete ceilings are speckled with colors inspired by the regional cultural landscape, adding a subtle yet vibrant aesthetic. This design credo advocates for creative exploration and juxtaposition of the two main structural concerns, the architectural creations immersed in the landscape that fosters a culture of seeking and communication.
Resting within this blend is the new campus; the design does not just meet the physical requirements of an institute of learning but simultaneously fashions out a set of interconnected, open, freeform spaces that do justice to the landscape. The constructive positioning of the buildings, the proper incorporation of materials and cultural symbols of the locale into the campus environment, and the provision of lively learning interaction zones all enhance an environment that promotes effective learning and creativity.
In conclusion, Purple Ink Studio's design for the MSAP Architecture & Design School is a masterful blend of functionality, aesthetics, and cultural sensitivity. It sets a new benchmark for educational institutions, offering students and faculty an inspiring space to learn, innovate, and grow. This project exemplifies how thoughtful design can transform educational spaces into vibrant, interactive, and harmonious environments.
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