The building aimed to address a key national issue: what interventions are needed to improve the vocational educational and training system in the country.
We intended to define a new typology of institute that breaks away from established norms in vocational training and focus on development of core capabilities and critical technical skill in a revolutionary environment.The institution needed to be attuned to the latest global thought processes and ideas and help up-skill the labour class by providing state of the art facilities.
A formal exploration with spherical objects was done to best understand the intricacies of the form.
A sweet lime was sliced and various study drawings were made. From here, evolved the translucent membrane that would diffuse the sunlight and create nice soothing working environments.
The various intersections between slices, etc formed the interactive spaces, where out of class learning through discussions cross interactions between students and staff, alike, will happen.
2011
The thin shell concrete domes can be built quickly and economically by using inflatable forms. They are one of the simplest and most efficient concrete structures to build; Yet not often used because of the cost and complexity typically needed for dome construction.
However by using an inflated form ,made of high strength architectural fabric (similar to super-heavy tarpaulin) contractors can easily create the dome shape. Workers then apply shotcrete to the form exterior, using only one-third the material required for conventional concrete buildings.
Arjun Rathi, Arijit Sen