Mangifera Centre

The Mangifera Centre is a community space nestled within a thriving grove of mature mango trees on the outskirts of Bangalore. Conceived as an architecture that breathes with its landscape, the project fluidly weaves between the existing trees, preserving their natural growth patterns and integrating them as living architectural elements. Some trees rise through open courtyards, while others are gently skirted by the built form, allowing the canopy to cast dynamic patterns of light and shade throughout the day.

This semi-open, naturally ventilated structure accommodates a rich variety of community functions—seating zones, performance areas, informal classrooms, handicraft workshops, and a small restaurant. The spatial organization encourages flexible use, fostering spontaneous interactions and collective activities. The architecture is conceived as a continuous gesture where floor, columns, and roof merge seamlessly, forming a sculptural and organic ensemble that responds to the contours of the site.

Natural ventilation and diffused sunlight define the building’s microclimate. Every space is oriented to capture soft daylight and cross breezes, ensuring thermal comfort without mechanical cooling. The design eliminates enclosed boundaries, instead using transitional spaces and shaded verandahs to mediate between indoors and outdoors.

Constructed using locally available materials and low-cost techniques, the Mangifera Centre exemplifies sustainability rooted in simplicity. Its minimal built footprint and nearly zero carbon emissions highlight how thoughtful design can generate vibrant, multifunctional spaces without excess. Beyond its environmental ethos, the centre stands as a cultural and social landmark—a place for learning, recreation, and collective celebration, where architecture and nature coexist in perfect harmony.

Creating minimal embodied carbon footprint and almost no carbon footprint, the entire structure will be constructed in foam concrete constituted 80% of recycled materials with minimal water and electricity been utilized in its making.
With characteristics like ferrocement this foam concrete additionally has a high insulation properties reducing heat gain.

Sanjay Puri, Prachi Pawar, Malvika Patil, Sayyam Sancheti

Mangifera Centre by SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS in India won the WA Award Cycle 52. Please find below the WA Award poster for this project.