The structure should unfold like a story, the sequence of elements as the structure unfolds marking the experience as well as surprise, where the emotional quotient is addressed with functionality, states Architect Sanjay Mohe of Mindspace Architects, talking about architecture and design intent.
“It is about focusing on the soul of the structure rather than the skin which is nothing but the wrapper”, he adds, pointing to the manner of evolution of a building and more specifically his designs in his over three-and-a-half decades long career.
Mohe’s structures reveal simple lines and minimalist inclinations, yet pack in the intense soul that is hard to miss as one walks through his spaces. As intense as his minimalist leanings is his inclination to make nature part of the interiors. His seamless blending of the indoors with outdoors is so perfect as to question where the interiors end and outdoors begin.
“Just as the façade of a building needs to reflect inner beauty, the intermediate spaces prevailing between enclosed and open areas are important and our structures blur this demarcation effectively”, says Mohe. According to him, infusion of outdoors into the interiors brings in positive energy, enabling the building to breathe by itself.
“Sustainability is about the manner of use of nature, the natural light and ventilation, where the amount received is just right, in terms of functionality and emotional quotient”, he says adding, “In accordance with light and activity, spaces require crafting.”
His structures display total absence of ornamentation besides using local materials extensively. Abundant presence of exposed concrete and white plastered walls is evident in most of his structures. “White and grey are timeless as you do not tire of natural colours”, he says. His project Karunashraya, a home for terminally ill cancer patients, reflects his design inclination in abundance.
Built to house 70-odd beds, the structure, constructed fully in granite stone, mingles seamlessly with the waterbodies and trees surrounding it. “The final days of one’s life should be spent in a serene meditative ambience and water offers this tranquil aura”. The rooms further open on to the rising sun in a symbolic gesture, keeping in view the condition of the inmates. The west is sealed, not only keeping out harsh sunlight but also the possible negative undertones of a setting sun.
Flexible spaces
His project Dr. Reddy’s Research Lab blends in a regimental approach with flexible spaces. A discovery trail with sunlit open to sky spaces, takes one through curved tapering pathways culminating in a fleet of steps. The route marks many a surprise element, the sunlit patterns enlivening the dining, library and admin areas falling into this flexible segment of the building. An amphitheatre encompassing trees and water bodies further connects to the learning and recreational centre.
“The floors and walls are of the same colour and texture, creating the illusion of a space carved out of a cave at night while daylight brings in an interesting shadow play from the altering patterns of sunlight that streams in”, says Mohe.
Surprise elements
The Digital Library of IISc campus brings forth similar blending of nature and surprise elements. Home to a cluster of large trees as well as a pit, the design involved a central courtyard around these trees with varied spaces created to suit different modes of learning. Open corridors overlooking the trees connect the indoors seamlessly with outdoors. “Some prefer under the trees, some next to a window, others under a high roof, some with their feet planted in water. The seating elements offered accommodate all the diverse inclinations of study patterns”, smiles Mohe.
Care College, Tiruchi, built next to a lake, again speaks a language that is totally divergent from a conventional engineering institute. Visualised and started from the core spaces of the common rooms, the structure incorporates a circulation path around this core that leads to individual disciplines of engineering and thence forward to individual labs. The entire building is planned as a series of courtyards connecting to individual rooms, the open areas on either side permitting unhindered flow of natural light and ventilation.
The structure opens on to a lake where the labs face the water body, while the core classrooms too enjoy a glimpse of water from within through the steps and wind tunnels connecting them. “The design is similar to temple architecture with its multiple layers. The classrooms open on to courtyards just like the open and enclosed spaces found in a temple mantap”, explains Mohe.
Interestingly his project Sai Temple is a contemporary visualisation of our temple structures, the traditional shikara retained, yet layered from outside, the traditional kalasha housed on a glass pyramid which is a small crystal, the multiple layers of shikhara formed around it. The gaps are sealed with glass, permitting interesting sunlight patterns into the interiors.
