Interior Design Magazine’s March issue was labeled The Positivity Issue, showcasing examples of the positive influences architecture and design can have on a space and on a community. One example that stood out is the new biomedical engineering building for the Vidyalankar Institute of Technology in Mumbai. Planet 3 Studios converted an old warehouse into a group of facilities connected by an interior promenade with nooks and alcoves on a very tight budget. The alcoves have both pin up boards and graffiti boards, encouraging students to display their work and voice their opinions. Most of the classrooms open out to interaction zones or spill-out balconies to promote discussion between students. The cooridor symbolizes a scaled down version of the street. The unique design of the exterior also allows for the building to be naturally aerated at all times. The 1,95,000 square foot facility was built for just $500,000.
Planet 3′s director Kalhan Mattoo calls the facility, which is comprised of labs, offices, lecture halls and a cafe an “educational village.” He’s also managed to include a pool table, chess board and basketball court. Interior Design Magazine says “Ribbons of white-painted fiberboard undulate overhead, outlining the shapes of lotus petals, a Hindu symbol of the goddess of knowledge.” The thoughtful design of the space mesmerized me. But if that wasn’t enough the ribbons were the icing on the cake.
{Images via Planet 3 Studios and Interior Design Magazine}
