Location: Akbarpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh

Built up area: 1100 sqft

Time schedule: 2023

Owner: Raghuraji devi foundation trust

Lead Architects: Shaily Gupta

Design Team: Meghna

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND CONCEPT:

The client needed to re-plan, de-clutter and expand the services area, at the entrance of the Taksila academy. The triangular plot juts out of the main site area. The new project was planned to sit in a way not to disturb the existing boundary wall and still be able to gain the maximum area to build.

The block comprises of a guard room, services area, electrical panels room, dg space and toilets. The guard room is abutting the boundary wall to enable the guards to keep a check on the main gate and also the rest of the block. The block also provides a shaded court and a room for the staff/ drivers to sit in between their work hours.

The design approach is straightforward and relies a lot on the site context. Exposed ordinary bricks with metal structure are chosen as materials keeping in mind the limited budget. The materials allowed for a dry construction technique, which subsequently saved on the construction time also. The geometry plays an important role in achieving the architectural solution. The nature of the functions of the spaces, led to the balance and play of opacity and transparency of the block. It allowed for a mostly opaque façade from outside and more open towards the courtyard.

photographs-©sohaib ilyas