The School of Law designed by 42MM Architecture embodies a puristic planning approach where function driven spaces are organized in orthogonal configuration and interspersed with intuitive circulation

42MM Architecture

Fact File
Name of Project: School of Law
Client: Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal
Built Up Area: 50,000 sqft
Architectural Firm: 42MM Architecture
Structural Consultants: CS Bhandari
MEP: Design Center Consulting Engineers
Cost of Project: 1.2 cr.

The brief was to create a distinctive building incorporating academic spaces, break-out spaces, staff offices, a 250-seater auditorium, and offices. The building’s design is reflective of an inclusive approach as opposed to a grandiose and imposing one. This sense of inclusivity was realized through ‘internalizing’ the entrance of the building and creating a plaza around which the building wraps.

42MM Architecture

Vertical circulation has also been inset well within the building envelope to give easy access to the occupational areas and allow for unimpeded views of the forest greens. Protruding occupancy zones allow the creation of multiple opportunities for daylight penetration. The sense of layering of multi-format space across the various floors interconnected with a series of experiential free flowing spaces translates on the ground plane and in the building’s façade as well. At night, this arrangement helps create an active environment around the periphery of the building by bringing light and a sense of engagement.

Visual connectivity across a free-flowing floor plate is imposed with purposeful intent through unimpeded wide corridors that traverse along varied functions and spaces. This visual connectivity is also incorporated in the vertical layering of the functions with large atriums and cut outs across floors. Not only does this open up the building but also helps engage the occupiers by creating a series of spatial experiences as they traverse through the building.
Priyanka Khanna & Rudraksh Charan
The building site was the highest point of the campus, which is nestled in the midst of a forest, and it was only logical to respond to the unparalleled views and open vistas offered by the site while considering the spatial planning

Priyanka Khanna & Rudraksh Charan

Climatologically, the building responds to the harsh glare of Bhopal’s summer sun by introducing vertical ‘barriers’ in the façade that act as glazing support systems while also creating a sense of verticality to the building. The vertical elements are capped with a floating element at the roof level that introduces a termination to these elements and helps us stay true to the geometric purity of the form.

42MM Architecture

The changing layout also allowed the creation of a multi-façade building that provides shade, break-out spaces on the lower levels, and multiple terraces on the upper levels. High sun exposure facades have little or no fenestrations while other facades have curtain glazing. This creates an engaging play of light and shade, openness and privacy, exposure and respite, all across the building’s spaces.