The School of Planning and Architecture campus at Vijayawada was a two stage open competition held in 2011-2012.  The student housing was completed in June 2017 and the Institution building was inaugurated in August 2018.

The Building within its Context
The Building within its Context © Edmund Sumner/MO-OF

The intent was to create social spaces that are embedded within its cultural context along with an environmentally sensitive response to create a built environment which enables learning and living as a community. 

"The form evolves from the creation of a volumetric parasol, extrusion and thereby additions and subtractions based on programmatic requirements"
"The form evolves from the creation of a volumetric parasol, extrusion and thereby additions and subtractions based on programmatic requirements" © MO-OF/Mobile Offices
Diagram, North-South Section
Diagram, North-South Section: "The form of the building is a direct response to the hot and humid climate of Vijayawada, which enables shading and cross ventilation. North-light sections for studios along with insulation of the roof and landscaping create responsive configurations" © MO-OF/Mobile Offices
View of the administration area at the concourse level
View of the administration area at the concourse level: The middle section of the building is a ‘Stilted Platform’ that allows for student activity. This zone is a reminder of the traditional courtyard that anchors common public and community programs. This ‘Universal zone’ is occupied by faculty, students, administrators and visitors enabling non-programmed exchange. © MO-OF/Mobile Offices
Shadow Patterns
Shadow Patterns: "The massing of the building creates a shaded environment in and around the building throughout the day which is appropriate for a hot – humid climate" © MO-OF/Mobile Offices

The design focuses on the diversity of individuals and the vastness of a community and creates Interdependent programs that offer a multitude of interactive spaces that would be beneficial for a community experience. Our ideas stem from an interest in developing interrelationships in which students would participate in a non-hierarchical nature of the exchange.

"Organizational strategy for varied learning environments"
"Organizational strategy for varied learning environments" GROUND LEVEL: CENTRE AND PERIPHERY - effective for interactive learning;  CONCOURSE LEVEL: FIELD - informal for networked exchange;  TOP LEVEL: GRID - efficient for focussed learning © MO-OF/Mobile Offices
"Learning Corridor"
"Learning Corridor" The topmost section of the building houses the morning programs of the learning curriculum such as classrooms and studios. It also acts as a parasol roof for the lower floors creating a shaded environment below © MO-OF/Mobile Offices
Punctures in the Ceiling "cast varied shadows through the day"
Punctures in the Ceiling "cast varied shadows through the day" This zone also behaves as a concourse level to the entire building as it filters and mediates movement of people. The concourse is visually connected to the section above and below through the voids of the different levels. Programs such as the cafeteria and recreational areas are located at one end and the administrative block is at the other end. © Edmund Sumner/MO-OF
Model of the campus masterplan
Model of the campus masterplan The attempt is to create organisational variation, non-linearity, change & flexibility through the integration of program with non-programmatic spaces thereby integrating both the collective and the individual. The social and cultural lives of students have been captured and highlighted by sequencing common programs along movement trajectories. The common activities are placed adjacent to the circulation creating opportunities for interaction and thereby exchange between students. © MO-OF/Mobile Offices
Masterplan showing the Institute, Student housing and dining/Visiting faculty block
Masterplan showing the Institute, Student housing and dining/Visiting faculty block The Masterplan attempts to make the campus an institutional center in the city of Vijayawada. The institutional building is a platform for debate, exchange and dissemination. It also becomes a deep gateway and an interface to the entire campus. The notional Interface/ Gateway allows for mediating, filtering and channelizing people from public activity level to the semi-public programs. © MO-OF/Mobile Offices

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Poredi, Shantanu, and Manisha Agarwal. Diagram 1: Vertical and Horizontal Circulation In The School of Planning and Architecture campus at Vijayawada. MO-OF/Mobile Offices, 2018.
Poredi, Shantanu, and Manisha Agarwal. Diagram 2: Programme In The School of Planning and Architecture campus at Vijayawada. MO-OF/Mobile Offices, 2018.
Poredi, Shantanu, and Manisha Agarwal. Diagram 3: "Word Diagrammes" In The School of Planning and Architecture campus at Vijayawada. MO-OF/Mobile Offices, 2018.
Poredi, Shantanu, and Manisha Agarwal. Diagram 4: the "Double Helix" Staircase In The School of Planning and Architecture campus at Vijayawada. MO-OF/Mobile Offices, 2018.