Atlas University, Mumbai

Design a Vertical University in an Urban Landscape that will inspire the current and future generation of students during their daily course of life on the campus. Architecture of the space should encourage constant collaboration and allow room for inclusive teaching and learning in every corner of the campus. All the spaces should be transparent, yet everyone on campus should feel safe and secure, at the same time comfortable for anyone to express. While the ways of teaching and learning are going through change, this university should be able to withstand the test of time and be able to easily adapt and accommodate.

There were three key challenges that had to be resolved and addressed carefully :

1. This University was to be designed in a business park in an Existing Commercial office building which was not designed to be a University building during its inception.

2. The University caters to various courses and every field of specialization has its unique requirement and yet the entire university has to have a cohesive environment.

3. Architecture of the building and its given facilities including the given poor quality of natural light had to be enhanced across the campus

Concept and Design Approach : Designing a vertical university requires careful consideration of various factors that can impact the overall functionality and success of the institution in inspiring the current and future generations. Hence, while conceptualizing the campus, following approaches have been considered :

1. Space Utilization : Vertical universities have limited space available, so it was important to maximize the use of every inch of available space. This was achieved through efficient space planning, flexible and transparent room configurations, and creating multi-use spaces.

2. Circulation: Efficient circulation is a key to a functional vertical university. Hence clear unobstructed pathways were laid out and planning was simplified for ease of understanding and smooth movement of people throughout the building.

3. Natural Light : This was a key factor in designing transparent classrooms that allowed penetration of natural light across the entire floor plate.

4. Innovative Learning Spaces : Based on the client brief and looking into the past, present and future of all campuses, it was evident that learning and teaching on a campus had no boundaries, and can never be confined within the 4 walls of a classroom. Hence, the entire university campus was given innovative learning spaces like amphitheater style seating along the corridor, ledges along the periphery of the building where the students and teacher could easily sit and discuss, loose furniture with connectivity to power points was carefully planned in niches or alcoves along the main spine of thee of the circulation space, and most of the furniture was kept loose and easily movable allowing a space to transform itself to accommodate all kinds of learning or fun events across the campus.

5. Safety and Security : With a large number of people using the facility, safety and security was a top priority. Apart from technology the overall transparent and see-through Architectural Design of the campus gives students a constant sense of a secured environment.

6. Flexible design: In any University campus a design that has adequate flexibility to transform its spaces makes it multi-functional and easily adaptable. This was the key consideration in designing classroom

7. Aesthetic appeal: A visually appealing vertical university always attracts more students and provides a positive learning environment. Incorporating design elements such as natural light, green spaces, graphics and art installations has created a visually stimulating and inspiring environment for learning.