Project
Regional Science Centre at Bhuj
Category
Implemented Project of Public Building or Facility
About the project (provided by the applicant)
The design philosophy of the Regional Science Centre in Bhuj merges science, culture & social interaction. The circular forms symbolize living cells, celestial bodies & planetary craters, while also echoing the vernacular Bhunga houses of this desert region. Six elliptical exhibition galleries rise 6-8 meters, casting cooling shadows & allowing fluid transitions, with landscaped outdoor exhibits & step-down courtyards carved out of the intermittent spaces. Focused on Space, Nanotechnology, Energy & Marine Navigation, these galleries are arranged along an east-west axis, while administration, library & cultural elements align along a north-south axis. Technological aids like 5D theatre & interactive media enhance the experience. A dry-clad system with locally sourced stone reduces need for mechanical cooling. Minimal openings reduce direct sunlight & keep interiors cool. The Centre honours the heritage of Kutch, offering a culturally resonant space that makes science accessible to all.
Location
Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Project implementation year
2022
Project website
https://www.inidesignstudio.com/portfolio/regional-science-center-at-bhuj/
Extra visual materials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcRuvWRMyhk
https://shorturl.at/r2MHp
Applicant
Ar Saumil Mevada has over 16 years of experience on various master planning, urban design, building design, and landscape design projects across US, UAE & India. With a strong design focus & an attitude of inventive problem solving, Saumil strives to create & contribute towards developing design solutions that help build better communities. Saumil is sensitive towards the culture and context of a local region, and believes that design should reflect culture, time, and place.
Author of the project
Ar Saumil Mevada, INI Design Studio
Customer
Gujarat Council on Science and Technology
Other participants
Project Team — Jayesh Hariyani, Adi Mistry, Rakhi Rupani, Saumil Mevada, Bhargav A Bhavsar, Ani Agarkar, Parth Joshi
Interior Design & Landscape Design — INI Design Studio
Construction Company — Cube Construction Engineering Ltd.
Structural Consultant — DUCON Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
MEPF, HVAC, Lighting Design & AV/IT/Acoustic — INI Infrastructure & Engineering
Exhibit Design — Lemon Design
Photography Credits — Karan Gajjar / The Space Tracing Company
Status of the project
Implemented
