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- Project: Bandhan Residential School of Business, Kankalitala, India
- Architects: Abin Design Studio
- Area: 10000 m?
- Year of completion: 2023
- Photography: Niveditaa Gupta
The architectural brilliance conveyed through the educational structure of the Bandhan Residential School of Business is one to stand awed by.
Weaving sustainability, cultural sensibility, and community engagement, this structure portrays a connection between the site and the architect denoting ?material? as the Earth that stands between the sky and water.
Let?s look at how these masses and voids stand as a transformative power of architecture through its sustainable and innovative campus.
Modern campus designs for business schools in India
Business schools in India have undergone a significant transformation with a growing realisation of the importance of campus design on young minds. This shift has reflected upon the interior as well as exterior campus designs to accommodate a more stimulating, collaborative, innovative, and sustainable learning environment.
The Bandhan Residential School of Business stands as a fine example of modern Indian campus design and exemplifies architecture that integrates sustainability and the local community through impressive campus design.
As one of the top innovative campus designs in India, that seamlessly blends traditional and modern elements, its standout features lay in its commitment to sustainability. The campus also consists of an open-air amphitheatre, that has embedded grass and a stepped seating arrangement, to host social gatherings and events.
The interior spaces are designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and a sense of learning with its strategic use of natural light and ventilation that creates a comfortable environment. It has also intentionally created uniquely designed additional informal collaborative spaces through the structure to create a more vibrant and user-friendly campus.
Conceptual & Contextual
Abin Design Studio projects are renowned for their utilitarian artistic expression and have also gained national and international recognition through this philosophy of ?Search? within design. The 10000 m? modern campus was completed in 2025 and is purely motivated by Tagore?s Bishwa Bharati University. The innovative campus design takes the form of individual blocks instead of a continuous whole block-rigid structure.
Wrapped around existing trees with several organically formed courtyards, an unintentional walk to the forest is created which also ensures cross-ventilation. The entire campus is designed considering climate-responsive design strategies with its opaque southwest facades, shade by trees, and green roofs. These facades help reduce the overall heat gain, reducing dependence on mechanical air conditioning.
Taking sustainable educational architecture into consideration, the campus is built of locally sourced burnt brick and also pays homage to the iconic buildings of Kolkata through its traditional brick latticework. The entire campus design is a cohesive blend of traditional materiality and modern construction techniques.
The warm and earthy tones connect to the geographical and cultural context of the site and structure, blending in with the surroundings. Handmade finishes on the fa?ade, rustic artisanal textures, sleek lines, and more to the broader view of community-centric architecture, celebrating a unique identity.
Subtle hints from historic buildings with a modern twist were part of the design philosophy, and also to pay respect to the heritage, culture, and tradition of the physical and social local community and the craftsmanship in creating a versatile space.
Beyond the walls
Modern Indian architecture curates innovative, reliable structures by fusing creativity, practicality, and technology. These key elements are taken into consideration along with human needs to mould spaces around the occupants.
?Soul in the Shell? is the design philosophy that ADS skillfully manifests into their projects.
Abin Design Studio’s architectural approach in educational projects is mainly to create a cohesive built environment with spatial sensibilities that shape the space for learning and development. They prioritise design in a way for students to call the institution their ?second home? of its comfort, safety, security, and growth.
?We believe that architecture becomes meaningful when it expands its sphere of influence beyond its physical entity. It transforms not only the surroundings but also the lives of its users, becoming an emblem of generosity.?
Aiming at inclusivity and empowerment of the local community, they also aim to preserve the cultural identity of the space, by integrating local authorities to actively contribute in shaping the environment.
Streams of sustainability
Usually, business school architecture design accounts for aesthetically pleasing, functional environments that foster a sense of creativity, focus, and learning. Technological integration, collaboration, and interaction are the key features integrated within the cohesive learning environment, followed by sustainability, climate responsiveness, cultural, and local context integrated within the campus design.
Some of the sustainable features of Bandhan Residential School of Business that make its unique identity are:
- Staggered green roofs
- Thermal insulation
- Green courts
- Earth berm mound
- Use of Filler slabs
- Building orientation
- Use of local materials
- Opaque facades
The Bandhan Residential School of Business demonstrates a harmony of traditional modernism along with the transformative power of architecture, fostering a well-connected environment through its sustainable design, site context, architectural innovation, and community involvement.