The Institute of Architecture and Planning is a new faculty on the existing campus of Bundelkhand University in Jhansi. Being the college for architectural studies the client brief requested an exemplary building which stand out within the campus. We thus tread the thin line by keeping it rooted to the site context and the existing architectural style on the campus line yet giving it a distinct character.

The institute is designed as a green building. The site was on a small hillock so instead of cutting it away we proposed the ground floor to be split on two levels following the lay of the land. The studios have been placed with openings on the longer sides. This decreases the dependence on artificial light and encourages cross ventilation.

Interaction with other students is a very important aspect in architectural studies. You learn as much outside the class as you do within. Providing wide corridors, intermediate terraces and lobbies on every floor encourages this. The ground floor has an O.A.T. in the central part following the natural slope of the ground. This acts like the pivotal point for the whole institute turning into impromptu gathering zone or performance area which can be viewed from all floors. The conference and open lobby on the ground floor double up as jury and exhibition areas as do the wide corridors on other floors. The staff is also equally distributed on all floors for efficient management. The library sits proud on the topmost floor with open views on all sides.