Biswa Bangla Bishwavidyalaya

Biswa Bangla Biswavidyalaya (BBB), situated on the outskirts of Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India, is a liberal arts university. Shantiniketan was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as a utopian community that shaped the 20^th-century South-Asian art, literature, music, and architecture. Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore's artistic, literary, and educational vision flourished here.

Set alongside such an iconic institution, the design of the university takes inspiration from the principles of 'Gurukul', an ancient Indian system of learning, set amidst nature. The architectural narrative of the university is enriched by the region's cultural heritage which includes, terracotta 'Sholapith' craft, the Bengal School of Art, and the medieval architecture of West Bengal. Nature itself becomes an institution, being seamlessly integrated into the design.

The Masterplan reflects community-engagement and environmental-integration, inspired by local social systems. Upon arrival, a majestic gateway welcomes visitors into a tranquil learning area with a green buffer of fruit orchards and native plant species. The auditorium on the right symbolizes the conch shell, which is one of the most significant emblems of Bengal’s culture. Going beyond, one encounters an eco-lake, with Academic and Residential buildings lining its edges. At its heart, the Library, reminiscent of old town clock-towers of the region, serves as a beacon of knowledge.

Relying on vernacular wisdom, the use of local terracotta, bamboo and the very nature of construction to which locals are accustomed to, the campus aspires to be appropriate on all dimensions – a vernacular approach, contextually sensitive, climatologically responsive, functionally efficient and culturally specific.

Approach to social engagement and community empowerment

The project's design ethos firmly grounded itself in the cultural essence of its surroundings and aimed for an organic integration with the natural environment. Throughout the construction, the project actively involved the local community, nurturing their aspirations and providing them with opportunities for learning and up-skilling.

Architectural elements like the 'do-chala' roof and terracotta ‘jali’ were incorporated, showcasing local skills and offering employment to villagers. The campus was adorned with terracotta sculptures sourced from local talent, celebrating their art and culture. 

Waterbodies dotting the landscape of this delta-region inspired the eco-lake which forms the nucleus of the campus, fostering informal academic exchanges between students and faculty beyond classrooms. The lake collects water for drier months, helps in achieving net-zero water usage, and regulates the micro-climate.

Engagements with the community went beyond the physical design of the campus. The intention was to understand not only the community’s living patterns but also, their preferred medium of education, influence of an iconic institution such as Shantiniketan, and to provide students with opportunities to engage with the villagers.

Post-construction, the project extends its impact beyond its walls. The university has a unique distinction of opening its facilities including the sports facility, auditorium and orchards for the locals to use, allowing enhanced social engagement and participation of local community with the campus.

The campus physical environment encourages students to interact with the community, avenues are created for employment within the university, empowering locals through education in humanities, sciences, and various skills, while rural home stays provide visitors with immersive cultural experiences. 

The design attempted to embody the words of Rabindranath Tagore, - “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”

Approach to ecological responsiveness

The project’s approach to ecological responsiveness was rooted in a deep understanding of the natural environment and to harmonize with it rather than impose upon it. Passive design principles were prioritized to minimize energy consumption and enhance user comfort.

A compact campus coupled with strategic building orientations facilitated self-shading, narrow breezeways, and deep overhangs to manage solar heat-gain. Natural light and ventilation were achieved through single-loaded corridors and tactically placed openings, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling, lighting and ventilation, promoting energy efficiency.

The whole campus is set back from the main road by a green buffer of fruit orchard, shielding the campus from external noise, creating a tranquil academic environment. Solar panels proposed on the roofs along with green terracing reduce thermal gain and advances the project towards its net-zero ambitions.

The initial topographical survey revealed a depression in the middle of the site. The design preserves it and transforms it into an eco-lake to enhance the campus’ aesthetic quotient, regulate the micro-climate, and turn it into a ‘net-zero water’ campus.

The choice of materials like clay, which is abundant in the fertile delta-plains of Sundarbans, is utilized for walls, offering thermal insulation and reducing heat gain. Bamboo, another locally abundant resource, is incorporated into the architectural expression.

Emphasis has been given to water conservation techniques such as rain water harvesting, waterless urinals, dual flush toilets, low-flow shower heads. To minimize surface run-offs, grass pavers in parking have been used.

Energy conservation has been achieved through occupancy monitoring, motions sensors, recyclable furniture, double glazing, reflected paint and overall, providing a building envelope which controls heat gain.

The design imbibes ecological considerations to become an organic extension of the surrounding landscape as a model for sustainability, cultural continuity, and community engagement.

Approach to design aesthetics

The design studio adopted a multi-disciplinary approach, challenging the conventional practice of design being confined to silos. A unified design process where architects, engineers, artists, interior and landscape designers, all under one roof, worked together from inception to create an environmental-friendly design response. The attempt was to make spaces not just aesthetically alluring, but also functionally efficient. The user experience and creation of memorable built environment are always paramount.

Contextually responsive architecture: The team prioritized understanding the context of the project, including its cultural, historical, and environmental context. This was done so that the design harmonizes with the environment and contributes profoundly to the surrounding fabric.

Climatologically responsible architecture: Integration of climatic considerations into the design process to create buildings that respond effectively to local climate conditions. This included optimizing natural light and ventilation, utilizing passive strategies and selecting appropriate materials to enhance thermal comfort and energy efficiency.

Functionally efficient architecture: Analysis of functional and operational parameters of the project to create a design response that optimized usability, efficiency and livability.

Local Construction Practice and Least Cost of Maintenance: The team prioritized utilization of local materials and construction practices, not only to minimize costs associated with long-distance transportation but also to enhance employment opportunities for locals. Utilizing local materials and construction practise also ensures reduction in the maintenance and operations cost of the building since replacements are easier and construction is more in sync with the local area.

Culturally responsive architecture: The project draws inspiration from local culture, heritage, and craftsmanship. The team strived to create designs that resonate with the people who will inhabit them, celebrating the unique identity of the place.

Approach to the exemplary process

The multidisciplinary team operates under a unified design process, bringing together architects, engineers, artists, interior and landscape designers, all working collaboratively from inception to develop an environmentally-friendly design response. The approach encourages sustainability as an indispensable component of the design, promotes social inclusion, and embraces the timelessness of contextual architecture.

By preserving and celebrating the ethos of Shantiniketan in its design, Biswa Bangla Biswavidyalaya seamlessly integrates with its surrounding fabric. While it’s customary for architects in the region to adopt a stylistic approach to architectural design, the team opted for a contextually-suitable architecture that embraces Shantiniketan’s vernacular wisdom.

The project attained ecological harmony with passive design, self-shading, and strategic orientations. It integrates solar panels, green terracing, and an eco-lake. Local materials like clay and bamboo offered sustainability. Water conservation and energy-saving features ensured environmental compatibility, making it a model of sustainability and community engagement.

The project incorporates the art of Bengal, honouring local traditions, culture, and practices. It has taken this opportunity to engage with the local community, particularly the artists, and helped preserve the dying art of terracotta by providing them with work opportunities to be part of the project. In doing so, the university extends its impact beyond its physical boundaries.

CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence, an integral part of CP Kukreja Architects, work alongside to create nurturing grounds for architects, students, and enthusiasts to explore their creativity by organizing year-round initiatives that promote sustainability, inclusive environments and practices that benefit society.

The annual architectural competition, ‘CP Kukreja Design Trophy,’ in collaboration with the world’s largest architecture students’ body, NASA, encourages students to envision sustainable urban spaces. In its inaugural year, the competition attracted a record-breaking 800+ entries. The Foundation collaborates with rural communities, enhancing local crafts and advocating for design-related policies alongside governments and industry associations.

Approach to a diverse architectural practice

The team holds a strong belief that architecture is a multifaceted journey requiring collaboration across various fields, from architecture and engineering to sciences, geology, and landscape design. Embracing this belief, the design firm has structured itself as an all-inclusive multidisciplinary practice, which is one of the most unique in the country.

This inclusive approach breaks down barriers and addresses the inequalities that exist within the design profession. Guided by the founder's vision, the team believes in creating an environment where ‘art and architecture’, ‘built environment and nature’ are seen as intrinsically integrated.

The practice celebrates diversity by gathering individuals from diverse social, religious, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Women are equally represented in numbers and work profile. The firm, in a sense, is a 'melting pot', reflecting the rich diversity of India itself. This environment fosters diverse perspectives, contributing to the richness of the design.

A team of dedicated sustainable design experts ensure ecological excellence in every aspect of the design. By addressing social, ecological, and economic inequalities through inclusive design, the team strives to make a meaningful impact on the built environment and society.

In designing the university, inclusivity was a key consideration. The project has been designed to be accessible and functional for people of all abilities, addressing social inequalities. Locals engage with the project contributing towards community empowerment.

The project maximizes its impact by creating an environment that supports the local economy by employing local labour, and incorporating vernacular wisdom and local materials. The diverse architectural practice integrates various disciplines to create eco-friendly designs. The team prioritizes climatological factors for energy efficiency and minimizing costs with local materials, supporting the local economy. Pro-bono services are offered by the team to those with limited resources, ensuring accessibility to quality architectural solutions, fostering a more equitable built environment.

AT A GLANCE

Typology: Institutional

Name of project: Biswa Bangla Biswavidyalaya

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal

Site area: 18.5 acres

Built-up area: 66,000 sq m

Client: West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (WBIDCO)

Completion date: December 2022