Mahatma Gandhi Hindi Antarrashtriya Vidyalaya, Wardha
Established by a parliamentary act in 1977 for the promotion and development of the Hindi language, this institution was planned with multiple centers in India and abroad with its main campus at Wardha, close to Sewagram where Mahtma Gandhi lived a part of his life. This design for the proposed main campus was worked along the required lines of simplicity and austerity, true to Gandhiji’s principles, while attempting to create the appropriate academic ambience suited to a seat of learning on entering the institute, one steps onto the court of arrival into which the various departments of the administrative zone open out. Here, the pensively poised statue of the Mahatma sits in the center facing the arrival with the sunrise forming a beautiful natural backdrop to it in the morning hours.
The layout of the hostels occupies a vast undulating stretch. Their sections at each level have been worked out for maximum climatic sustainability.
The layout of the residential zone too is so designed to bring about maximum visual connectivity and pedestrian access. Vehicular interference is minimal and restricted to the periphery.
Continuing with the scheme of connectivity, the front and rear entrances of the Vice Chancellor’s and deans’ residences are connected without disturbing the living areas. The roofline, again, reflects the rolling profile of the hilly site.
The hostel blocks have been developed in a ribbon formation around interconnected courtyards ensuring a total pedestrian link and absolute visual connectivity from end to end. The vehicular access is minimal and peripheral.
The transit students’ hostels have been planned in clusters opening out into interconnected courts, reminiscent of a rural setting. The courtyard, again, is an effective tool used to negotiate the slope of the site.
The guests’ suites are arranged in clusters around a courtyard. The suites have front door access to the main vehicular roads. The service roads serve the dining hall and kitchen from the rear.
The proportionate relationship of the Ground plus 1 storey structures to the scale the foliage around contributes towards maintaining climatic controls within the built form. The low rise structures contribute towards the semi-rural ambience.
The linearly clubbed residences of the junior faculty are punctuated by courtyards which can be overlooked from the higher level and accessed physically by houses on the lower level.