Pearl Academy of Fashion / Morphogenesis
Introduction:
Architects: Morphogenesis
Location: Jaipur, India
Client: Pearl Academy of Fashion
HVAC: Design Centre
Project area: 11,745
sqm Project year:
2008
The architecture of the academy is a confluence of
modern adaptations of traditional Indo-Islamic
architectural elements and passive cooling strategies
prevalent in the hot-dry desert climate of Rajasthan
such as open courtyards, water body, a step-well or
baoli and jaalis.
Climate and Location:
The institute is located in a typical hot, dry, desert type climate
on the outskirts of Jaipur in the soulless Kukas industrial area,
about 20 kilometres from the famous walled city.
Address: SP-38A, RIICO Industrial Area, Delhi Road,
Kukas,
Jaipur-302028.
ARCHITECTS INTENT & RESTRAIN:
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The idea was to create a low-cost,
environmentally sensitive unique campus.
Architects were restrained to complete the building
budget to within a tight budget of about 29$ per
square foot inclusive of the building, landscape,
interiors, furniture etc.
This was done by eliminating HVAC & deploying such
as the use of local materials, techniques etc.
FORM:
ZONING
PUBLI
C AUDITORIU
M
RECEPTIO
N
PRIVAT
SEMI
E
PUBLIC
CLASS ROOMS
ADMINISTRATI
LABS
VE OFFICE
RESEARCH
STAIR
CENTER
S
LECTURE
HALLS
LIBRARY
PROXIMITY CHART
ADJACENT
IMMEDIATELY
ADJACENT FAR
COLUMN PLAN:
N
SECTION OF THE UNDERBELLY:
THE UNDERBELLY:
GROUND FLOOR PLAN:
N
PASSIVE COOLING CONTROL
METHODS:
Morphogenesis was able to develop two passive-cooling
control methods to keep the work spaces and courtyards
cool at 27 degrees Celsius even when it is 47 degrees
Celsius outside.
First, the entire building is elevated off the ground, sucking
air in around the edges of the building which is eventually
released up through the open-air courtyards.
A large stepped well in the centre of the building also plays
a role in lowering the temperature of the air as it enters
under the belly of the building.
Fed by recycled
water from the onsite sewage
treatment plant, the
well creates a cooler
microclimate
through evaporation.
JAALI:
The building is protected from
the environment by a double
skin which is derived from a
traditional building element
called the ‘Jaali’ which is
prevalent in Rajasthan
architecture.
The double skin acts as a
thermal buffer between the
building and the
surroundings.
The density of the perforated
outer skin has been derived
using computational shadow
analysis based on orientation
of the façades.
The outer skin sits 4
feet away from the
building and reduces the
direct heat gain through
fenestrations.
Drip channels running
along the inner face of
the Jaali allow for
passive downdraft
evaporative cooling,
thus reducing the
incident wind
temperature.
STEP WELLS:
• The scooped-out, shaded underbelly
forms a natural thermal sink by way of
a water body called a step well.
• This under belly which is thermally
banked on all sides serves as a large
student recreation and exhibition zone
and forms the anchor for the entire
project.
• During the night when the desert
temperature drops this floor slowly
dissipates the heat to the
surroundings keeping the area
thermally comfortable.
COURTYARD:
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The traditional courtyards take on
amorphous shapes within the
regulated form of the cloister-like
periphery.
This curvilinear geometry is
generated through a computerized
shadow analysis that tracks the
precise movement of the sun
through the day and across the
seasons.
Open courtyards allow
sufficient day lighting
inside studios and
classrooms.
The self-shading courts on
the internal areas help to
control the temperature of
internal spaces
INTERIOR DESIGN:
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The site-excavated - two
stories of classrooms,
studios and offices that are
raised above this void.
The inner, amorphousshaped courtyards provide
ample daylight to
classrooms and studio
space, reducing the need for
artificial light.
Open and glass-walled
walkways surround these
undulating blocks, which
define openings to the lower
level
The second storey projects
out above the first level and
both are clad in nonuniform panels attached to
a metal frame.
ROOFS:
Roof receives significant solar radiation and
plays an important role in heat gain/losses day
lighting and ventilation.
Hence the entire roof surface is covered with inverted
earthen pots. it is also an insulating cover of still air
over the roof.
MATERIALS:
The materials used for construction are a mix of
local stone, steel, glass, and concrete chosen
keeping in mind the climatic needs of the region
while retaining the progressive design intent.
INTERESTING FEATURES OF THE
BUILDING:
The Pearl Academy of Fashion, Jaipur by virtue of its
design is geared towards creating an environmentally
responsive passive habitat.
The institute creates interactive spaces for a highly
creative student body to work in multifunctional zones
which blend the indoors with the outdoors seamlessly.
The radical architecture of the institute emerges from a
fusion of the rich traditional building knowledge bank and
cutting edge contemporary architecture.
incorporating various passive climate control methods
becomes a necessity and also reduces the dependence on
mechanical environmental control measures
Energy efficiency is a prime concern and the institute is
100% self sufficient in terms of captive power and water
supply and promotes rain water harvesting and waste
water re-cycling through the use of a sewage treatment
plant.