Ahmedabad University Centre / Stephane Paumier Architects

The brief for the Ahmedabad University Centre was created organically with the University Board as a hub for the in-between hours of formal teaching. The aim was to create a center that would become an incubator for academic life and a place for generating new ideas by creating interactive spaces besides formal educational functions. Being located at the vehicular entrance with underground parking, it also acts as a gateway between the city and the pedestrian university campus. The culture of street food is crucial to the fabric of Ahmedabad and student life, it was essential to design the food court as an extension of the street, leading to a food street at ground level. Inspired by the exciting bridge, Galata Koprusu, that links Galata to Eminonu in Istanbul and has a string of restaurants below and views on the Golden Horn, the three verandahs opening to the park can also be used for music performances while sitting under the trees.