A well-designed educational facility can truly enhance performance and make learning-teaching a more gratifying and rewarding experience. The Vidyalankar Campus is spread over a sprawling area of 11 acres at Wadala, at the heart of Mumbai city
The management wanted to erect a high performance building which exudes exuberance; thermally, visually and acoustically comfortable; energy, material and water efficient; safe and secure; easy to maintain and operate and which has a stimulating architecture. The resultant Avant-garde building which was commissioned to be designed by a globally reputed professional architectural firm offers students a vibrant setting for their studies and symbolizes the institute’s resolve to scale new heights continually. The internationally acclaimed DesignShare Honor Award for Architectural Excellence of an Educational Institute was conferred upon Vidyalankar Institute of Technology in 2007 for its unparalleled student-friendly infrastructure designed to facilitate a dynamic learning environment. It has ample and well-furnished space to accommodate administrative, academic, consultancy, projects, research and development and extra-curricular activities and is adaptable to changing needs.
ARCHITECTURE : THE WINNING PROJECT
EDUCATIONAL VILLAGE: VIDYALANKAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MUMBAI, INDIA.
JURORS COMMENT
WOW. Wild, crazy, funky. I like this project. Its a big feeling inside: lots of variety of space, color, light–very kinetic architecture. I am encouraged by the Educator narrative–there was good involvement in the design process that drew out the need for informal and collaborative space. – Jeff Lackney
Yes, WOW, indeed. An impressive educational narrative, providing a real feeling that the educator’s openness unleashed a boatload of ideas from the team of architects – a true fireworks display of creative thinking. Delightful interactions between educators and architects. –Beth Hebert
I like this project from an architectural standpoint. An interesting design response that took some very specific steps towards making it sustainable. – Tim Dufault
So thrilling to hear these educators’ openness to a “fresh approach” of incorporating clearly understood values. This kind of imagination is rare in educational circles. The courage and conviction in philosophical beliefs that makes this kind of building possible is palpable. – Beth Hebert
The planners and designers for this school have truly pulled off a dynamic learning environment, providing educators much to work with. I really appreciate the creativity in design that is coming out of new schools in Asia. Educators in these regions are looking to re-engineer the system and are allowing design of the learning environment to play a big role. There is a strong lesson in these schools about the ‘realm of possibilities’ in educational design. – Peter Brown
Feeling positive about the use of ‘alcove’ space, the very cost-effective nature of the overall project, and the focus on “progressive” education. Huge fan of how they pulled off the “Learning Street” — especially given the way the eye is allowed to wonder as it wanders. Particularly appreciate the ‘suspended ampitheatre’ that looks over the learning street. I deeply appreciate the way they allowed imagination, humor, and fun to remain front and center. – Christian Long
HONOR Award from DesignShare USA’07
Vidyalankar Institute of Technology is housed in two buildings.
| Block A-G | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Block | B Block | C Block | D Block | E Block | F Block | G Block | L Block |
| Reception | Examination Cell | Cafeteria | Office of In Charge, FE Engg | Office of HoD, INFT Engg | Office of HoD, ETRX Engg | Computer Centre | Gymkhana |
| Registrar’s Office | Office of HoD, BIOMED Engg | Guest House | Faculty Room, FE Engg | Faculty Room, INFT Engg | Faculty Room, ETRX Engg | Reading Hall | FE Laboratories |
| Bursar’s Office | Faculty Room, BIOMED Engg | Common Rooms | Lecture Halls | Lecture Halls | Office of CAO | Library Apple Lab | INFT Laboratories |
| Office of Principal,VIT | Mini Theatre | Café Lounge | Seminar Hall | Amphitheatre VPrint | Lecture Halls | ETRX Laboratories | |
| Board Room | Lecture Halls | Student Activity Centre | Souvenir / Book Shop | Tutorial Rooms | |||
| Conference Room | Laboratories, BIOMED Engg |
| Block M | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 | Level 7 |
| Engg Workshop | Entrance Lobby | Office of HoD, CMPN Engg | Seminar Hall | Office of HoD, EXTC Engg | Lecture Halls | Office of HoD | Chairperson Office |
| Auditorium | Seminar Hall | Faculty Room, CMPN Engg | Lecture Halls | Faculty Room, EXTC Engg | Seminar Hall | MMS Faculty Room | Director Office |
| Placement Office | Lecture Halls | Computer Laboratories | Lecture Halls EXTC Laboratories | MMS HR Office Facility Manager Office | Board Room | ||
| Alumini Office | Exhibition Area | Meeting Room | |||||
| Meeting Lounge |
In order to create pleasant and comfortable academic experience, all classrooms, offices and most of the laboratories are made air conditioned. Buildings have ample open spaces and recreational zones to make every corner very cheerful, lively and stimulating.