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:
 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

PUBLIC SEMI PUBLIC PRIVATE

AUDITORIUM ADMINISTRATIVE CLASS ROOMS
RECEPTION OFFICE LABS
STAIRS RESEARCH CENTER
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 on-site
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:
 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:
 The site-excavated - two stories
of classrooms, studios and
offices that are raised above
this void.
 The inner, amorphous-shaped
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 non-uniform 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.