Symbiosis Institute of Business Management

Architect : Rahul Kadri Nestled atop a rocky plateau in Lavale, a small village on the outskirts of Pune, the Symbiosis
International University campus creates an idyllic and vibrant learning environment. The campus,
Location : Pune home to 1000 students, houses educational and administration functions for four faculties –– the
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, the Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication,
Climate : Hot and Dry climate the Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management and the Symbiosis Institute of Photography –– in
Average annual temperature : 24.3 °C addition to an auditorium and convention center, a library, and housing, dining, and recreational
facilities for students and staff. Buildings and systems are designed to respond to local climate and
Average annual rainfall : 340 mm
ecology and integrate seamlessly with the landscape, fostering a harmonious relationship between
Accessibility : Lavale bus station – 5.7 km people and nature, while a hierarchical network of open spaces cultivates social interaction and
cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Departments : Symbiosis Institute of Business Management
Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication
Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management
Symbiosis Institute of Photography

Site Area – 7,24,500 m²

Total built-up area- 47,000 m²
Build / Unbuilt ratio : 1/5
SIBM Pune was established in 1978 by Dr. S B Mujumdar. Established under the patronage of S. B. Mujumdar, president and
founding director, the Symbiosis Society is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and the Bombay Public Trust, Act,
1950. The first institutions belonging to the Symbiosis Society were established in 1971 and were affiliated with the University of
Pune. Since mid 2014 Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman is the Director of SIBM Pune.

Students Discussion Room

Classroom space
Main entrance/Circulation space
Administers space
Computer lab
Accessories Repairing Space
Students Common Space
Site Planning/Zoning/Circulation Start of Construction- 09/2004,
The site’s uneven topography presented a significant initial design challenge; The execution was completed –06/2007
safe-for-construction land parcels (with a gradient under 1:5) lay disconnected Start of operation or occupancy- 2008
along the length of the curvilinear plateau. In response, a detailed slope analysis
was carried out and buildings were strategically placed to align with the land’s
natural contours to minimize cutting and filling, while basalt stone excavated
during the process was used to build retaining walls to stabilize the terraces.

Materials : Local materials are extensively used. The local

stone (onsite stone) has been used in the building foundations
as large amount of cutting and filling was carried out on site for
preparing building areas. Use of CSEB (compressed stabilized
earth blocks) for external walls has been consciously done.
These blocks were manufactured on-site where a block-making
machine was installed. The masons also worked as block-
makers and made an extra earning (economically sustainable
outlook)! The bricks were made with red clay + sand + grit +
local Murum from the site and these were stabilized with
cement and later sun-dried. This considerably helped reduce
the carbon footprint of the project.

Water and Energy :

Wastewater from all the services is collected and treated
through Reed Bed Treatment System (RBTS). The treated water
collected is used in irrigation of the landscape. The kitchen
runs on the biogas plant, which runs on the biodegradable
waste from the site thus reducing the heavy dependency on
LPG cylinders and thus effectively cutting down on fossil fuels.