The Jetavan

Centre
Sameep Padora and Associates
CONTENTS

GENERAL
01
CONCEPT
02
FORM ANALYSIS
03
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
04
MATERIALS ANALYSIS
05
GENERAL

The Jetavan Centre, designed by Sameep Padora and Associates in rural Maharashtra, is built for
the spiritual & skill development of the local Buddhist community.

Location : Sakharwadi, Maharashtra

Typology : Spiritual Center

Completion Year : 2015

Plot Area : 1 acre

Built-up Area : 8,000 sq.ft

CLIMATE
Maharashtra has a typical monsoon climate, with hot, rainy,
and cold weather seasons. Tropical conditions prevail all over
the state. March, April, and May are the hottest months. During
April and May thunderstorms are common all over the state.
Temperature varies between 22°C-39°C during this season. A
cool dry spell, with clear skies gentle breeze, and pleasant
weather prevails from November to February. Temperature
varies between 12°C-34°C during this season.
CONCEPT
Inverting the roof profile with a centre valley in the
middle and rising edges, the interior spaces were
visually connected with the foliage outside. The
interior spaces hence are also a function of the
outside setting, with a lightness that belies the heavy
programs on site.
 FORM ANALYSIS

A strong modernist aesthetic in the rectilinear

forms of the concrete-looking rammed walls,
boasting massive concrete box gutters with an
impressive span. Much of the building’s
construction, relies on local artisan skills.

The flooring uses a local traditional technique of

compressed mud and cow dung, known for its cooling
and antiseptic properties. Local techniques were used
in the roof insulation system, a series of wooden
batons covered by jute cloth and dipped in wet clay.
 “Our approach to the Jetavan project looks to
extend the idea of the regional paradigm whilst
separating it from the pervasive ‘image’ of what
defines the local.”
SPATIAL
ANALYSIS
With the mandate of not harming a single tree on site
the sizable program was split up into 6 buildings each
situated in gaps between the heavy planting. Through
the design process two courtyards emerged as links
suturing these buildings into a common identity.

Further, by inverting the roof profile with a center

valley in the middle and rising edges, the interior
spaces were visually connected with the foliage
outside. The interior spaces hence are also a function
of the outside setting, with a lightness that belies the
heavy programs on site.
The separation of the roof from the walls, while
providing much needed cross ventilation, also scales
the building towards the courtyard.
MATERIAL ANALYSIS
Working closely with Hunnarshala, an institution looking to revive and resuscitate local building
traditions we collated a material palate that uses rammed loadbearing walls of basalt stone dust.
The stone dust, which is waste from a nearby quarry, is mixed with waste fly ash, a by-product from
the adjoining factory that in the past was paying people to cart the waste fly ash away. Repurposed
wood from old shipping vessels acts as roof structure, with the under structure made of mud rolls,
which are also great insulation. The roof itself is finished with clay roof tiles, remnants from older
demolished buildings.
The mandate of Jetavana is to provide a spiritual

anchor for their practice of Buddhist thought through

meditation and yoga while also imparting training and

skill development for members of the community.

Literature Study
SITE
SETBACK - 6m on all sides
OSR - 10% ( 2023 sqm for the given site )

ENTRY AND EXIT

The width of entry or exit gates shall be a minimum
of 3.0m

PA R K I N G
1 car space and 1 two wheeler space for every
20sq.m

D R I V E WAY
The driveway width shall be 3.0m for one-way
movement and 6.0m for two-way movement.