Jai Pannu

AR2046

The objective was to establish a specialized sports academy within the Gujarat Technological University campus, dedicated to training Olympic combat sports such as Boxing, Wrestling, Karate, and Taekwondo, within a 3000 sq. m site. The facility seamlessly integrates contemporary training facilities, adaptable multipurpose zones, and a cafeteria, strategically organised to maximize performance, enhance training efficiency, and foster athlete well-being. By harnessing the properties of steel, large-span training spaces required for these sports are achieved through the implementation of trusses. The facade is unified into a singular truss, eliminating individual components at the facade level. Columns and bracings form triangles that are visible on the facade, promoting a sense of strength and stability. Internal trusses spanning 20m give a column-free space and maintain design continuity with the facade truss, fostering a unified aesthetic. Horizontal bands of I-section beams continue across the facade, augmenting the perception of horizontality. This effect is accentuated by balanced cantilevers extending up to 20m beyond the building’s core. The 20m cantilever serves as an inviting feature at the entrance, while the 10m cantilever provides shade to the swimming pool area, affording an unobstructed view of the building’s rear. I-sections are also utilised for columns and beams to maximise shadow effects caused by flanges at the facade level. Seamless connections are ensured through welded steel joineries. Emphasizing lightweight construction, extensive glazing on the facade promotes transparency. The building is balanced into two parts by a central core that links various spaces and accommodates vertical circulation, restrooms, and changing rooms. The building's architectural and functional design principles are driven by the core tenets of balance, horizontality, stability, and agility, indispensable for success in Olympic combat sports.