AVSLC Leisure Centre in Lonavla, India

August 01, 2010 Category: Cultural, Public Buildings

Designed by Sanjay Puri Architects, AVSLC Leisure Centre is located in Lonavla, India. The clients brief requested for a wide range of activities to be housed within a single ground floor shed type structure of 1500 sq.m. Since the location enjoyed beautiful landscaped surroundings on two adjacent sides it became imperative to capture the external views from the interior spaces. Rather than creating partitioned spaces the entire interior volume is delineated into several platforms of varying heights. Thus each activity including sports, cafeteria, library, office, lounge and Internet café are separated only by ground levels. The stepping of these activities at various levels allows the natural outdoor beauty to be visible from each part of the interior. Each level is bound by low wood partitions that move fluidly within the internal volume creating an abstract sculptural formation. Floating panels in the ceiling that are linear and trapezoidal in shape and suspended at varying levels enhances the meandering movement of the low wood partitions. The only side of the internal volume with a high blank wall is rendered sculptural by creating a layered effect with trapezoidal planes of varying heights and depths that are enhanced by reflective lighting. The irregular shaped linear platforms in white sandstone, with rising and falling wood partitions; linear trapezoidal floating ceiling panels and layered wall together create an abstract sculptural feel to the interior spaces. The layout with its abstraction allows uninterrupted views of the exterior landscape with gardens and hills. The interior thus capitalizes on the volume and the surroundings. The entire colour scheme internally is essentially in shades of white with the intention that the sculptural effect achieved by variation of planes in the horizontal and vertical planes is enhanced.

AVSLC Leisure Centre Design by Sanjay Puri Architects