Located in Rajasthan, India, amidst the arid landscapes of the Nokha district, the Nokha Village Community Centre, designed by the renowned Sanjay Puri Architects, is a project that not only serves as a community hub for the 144 villages in the district but also as a loving memorial for Padmaramji Kularia, envisioned by his family.
Nokha Village Community Centre Technical Information
- Architects: Sanjay Puri Architects
- Location: Mulwas, Silwa, Nokha, Bikaner, 334803, Rajasthan, India
- Area: 13,000 ft2
- Project Year: 2022 – 2024
- Photographs: © Mr. Vinay Panjwani
The main spiral building of 9,000 sq. ft. becomes an inclined garden with two varying slopes, allowing it to be used for recreation and gatherings, and offering views of the surrounding desert landscape from the rooftop.
– Sanjay Puri Architects
Nokha Village Community Centre Photographs
Eco-Innovation Under the Sun
The Nokha Village Community Centre emerges from the desert environment with a striking presence. Its main architectural feature, a sweeping curvilinear volume, elegantly loops around the site, creating a dynamic interplay of space and form. This design choice is not merely aesthetic but functional, providing an open north-facing courtyard that serves as the community center’s heart.
Spanning a modest 9,000 square feet, the center innovatively maximizes its footprint by integrating a rooftop garden. This inclined garden, with two varying slopes, is more than a recreational space; it offers panoramic views of the encompassing desert, inviting the community to gather and engage with their natural surroundings. Below this verdant expanse lies a thoughtful composition of spaces designed to cater to different community needs—a museum dedicated to the local culture and a digital library for children, addressing the lack of educational facilities in the area.
The building’s southern facade is thoughtfully enveloped in a grass-covered earth berm, a strategic response to the challenging desert climate where temperatures soar between 35 to 40°C for most of the year. This, along with the natural sandstone screens that adorn the oval library, showcases a deep respect for traditional Rajasthani architecture while serving a practical purpose. The screens, sourced from the immediate area, anchor the building in its context and significantly reduce heat gain, creating mesmerizing shadow patterns that change throughout the day.
Central to the community center’s design is its commitment to sustainability. The rooftop gardens, stone screens, and strategic landscaping work in concert to mitigate heat gain, enhancing energy efficiency. Moreover, the project’s sustainability ethos extends beyond its design to its construction, emphasizing rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and the use of local materials and craftsmanship. This approach ensures that the building sits gently on its desert landscape and supports the local economy.
The Nokha Village Community Centre is a vibrant hub for all age groups, providing a space for music, talks, and social interaction. The project exemplifies how thoughtful architecture can create expansive community spaces without a large footprint, with a built-up area of 9,000 square feet generating four times more usable space, including a 27,000-square-foot open auditorium.
Nokha Village Community Centre Plans
Nokha Village Community Centre Image Gallery
About Sanjay Puri Architects
Sanjay Puri Architects’ work spans continents, with projects in Australia, Spain, Montenegro, UAE, Oman, and the USA. It is celebrated for its contextual and sustainable approach, which aims to redefine spatial perceptions through new design directions. Sanjay Puri’s contributions extend beyond design; as a jury member at several international architecture festivals and competitions, he influences the global architectural dialogue.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Client Name: Padam Interiors
Lead Architect: Mr. Sanjay Puri
Design Team: Omkar Rane, Madhavi Belsare , Arjun Gupta
Interior Design Consultant: Sanjay Puri Architects
Structure Consultant: Vijaytech Consultants Pvt. Ltd
Landscape Design: Sanjay Puri Architects
Main Contractor: Jagram Suthar
