J. Krishnamurti Study Centre, at Hyderabad, by Shirish Beri

The design of the J. Krishnamurthy Study Centre is a metaphorical expression in the architectural language of Krishnaji’s ideas about life, silence and the role of the study centre. It is a place for serious introspection, silence, with a good library resource centre, a.v. room, a translation facility, meeting / discussion space and liaison office.

Thus this study centre is located in the company of the best existing cluster of trees. The tall palm heralds the arrival, whereas the two thick, rotund tamarinds embellish the central courtyard and the courtyard outside the library and silent room.

The concentric form of the building is expressive of this ‘gathering’ the landscaped incomplete architectural walls (ruins) from which the building grows is expressive of the quality of exploration – of a search. These incomplete forms gradually culminating in the definitive articulate form of the silent room, is also symbolic of a “place of integrity deep honesty and awakening” rising from and “in the midst of confusion, conflict and destruction”

The half built forms are like’ moments frozen in time’

Thus the various spaces outside and inside this building encourage human interaction – spontaneous seating and meeting places. There is a quality of rootedness and centeredness to this building – a deep sense of belonging -when one enters inside.

As its walls and roofs made of natural materials blend into the soil and surroundings, the building acquires an humble attribute.

The varying widths of the passage, the changing quality of light in the passage as you gradually ascend to the silent room, creates “a feeling that you are going to something sacred and therefore you must take time to get to it.”

The silent room “with a skylight”, “radiates” from the top like a “central flame”

Various activities as mentioned above that are complimentary and supportive to the study centre are located on the periphery of the circular passage, culminating with the silent room at upper level and the library at the lower level.

Though the design is “something which is totally different” to “nudge our senses awake”, it does not alienate itself from the vernacular and the surrounding natural scene.

The building breathes freely because of its ‘holistic simplicity’ and ‘austerity’.

A few weeks after this design was submitted, the communication between the clients and the architect gradually stopped. We assumed that they had dropped this project all together or the design was too radical and complex for them to accept.

Drawings of J. Krishnamurti Study Centre

Fact file

1. Site Area – approx. 30 acres  

2. Study centre – approx. built up area – approx. 615 sqm.

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Rupali Gupte

Rupali Gupte is an architect and urbanist based in Mumbai, Professor at the School of Environment and Architecture (SEA) and a partner at BARDStudio. Her work often crosses disciplinary boundaries and takes different forms – writings, drawings, mixed-media works, story telling, teaching, curation, walks and spatial interventions.

Her works include extensive research on contemporary Indian urbanism with a focus on architecture and built environment; tactical practices; housing; and urban form. In 2013, she co-founded the School of Environment and Architecture (sea.edu.in). SEA is envisaged as an experimental academic space for research and education in architecture and urbanism. She has a wide range of publications, has delivered lectures and been on juries across the world. Her works in collaboration with her partner Prasad Shetty, have been shown in several exhibitions including the 56th Venice Biennale, X Sao Paolo Architecture Biennale, Seoul Biennale of Art and Architecture, at Manifesta 7 in Bolzano, at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona and at galleries such as Project 88, Devi Art Foundation and the Mumbai Art Room. She has recently curated an exhibition involving artists and architects titled ‘When is Space? Conversations in Contemporary Architecture’ at the Jawahar Kala Kendra.

Rupali Gupte