1. BRICK JAALI, WEST ELEVATION STAIRCASE
K A R N A L M E D I C A L C E N T R E
Karnal Medical Centre, a twenty-five bed hospital in Sector 7,
Karnal, Haryana, is a dedicated Paediatric and Ear-Nose-Throat
(ENT) centre with specialist facilities including an Operation
Theatre (OT) and Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
With development control norms that allow for mixed use, a three-
bedroom residential unit is also planned on the second floor of the
building for use by the Founding Doctors, a husband - wife team.
SCOPE OF WORK
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS & SITE SUPERVISION
PROJECT TYPE
INSTITUTIONAL
PROGRAMME
MEDICAL CENTRE: OPERATION THEATRE, NEO-NATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
(NICU), 5 PRIVATE ROOMS, GENERAL WARD, OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT
SITE AREA
367 SQ. YARD
ARCHITECT
HABITAT TECTONICS (HTAU)
CLIENT
KARNAL MEDICAL CENTRE
TOTAL BUILT UP AREA (MEDICAL FACILITY)
5,700 SQ. FT.
STATUS / DATE
COMPLETED / 08. 2013
BUILT UP AREA (RESIDENTIAL)
1,775 SQ. FT

2. A ‘CORNER PIECE’
The building is conceived as a cube set back on all sides to
reinforce its form; minimal in its architecture and material pallete.
It’s simple, square proportions in both plan and elevation help
define the corner of a cluster of institutional buildings overlooking
a public square.
The building has seperate public and private entrances.
View from the Public Square
ground floor plan
site plan
N

3. THE PUBLIC
The ‘Champa Forecourt’ welcomes visitors into the Medical Centre.
Large steel and glass doors mark the entrance, providing visual
permeability and ample light.
AND, THE PRIVATE
Steps rise up to an intimate entrance within an alcove that frames
the sky. A timber door opens to a staircase leading to the residence
on the second floor. Large bay windows and a brick jalli above the
entrance create further visual interest.
Looking up from the private entrance

4. TOP: Looking up at the brick jali from public entrance
BOTTOM: View looking down over public entrance
BUILDING ORGANISATION
Functional organisation within the building is based on the level
of public access required. The most public use - the Out Patient
Department (OPD) - is located in the lower ground floor and private
rooms on the raised ground floor. Speciality functions such as the
Operation Theatre and NICU are placed on the first floor.
A double height space along the front eastern elevation enclosed in
a brick jali, lends character to the public entrance area while leading
to a dedicated open flight of steps connecting the lower and raised
ground floors. A similar brick jali enclosing the main stairwell is
planned along the western elevation. Working in tandem, the two
jalis provide cross-ventillation to the builidng.

5. View from raised Ground Floor Lower Ground Floor

6. LEFT: Main stairwell to the west
RIGHT: Varied patterns in the stairwell created by the brick jali through the afternoon

7. MATERIAL PALLETE
HTAU believes in revealing materials in their natural state. A
minimal material pallette is used in the building. External walls are
made in exposed pressed brick with minor variations in the brick
course to create Jalis and openings. Lintel and cills are made in
red Agra stone.
In contrast, factory cut, high quality Kota stone is used throughout
the builidng and provides a uniform backdrop.
Stair balustrade, windows and entrance doors are fabricated in mild
steel.
BOTTOM: Western elevation (main stairwell)
TOP: Wall Openings

8. BOTTOM: Khurra (rain water spout) in red Agra stone
TOP RIGHT: Window handle in mild steel
TOP LEFT: Staircase balustrade in mild steel

9. PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
Each elevation of the building is unique by virtue of its
orientation. Brick jalis control solar access along the east
and west while providing cross ventilation in public areas.
Additionally, the front jali works as a solar chimney due to its
narrow and tall volume, extracting hot air from the top.
Set backs on all sides increase natural light in the lower floors,
while skylights enhance spaces in the residence.
Rat-trap (cavity) brick bond used as the walling system enhances
passive insulation. Additionally, it provides a verticality to the
building due to the ‘standing brick’.
The terrace flooring is done in reflective broken china mosaic
tiles over 50mm thick polystyrene board to control heat gain.
Solar geysers provide hot water throughout the builidng and
solar lighting is used for all external and 24-hour internal
lighting.
The building on an averages uses artificial lighting for
only 15% of the day light hours.