Birla Planetarium interior planning and designing case study. User circulation plan, Natural lighting plan and other standard aspects mentioned in the presentation. Floor plans and hvac workings also included. Site located in Hyderabad.

1. BIRLA PLANETERIUM

2. The Birla Planetarium is a wing of the Science Centre. The planetarium was inaugurated by Mr. N.T. Rama Rao, on 8
September 1985. The planetarium is devoted to the promotions of education and research in all branches of astronomy,
astrophysics and space science.
The Birla Planetarium was India’s most modern planetarium and first of its kind in the country.
The planetarium has proved to be one of the busiest and the best attended in the world, having recorded fastest million visitors
for India.

3. Project Location: Near Birla Mandir,
Saifabad,
NAUBATH PAHAD
Hyderabad,
Telangana 500004
Client’s name: ADITYA BIRLA
Opening: 1983
End of work: 1985
Civil Engineer: Mr. P. A. Singaravelu
Structural Engineer: Panduranga Rao
PLANETARIUM
on elevated ground.
Steps
Landscaping
Landscaping
Steep slope
GP building

4. PLANETARIUM
WIND DIRECTIONS
During winters
During summers
CLIMATE OF HYDERABAD
Annual mean temp: 28°c
Summer : above 40°c
Monsoon: 815.5mm ann. Rainfall
Winter: 14°c to 28°c

5. 12m dome

6. Circulation

7. WARM LIGHT
DIFFUSED LIGHT
Natural Lighting

8. There was a cooling tower but
due to maintenance problems
they had to shift to artificial
cooling/ conditioning
» BIRLA PLANETARIUM SECTION
AREA STATEMENT
• Lobby 18sq.m
• Accounts office 18.5sq.m
• Library 32sq.m
• Electrical and mechanical shop 11sq.m
• Art and photo studio 21sq.m
• Administration 20sq.m
• Conference 30sq.m
• Director 15sq.m
• AHU – 2tons capacity
• 140 seating capacity
• RCC dome structure
• GOTO projector and
accessories.(Japan)
Other

9. ACOUSTICS:
Layers of perforated particle boards are used as acoustical
panels in the sky theatre. The top layer has large hole and the
second layer has smaller sized holes, these two layer are
backed with mineral wool.
The doors and other opening are sealed/ sound proof.
The flooring is covered with dark colour carpet for sound and
light absorption.
The lights used in the theatre are dim and minimal because
extra light may distract the viewers from the show and cause
eye irritations.
LIGHTING:
The main purpose for lights in the theatre:
1. For visitor entry and safety
2. Clear vision for walking paths
3. For controlling the projection system
4. For cleaning and maintenance
purposes
• The sky theatre is radial with a diameter of 20’ inner dome the outer dome is 24’ outer RRC
dome. The gap between the two domes is used for services like air condoning, lighting,
projectors, sound systems. The ac ducts from the indoor AHU units travel through the false
ceiling and through the cantilever reaches the sky theatre.
• A service gallery has been provided all around to fix other special effect projectors. Electrical
cables and ducts are concealed in it. A small platform runs at lintel level. All around the sky
theatre has dark colour carpet flooring to absorb sound.

10. THANK YOU !