The document describes the Flame University campus, designed by Vastu Shilpa Consultants, highlighting its innovative architecture that promotes outdoor learning and social interaction. The campus features a library with a wedge-like profile, various educational spaces, and extensive recreational facilities, all set against the backdrop of the Western Ghats. With a focus on interdisciplinary education, the university aims to blend academic and community life, creating an environment conducive to holistic learning.

1. Project: Flame: Foundation for Liberal Arts and Management Education, Pune
Architects: Vastu Shilpa Consultants, Ahmedabad
Text: Sayantan Chakraborty
Demonstrating that the process of learning extends far beyond the classroom, the library of
University has been built closest to nature, on the slopes of the Western Ghats in the outskirts of
Pune. The design of the institutional campus can be called a "bazaar of education' of sorts, which
a rather unusual approach to a campus design. The library thrives on casual encounters with
and unknown faces, and with students from different disciplines mingling and sharing knowledge.
The classrooms, laboratories, faculty rooms, and performing arts, visual arts and recording studios
play a major role in these friendly encounters. They all merge at the university plaza, which is the
core space of the institution holding activities for the residents of the town and the academicians -
confluence of the university and the town. The plaza spreads out to the rooftops of the library,
dining hall, reception and administration, through grand stairs and a bridge. The library overlooks
the university plaza, with a cricket field to the south and the Western Ghats to the north. A center
for the exchange of learning and information, the library is accessible to both students as well as
academicians. The library has a wedge-like profile, with a sloping ramp that connects the plaza to
the cafe and the bookstore on one side, and a shaded area and water body on the other. Once
inside, one enters a lobby that is illuminated by the skylight. The spacious reading atrium is
illuminated by an

2. array of skylights. It can accommodate around 150 people and is naturally ventilated. The
profile of the building is built in such a way as to create a stack effect, which allows the
breeze from the south to get cooled by the water body, circulate through the entire space
and eventually rise and exhaust through force ventilation fans installed on the roof. The
atrium opens onto a reading lobby that overlooks a panoramic view of the cricket field and
the Sahayadri range beyond it. The lobby steps down into an open amphitheater that
connects to the greens. During working hours, the primary access to all the facilities within
the building is by means of a central staircase that is located adjacent to the reception area.
The
staircase is also a space for informal activity. The landing and steps are surrounded by
reading areas, benches and seats and create spaces that can be used for personal as well as
group studies. Users can access the internet center and discussion rooms after hours,
through the plaza stairs that naturally seem elevate the university plaza and create a new
environment of social interaction and access to different facilities at flexible times. The
reading lobby on the northern side can also be accessed from the amphitheater after
opening hours. Hence, the entire building can be thought of as three different buildings: the
central main library, the internet centre and the reading lobby. The building transforms from
one complex and intricate machine during the day three simplified units during the evening.
It is this flexible and multi-faceted character in the interi

3. mind while designing it, giving it a flexible identity that is integral to a campus
which is a perfect blend between a university and a community. Photo credit:
Rajeev Kathpalia, FLAME Foundation
Fact file
Client: FLAME Foundation
Design team: Rajeev Kathpalia (Principal Architect), Jose Benoy, BN Panchal,
Suketu Shah, Sagar Shah, Shailesh
Consultants: NK Shah (Structural Engineer). Sheth Techno Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
(MEP Services)
Built-up area: 2,100sq m
Year of completion: 2013

4.  Total site plan:

5. Geographical
view of the site

6.  Plan

7.  Plan showing plaza:

8.  Section through plaza:

10. Infrastructure
FLAME University Campus – There’s nothing like it
FLAME University is a fully residential campus that could qualify as one of the
best designed institutes worldwide. The campus is professionally equipped and
facilitates a great learning environment for students and faculty alike. The
juxtaposition of buildings amidst all the flora and fauna gives the campus a
unique personality like no other. Like the interdisciplinary education at FLAME,
the infrastructure is a combination of strikingly diverse designs coming
resulting into an outcome that’s beyond beautiful.

11. Accommodation Spaces
FLAME University has a strictly residential program. Along with students few faculty and staff
also stay on campus. To make their stay comfortable and make everyone feel at home, FLAME
provided various student, faculty and staff housing. There are guest houses available too for
parents and particpants of executive education and other management development
to use while they are visiting the FLAME campus.

12. Accommodation Spaces
Student Housing Faculty Housing Staff Housing
Guest Housing

13. Learning Spaces
One of the main focus of the education at FLAME University is learning for life.
enable this learning and impart knowledge, the campus has provided dedicated
and quiet spaces that encourage learning. These spaces have been made
specifically to create an environment conducive to grasping ideas and
Vivekananda Library
The focal point of the campus that houses thousands of books across disciplines
and consists of reading rooms, discussion rooms, reference rooms and
lab amongst others.
Chanakya Lecture Theatres
The Chanakya Lecture Theatre houses the largest lecture halls on campus. Used
mainly as a room for instructions, it is designed in a way where the rear seats are
higher than those in the front, allowing large group of students focus
their attention at a singular point.

14. Tagore, Ramanujan Lecture Theatres
The Tagore & Ramanujan Lecture Theatres are mirror images of
each other, the former opening to the west side of the campus
and the latter to the east. The lecture halls in each are smaller
the ones in the Chanakya Lecture Theatre. However, they all have
state of the art equipment with optimum acoustic properties
creating a better learning environment.
Aryabhatta Conference, Seminar and Classrooms
Aryabhatta has a variety of conference rooms, seminar rooms
traditional classrooms allowing greater versatility in its usage.
Group work with individual attention to students such that they
become active listeners and contributers in the class are the
hallmarks of the design elements.

15. Raman - Chemistry Lab
The physics, biology, chemistry and mathematics labs at
provide spaces for research and experiments. The spaces
include workbenches with counter tops along with lab
equipment and apparatus for conducting controlled
experiments.
Bhaskaracharya - Physics Lab
Bhaskaracharya Physics Lab as part of FLAME's
approach encourages students to dive into the world of
sciences. Conveniently located at the centre of the Academic
Spine, it forms a core part of the FLAME academic experience.

16. J.C. Bose - Biology Lab
The physics, biology, chemistry and mathematics labs at
FLAME provide spaces for research and experiments. The
spaces include workbenches with counter tops along with
lab equipment and apparatus for conducting controlled
experiment
Kalidas Centre for Performing Arts
It is a central hub for students learning theatre, music,
dance and film & television. Its open and flexible
architecture also allows an auditorium setting. It serves as a
venue for all major cultural activities and community
gatherings.

17. Raja Ravi Verma Centre Visual Arts Centre
It houses a painting, a design studio and a sculpture studio. Understanding the importance of both the left and right
students learn creative techniques and develop their understanding of the visual arts.
Amphitheaters
Multiple open air amphitheatres are used for performances, recreation gatherings and conducting classes. They are
graded for optimizing views and sights. Panel discussions and guest lectures are also conducted.
Editing Room
It houses a professional multi –camera set up along with centralized light and sound control console giving students a
life experience in refined editing.
Academic Spine
FLAME’s academic spine is the central north-south axis around which the entire campus is built. It houses and connects
entire academic infrastructure.
Sporting Spaces
At FLAME students are provided adequate and equal opportunity to blend sports and fitness
their personal growth and development. Sports is mandatory for all students. Competitive
are organized at inter-house and inter-institute level in as many as 14 disciplines covering indoor
as well as outdoor games.

18. Cricket
FLAME's international size cricket ground has a radius of 65 yards. Its lush green outfield surrounded
by hills provides a picturesque setting for any cricket enthusiast.
Football
FLAME's football ground is one of the most frequently used sporting facilities on campus. With
dimensions of 122 metres by 61 metres, its soft and green turf is unmatched in an education setting.
Swimming
FLAME's outdoor swimming pool is located next to the football ground. It serves as a recreational
space for the community and consists of 6-lanes and a cooling down area for swimmers.
Gymnasium
The gymnasium at FLAME consists of the latest equipment with a multi-gym set-up, cable crossover
machines, treadmills, indoor cycles, leg press machines, power tower dip stations, weights and
dumbbells, etc.
Golf
FLAME is one of the few campuses in India with access to a 18-hole golf course. Par 72, and covering
7020 yards, the course which is ad was designed by Pacific Course Design, Melbourne, Australia.
Tennis
FLAME has two tennis courts with a hard, concrete, all weather surface. The courts are flood lit for
students to play both singles or doubles.

19. Basketball
The outdoor, concrete, all weather surface basketball court at FLAME is one of the most frequently
sporting facilities on campus.
Volleyball
FLAME’s volleyball courts, adjacent to the basketball area completes the entire outdoor sports offerings
on campus. These courts are also flood lit.
Badminton
FLAME's indoor sporting facilities consists of billiards, badminton, table tennis and chess providing
multiple sporting opportunities to its community.
Billiards
FLAME's indoor sporting facilities consists of billiards, badminton, table tennis and chess providing
multiple sporting opportunities to its community.
Table Tennis
FLAME's indoor sporting facilities consists of billiards, badminton, table tennis and chess providing
multiple sporting opportunities to its community.
Chess
FLAME's indoor sporting facilities consists of billiards, badminton, table tennis and chess providing
multiple sporting opportunities to its community.

20. Recreation Spaces
FLAME University believes in play as much as work. Students need time and space to rejuvenate and relax
after a hard day’s work. Also, sometimes conversations with faculty in informal settings help in forming
bonds that promote friendship. To have this culture of openness of ideas and thoughts, FLAME University
provides recreation spaces.
The Plaza
It is a confluence of FLAME’s infrastructure. It’s where the academic and recreation spaces meet. It’s a great
place for the FLAME community to come together.
The Kund
Apart from serving as a reservoir, the Kund’s serenity adds to the beauty of the campus where students
congregate casually.

21. Amenities
Since the students, faculty, and staff spend a considerable and valuable time on
campus, FLAME University provides some amenities that might be necessary for
them. One can but some daily use items at the provision store, or withdraw
money at the ATM, do laundry at the Laundromat and get treated at the
for any medical assistance.
• Provision Store
• ATMs
• Laundromat
• Infirmary
Eateries
A sprawling dining hall serves students and staff with healthy vegetarian meals.
Besides the dining hall, there are several cafes on campus, providing several
eating options to the FLAME community.

22. Expansion of the Flame University
Near the Indian city Pune lies the campus of Flame University, a private institute of higher
learning with a strong focus on classical education. Its student numbers have risen greatly
since its founding in 2003, so that its expansion will be conducted by the planning office
blocher partners.
The master plan incorporates the character of the existing arrangement of buildings and
expands it to include the future faculties and additional functions. The architects will add
new buildings such as apartment buildings, auditorium and sport facility which are
distributed in an open layout on the site, taking environmental aspects into account. The
environmental design and orientation of the campus, conducted by the planning office,
have a lasting impact on the decision-makers of the future.