B R I C K J A A L I , W E S T E L E V A T I O N S T A I R C A S E

K A R N A L M E D I C A L C E N T R EKarnal 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 TYPEINSTITUTIONAL

PROGRAMME MEDICAL CENTRE: OPERATION THEATRE, NEO-NATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU), 5 PRIVATE ROOMS, GENERAL WARD, OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT

SITE AREA367 SQ. YARD

ARCHITECTHABITAT TECTONICS (HTAU)

CLIENTKARNAL MEDICAL CENTRE

TOTAL BUILT UP AREA (MEDICAL FACILITY)5,700 SQ. FT.

STATUS / DATECOMPLETED / 08. 2013

BUILT UP AREA (RESIDENTIAL)1,775 SQ. FT

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

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

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.

View from raised Ground Floor Lower Ground Floor

LEFT: Main stairwell to the west

RIGHT: Varied patterns in the stairwell created by the brick jali through the afternoon

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

BOTTOM: Khurra (rain water spout) in red Agra stone

TOP RIGHT: Window handle in mild steel

TOP LEFT: Staircase balustrade in mild steel

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.