Hoverspace

The expansion of a long-standing institutional building often calls for a delicate balance—respecting history while embracing growth. For a 50-year-old corporate office of an educational charity in Belagavi, this duality became the core design challenge. The existing structure, though simple in appearance, carried emotional value and had to continue operating without interruption during construction.

Situated on a major city road, forming a frontage to a century-old campus and aligning with the campus sports ground, the building faced three distinct contextual demands. It needed to assert a stronger presence within the cityscape, reinforce the identity of the historic campus, and respond sensitively to the open expanse of the playground.

A strategic design approach emerged: develop a structure that hovers above the old building; adhere to limitations such as setbacks, heritage greens, height restrictions of 15m, and the need for abundant daylight; and ensure the functioning interiors below remain untouched throughout the build.

The resulting intervention is a floating, L-shaped volume supported by eight cylindrical RCC columns placed strategically to avoid existing services. It forms a column-free workspace of about 1000 sq.m., bound by two full-height trusses. The vertical arm of the L anchors the circulation core and lobby to the ground, while the horizontal arm projects above the old building, establishing a powerful connection with the sports ground.

A continuous verandah wraps around this elevated form, inspired by the region’s colonial architectural language. Acting as a climatic and social buffer, it shades the interior from harsh sun and rain, while allowing outdoor breakout spaces. An expanded aluminum mesh screen with operable fins provides additional control over heat and glare, creating layers of filtered transparency through foliage, glazing, and truss frames.

The old building’s terrace is reimagined as an interstitial gathering space, accessed by both a glass elevator overlooking the sports field and a sculptural circular staircase linking the two structures. This transition visually and experientially celebrates the relationship between the new and the old.

In its clarity and restraint, the design amplifies the institution’s presence along the city artery, strengthens the heritage campus identity, and delivers a responsive, climate-conscious workplace—respecting memory while embracing the future.