The Indoor Sports Centre at Shiv Nadar University is conceived as a 10788 sqm dynamic shell that conceals an energetic, colour-saturated interior. The exterior reads as a calm, continuous canopy: a shallow, asymmetrical curve on slender steel columns that frames the entry & modulates scale across the campus. A lightweight glazed façade introduces transparency & daylight. Perforated screens & circular skylights punctuate the canopy to create a controlled play of light.
Design evolved by arranging program blocks—sports hall, gym, aquatic centre & support, extruding & rotating them into an interlocking mass. Subsequent carving & softening transformed these volumes into a fluid canopy with undulating edges, achieving column-free spans, articulated façades & layered public spaces.
Structurally, long-span steel engineering creates column-free volumes for an international-level multipurpose hall. Arterial services—ductwork, trusses & service cores—are deliberately exposed, reminiscent of the human nervous system. The main sports hall is a triple-height central arena with surrounding bleachers & mezzanine viewing, flanked by squash courts, gym, training spaces & a green terrace. Clear adjacencies & efficient circulation prioritize spectator experience & athlete movement.
Materiality is robust & tactile- painted trusses, insulated southern panels forming ventilated cavities, double-glazed units moderating solar gain with local stone & timber in public areas. The climatic strategy is integral—insulated panels on the south, stack ventilation through high vents, north-lighting to the arena & roof-mounted PVs. Durable finishes, articulated ceilings & vivid graphics create a youthful, energetic ambiance.
The canopy’s subtle breaks, careful modulation of transparency & expressive structural language reconcile the technical brief with an inviting public presence, resulting in a distinct building that knits into campus fabric while celebrating movement, performance & community.
