Sanjay Puri Designs a University That Becomes a Landscape

March 10, 2026

Sanjay Puri Designs a University That Becomes a Landscape

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In Indore, the new Prestige University designed by Sanjay Puri and his team at Sanjay Puri Architects challenges the typical image of an institutional building. Instead of an imposing academic block, the architecture unfolds as a cascading series of terraces, courts, and platforms that function as a shared landscape for students and faculty.

Set within a 32-acre campus, the building brings together administrative offices, an auditorium, seminar halls, a library, classrooms, and a cafeteria. But beyond its program, the project is conceived as a social stage for the university community.

A Stepped Campus Landmark

Rather than presenting a singular monumental façade, the building gradually rises from the approach, concealing its 28-metre height within a stepped form. The five-level structure ascends diagonally, allowing the terraces to become an extension of the campus landscape.

Every level is accessible, and the roof itself transforms into a vast open-air amphitheatre. Across 463 stepped platforms, the terraces form a rooftop garden of nearly 9,000 square metres, capable of hosting events with seating for up to 9,000 students.

Inspired by India’s Stepwells

The architectural language draws inspiration from India’s historic stepwells, structures that were once vital civic spaces where communities gathered around water.

At Prestige University, this principle is reinterpreted as a contemporary academic landscape. The stepped terraces create places to sit, study, perform, or simply gather, turning the building into an informal social infrastructure within the campus.

A Building Shaped by Climate

Indore’s climate, where temperatures remain between 30°C and 40°C for much of the year, strongly influenced the design approach, according to Sanjay Puri.

Landscaped courtyards and north-facing light bring indirect daylight deep into the interiors, while a continuous diagonal indoor street enhances airflow across the building. The east, west, and south façades are wrapped in ventilated GFRC screens that reduce heat gain while allowing ventilation.

Together, these strategies significantly reduce dependence on artificial lighting and air-conditioning.

Spaces for Learning and Gathering

The programme is carefully layered across the building, according to the architect.

Public functions such as the food court, auditorium, and administrative offices are located on the ground floor for easy access. The library occupies the first floor, connected by bridges that span the indoor street. Common classrooms fill the second floor, opening into courtyards that double as recreational spill-over spaces. The third-floor houses tiered classrooms, while the fourth floor contains faculty and administrative offices.

“Interior volumes with indirect sunlight, spaces opening into courtyards, suspended walkways, indoor streets, classrooms extending into gardens, naturally cool internal areas underneath exposed stepped roof, all of this makes the educational facility, an enticing space to explore and experience,” adds Puri.

A Landscape of Interaction

Completed in January 2026 for the Prestige Education Society, the G+4 building spans approximately 3,32,000 sq ft (30,843 sq m). It was constructed by BL Constructions with structural engineering by Pyramid Consultants and landscape design by Envision Landscape Consultants.

More than an academic facility, Prestige University operates as a layered public terrain. Through terraces, courtyards, and open platforms, the architecture encourages movement, interaction, and shared experience, making the building itself a vibrant extension of campus life.