studio saar wraps its 'third space' in a screen of water-jet cut white marble

to be sited in india’s state of rajasthan, studio saar proposes a learning and cultural center dubbed ‘third space: the haveli of curiosity.’ the project will be realized in the city of udaipur for dharohar, a non-profit organization which runs science related workshops, programs and projects in schools and public spaces. the team at studio saar aims for the space to introduce a home for learning and exploration for all ages. it will house leisure, cultural ,and educational programs and will provide world class facilities for formal and informal learning, socializing and performing arts in india.

aerial view of third space center in context
visualizations © hayes davidson | @hayesdavidson

celebrating the ancient technologies of rajasthan, studio saar reinterprets historical elements in a contemporary way, using modern methods of fabrication. meanwhile, the efficient use of local materials will reduce embodied carbon caused by transport. local white marble will be water-jet cut to create ‘jali’ ventilation screens and projecting wind catchers, creating an external aesthetic deeply rooted to its context, while an evaporative cooling tower will passively cool internal spaces. marble off-cuts will be used to create floor tiles and will also be used in the masonry wall on the ground floor while waste marble dust will be used to reduce cement and sand content in the concrete mix resulting in a whiter finish.

daytime view of ‘jali’ ventilation screens and projecting wind catchers

in the design of its third space center in rajasthan, studio saar draws inspiration from india’s traditional havelis, in which spaces are organized around a central courtyard. this courtyard will be surrounded by cloisters that will be kept cool through extensive use of thermal mass. internally, the positioning of trees will be reminiscent of the trees found in traditional urban indian contexts and will act as wayfinding for visitors. the formal arrangement of projecting gokhada on the building envelope will draw people to the building edge and provide small, playful cantilevered rooms for reading, meeting and relaxing.

nighttime view of ‘jali’ ventilation screens and projecting wind catchers

studio saar designs the third space center to support dharohar and the important non-profit work that it does. dharohar works with 30 to 40 schools each year, organizing programs that support students’ academic learning and provide extra-curricular enrichment. the project will become a crucial extension to its schools’ programs, help to nurture its employees and encourage its team to inspire visitors, while enabling it to increase the scale of its work to build multi-generational communities of learners. providing facilities that are not otherwise accessible to many local children, the center will offer a broad range of activities, workshops and laboratories, a theater for film screenings and lectures.

interior view within the baori