Surface Design Awards – Complete

• PUBLIC BUILDING - EXTERIOR
  Public Buildings used by the public for any purpose, such as assembly, education, entertainment, government, healthcare, transport or worship. This will also include civic centres, community centres, libraries, visitor centres, culture, health + wellbeing, faith, education, sports venues and stadia, transport, central + local government, entertainment and event venues.

The name "Tarang," derived from the Hindi word for waves
Presently the largest terracotta Brick tile arched vault structure in India one of its kind: without, reinforcement, beams & any shuttering system.
Cost: 1.5 crore / 180407 $ 122095 £
Completion: 2023
Tarang was conceptualized as a dynamic gallery space, interaction for art and culture, meticulously designed to adapt and evolve seamlessly. The inception of our project was fueled by boundless inspiration as our client entrusted us with the creative freedom to shape it without specific structural requirements or constraints. This liberty allowed our minds to flow freely, much like fluid waves of thought. In the absence of rigid guidelines, our conceptualization process was akin to a fluid dance, where ideas ebbed and flowed seamlessly. The name "Tarang," derived from the Hindi word for waves, perfectly encapsulates our design ethos – dynamic and ever-changing. This concept resonates throughout our creation, as the graceful undulations and interconnected elements mirror the natural rhythm of waves. The project embodies the convergence of creative expression and the client's open-mindedness, resulting in a design that beautifully captures the essence of fluidity and waves.
Tarang's design takes into account the specific context of the South West location and incorporates a remarkable construction technique. The design showcases an innovative and thoughtful approach to address the pressing challenge of sustainable construction, creating a built environment that is environmentally friendly, culturally rich, while reducing carbon footprints. By employing traditional construction techniques, Tarang celebrates the artistry of the workers. The intervention aims to create a versatile space that accommodates various activities, both within and around the building. Its purpose is to serve as an immersive exhibition platform where the interiors are transformed into canvases, showcasing the featured products. Its rising arched interiors are pleasantly intimate and familiar, thanks to its form rooted in a BIOPHILIC design approach.
Tarang's design concept emerged from the desire to create a structure distinct from the urban context, where box-like structures dominated the surroundings. The vision was to craft a cornerless edifice, harmonic waves that defied conventional architectural norms. Tarang aimed to break away from the monotony of its environment & stood as a symbol of architectural innovation. The designers' motivation for the project is aesthetic, ethical, and divine. They sought to create a structure that not only looks beautiful but also reflects their values and beliefs.
It addresses sustainability challenges, creating an environmentally friendly and culturally rich built environment. The undulating form engulfs the space, blurring boundaries between walls and enclosure. The edifice's essence lies in the voids and exposed bricks, evoking a sense of oneness. Drawing inspiration from nature's organic shapes, the space offers freedom and liberation. It merges us with nature as if the built form didn’t exist but was born from the core of the earth itself. Tarang's design offers several benefits that are both PEOPLE-CENTRIC and environmentally considerate. The building serves as a valuable asset to society, meeting the principles of inclusive design and promoting sustainability & FOSTERING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
The design process was driven by intuition & a deep desire to understand what the space & nature needed to truly elevate & dignify the structure. This is an ancestral construction technique used to support the ceiling above. This technique permits construction without beams, used to provisionally sustain the weight of an arch reducing construction time. Emphasizing local materials, artisans & labour strengthens the building's connection to the community, fostering ownership & pride to the city. The involvement of artisans ensures authentic and high-quality terracotta brick tiles, benefiting the local economy and cultural heritage. Skilled craftspeople with in-depth knowledge of traditional techniques bring expertise to the construction process, infusing the structure with artistry & local identity. "TARANG" fosters a timeless environment, promoting an ongoing conversation between generations. Its design evokes a sense of continuity & connection that transcends the present moment, encouraging dialogue that spans across time. Tarang's design showcases the beauty of Terracotta bricks and craftsmanship demonstrating a commitment to sustainable construction. Minimizing waste, reducing concrete use, and prioritizing local resources and labour, it serves as a model for environmentally conscious architecture that celebrates local culture & contributes to the community. Its innovative construction technique—a thin membrane vault of terracotta brick tiles without reinforcement—reflects the South West location. Tarang celebrates craftsmanship, relying on skill over digital tools.

The key here is the use of a single Sustainable material. Terracotta brick tiles locally made and constructed by local artisans in just 90 days. The structure relies on the strength & ingenuity of interlocking terracotta bricks and fast-setting mortar to create a robust sustainable arch system. The stability of the timbrel vault lies in the form and geometry of the curve, primarily acting in compression with smaller tensile and bending stresses. THE ARCHES IN COMPRESSION, a technique that involves spanning without steel and shuttering or ancillary structures that are typically used to bear the weight of an arch during the building process. Its innovative construction technique—a thin membrane vault of terracotta brick tiles without reinforcement—reflects the South West location. THE MATERIAL USED IS DEVELOPED AS AN INTEGRAL PART AND NOT JUST APPLIED. THE BRICKS USED IN CONSTRUCTION PRESERVE THEIR NATURAL TEXTURE AND COLOR, WITHOUT ANY COSMETIC OVERLAYS.
This approach aligns with circular economy principles maximizing re-use, recycling. Disassembling & repurposing the bricks at the end of building's lifecycle reduces environmental impact, this took care of reducing carbon footprints and empowering the artisans. Tarang celebrates craftsmanship, relying on skill over digital tools. Minimizing waste and prioritizing local resources and labour, it serves as a model for environmentally conscious architecture.
Conceptual sketches and design development had a purpose, keeping in mind the sun path, air and ventilation, trying to bring nature in. Tarang was conceptualized as an adaptive space for community gathering and encouraging interaction for art and culture.

Tarang's design highlights use of local terracotta bricks supporting local artisans & sustainable materials benefiting the local economy & cultural heritage. This reduces transportation emissions & preserves traditional craftsmanship. By employing traditional construction techniques, the design eliminates steel & conventional concrete. This minimizes the building's embodied carbon footprint & reliance on resource-intensive materials. This approach aligns with circular economy principles maximizing re-use, recycling. Disassembling & repurposing the bricks at the end of building's lifecycle reduces environmental impact.
The key here is the use of a single Sustainable material. Terracotta brick tiles locally made and constructed by local artisans in just 90 days. The structure relies on the strength & ingenuity of interlocking terracotta bricks and fast-setting mortar to create a robust sustainable arch system. The stability of the timbrel vault lies in the form and geometry of the curve, primarily acting in compression with smaller tensile and bending stresses. THE ARCHES IN COMPRESSION, a technique that involves spanning without steel and shuttering or ancillary structures that are typically used to bear the weight of an arch during the building process. Its innovative construction technique—a thin membrane vault of terracotta brick tiles without reinforcement—reflects the South West location. The material used is developed as an integral part and not just applied. The bricks used in construction preserve their natural texture and color, without any cosmetic overlays.
Skilled craftspeople with in-depth knowledge of traditional techniques bring expertise to the construction process, infusing the structure with artistry and local identity. Tarang's design offers several benefits that are both people-centric and environmentally considerate. The building serves as a valuable asset to society, meeting the principles of inclusive design and promoting sustainability, fostering community engagement and interaction for art and culture. Emphasizing local materials, artisans, and labour strengthens the building's connection to the community, fostering ownership and pride, it serves as a model for environmentally conscious Architecture.
Thank to
Designed: Architects
And support by the following
Technical Guidance and structural form finding by - “Sankalan.”
A Centre of Alternative Learning
Constructed by Artisans of - “So Hath-100 Hands” Foundation for Building Artisans, Bhuj, Gujarat.

The stability of the timbrel vault lies in the form and geometry of the curve, primarily acting in compression with smaller tensile and bending stresses. The arches in compression, a technique that involves spanning without steel and shuttering or ancillary structures that are typically used to bear the weight of an arch during the building process. Its innovative construction technique—a thin membrane vault of terracotta brick tiles without reinforcement and the absence of extra formwork and the thinness of the structure resulted in a reduced weight and lower structural demands compared to conventional masonry vaults
After closely monitoring the structure, given that it was our first endeavour of this magnitude using this methodology of construction, we noticed the emergence of cracks approximately two weeks post-completion, which were attributed to settling. We promptly identified and documented these cracks, subsequently convening a collective meeting with both the team and the structural engineer. Following deliberation, the team opted to reinforce the structure. As a result, we undertook excavation around the foundation and employed wooden piles for added support. Since implementing these measures, there have been no subsequent instances of crack formation demonstrating the effectiveness of our proactive approach in ensuring the structural integrity of the project. Our ongoing monitoring confirms the stability and resilience of the structure.

Tarang's design employs the innovative timbrel or Catalan vault technique. It involves layering thin terracotta brick tiles with fast-setting mortar, forming a strong, resilient curved vault. The curve primarily bears compression loads, minimizing tensile and bending stresses. Executed manually on-site, skilled workers interlocked the bricks using a noding technique at regular intervals, ensuring alignment and stability. Multiple layers of thin tiles enhanced structural integrity, creating a laminated shell comparable to reinforced concrete. The initial layer, made of lightweight porous bricks, served as formwork for subsequent layers, reducing weight and structural demands compared to conventional masonry vaults.