Ashoka University is a leading private university with a focus on liberal arts. Located in Sonepat, Haryana, the idea of such a university was put forward by a group of entrepreneurs who wanted to create a forum to train individuals to think critically about issues from multiple perspectives, communicate effectively and become leaders with a commitment to public service. As a space for learning and imparting education, using stone in the architecture was an immediate choice, its timeless quality in the context of quick-fix design is hard to deny. Its tactility serves as a throwback to the skill and creativity of our craftsmen while serving as a reminder of natural materialism in an urban context that is increasingly removed from nature. As a material, stone embodies properties that resonated with the vision of Ashoka. All jaalis across the Ashoka University Campus, lining its grand public corridors are built in Gwalior Mint stone. This 24200 square feet delicate, yet strong installation is one of the most iconic features that looked to evoke the sentiments of an “ivy-league” institution. The design of the jaali is reflective of the fractal geometry that is embedded in Ashoka University's brand logo.
Economizing on the properties of stone to maximize its effectiveness in design was a prime criterion in our endeavors. The test of our creativity lay in translating the traditional idea of stonework as slow, laborious and ‘old world’ into its current avatar - one that is contemporary, dynamic and modular. The use of stone in a project driven by economy of cost and time was a
task in itself, and involved significant creative thinking from our end, over and above the physical design of the structure. The decision to use stone prevailed because of the idea that materials in a public building must be allowed to be experienced through all our senses - consumed through our eyes and felt through our fingertips.
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