Category 1.

Introduction

Art of Living Non-governmental organisation. Stress management. Service initiatives. Located near Udaipura village. Area: 800 acres

Matrimandir Non-religious organisation. Towards community peace. Rural development. Matrimandir Island is in the centre of Auroville, the city of dawn. Area: 2000 acres Auroville Main Road from East Coast Road. 15kms from Pondicherry. Space availability for parking 100 cars and 20 buses. Meditation Visitors gallery Teaching Accommodation for residents, guests and visitors Shopping Video telecasting

Isha Yoga Non-religious organisation. Inner transformation. Disciplined life human well-being. Located in the foothills of Velliangiri. 30kms from Coimbatore. Area: 25 acres Poondi Main Road. 40kms from Coimbatore airport. Space availability for parking 200 cars and 5 buses. Meditation Timely puja Teaching Satsang Accommodation for residents and guests Spa Pray Shopping Dhyana Linga complex Theerthakund Linga Bhairavi Temple Three meditation halls-Spanda Hall, Adhiyogi Hall and Kaivalliya kutir Two Sadhana halls School Accommodation Shops Spa Library Resource centre

2.Location

3.Accessibility NH-209. Kanakapura Road. 27kms from Bangalore 4.Parking 5.Activities Space availability for parking 400 cars and 25 buses. Meditation Stress-management Accommodation for residents and guests Teaching Shopping Medical treatments Satsang Spa Meditation halls-Vishalakshi Mantap and Sumeru Mantap Shops Clinic Conference hall Office Spa Amphitheatre Gurukul-vedic school Accommodation Garden Library

6.Spaces

Matrimandir Gardens Twelve Meditation halls Shops Gallery AV room Restaurant Accommodation Industries School Library Resource centre

7.Spatial Planning

Well-spaced out planning. Importance is given to nature which enhances the essence of the space. Immense day light is utilised. Artificial lighting is not used during the day time. Lot of openings and landscaping elements brings in fresh air creating a refreshing atmosphere. Geographical location is an additional merit for a pleasing climate. Air conditioning is not used in any part of the building. Brick and steel structures. Use of Plaster of Paris for detailing. Most of the spaces were painted in beige, off-white, yellow and white.

Divided into four zones such as Matrimandir, Industrial, School and Residential which are interlinked with landscaped areas. Matrimandir is an enclosed structure with a central light well which is well illuminated to light the whole space with the use of technology and a crystal ball. Air conditioning is used in Matrimandir and residential areas. All the other spaces are naturally ventilated.

Planned according to the accessibility of the people. Zoned as private and public spaces. Very few openings are given and the daylight obtained is also not well utilised. Most of the spaces are lit with artificial lighting. Geographical location is an additional merit for a pleasing climate. Air conditioning is not used in any part of the building.

8.Lighting

9.Ventilation

10.Materials 11.Colour Scheme

Concrete, steel, crystal, gold, glass, granite, marble, sandstone and brick. Various colours were used for the meditation halls with respect to the quality it represents. Inner chamber is detailed with white as a major colour. Importance of lighting in all the spaces. Mixed use of earthy materials and technology. Peaceful and calm atmosphere.

Brick, stone, mud mortar and granite. Iron is used for detailing. Earthy colours like shades of browns, tans, oranges, greys, whites, blues and some reds.

12.Inference

Well-planned with integration of landscape. Importance given to nature enhances the design. Provides a casual atmosphere.

Importance given to concentration is obtained by enclosed spaces. Use of artificial lighting during the day time is a draw back. Disciplined atmosphere.