CSA Partners Ltd. was approached by Patell Batliwala & Associates to provide their design expertise for an interior to a university auditorium in Hyderabad, India. The 1500 seat theater had to accommodate different types of events from Indian Classical dance to Western Classical Music.

CSA Partners could not make any modifications to the shell; given these conditions, we were of the firm belief that the volume needed substantial planar variation; both in section and in ceiling plan.
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Our two concepts fundamentally set up a geometric progression and an arithmetic progression. One works in a series of linear dropping planes the other in a system of convex panels that vary in size.

The driving force behind both is to expand the panel dimensions progressively as sound waves expand away from the stage. While both patterns look visually random to the lay person there is an underlying order for ease of construct-ability and efficacy of acoustics

Our material palette includes high density plaster of Paris, high density veneered MDF and perforated frames at the perimeter for air supply as well as diffusing sound where we could. The entire system of acoustic treatment has been designed to be penalized. The project is currently in detailed design by our local partners and under construction albeit in a simpler form.

Cyrus Subawalla – Principal Designer

Sangwan Seo-Associate Principal

BITS Pilani Auditorium

Building type: Cultural

Sustainability/LEED: N/A

Location: Hyderabad, India, Site Area: N/A

Project Area: Approx. 5,500 sm

Client: BITS Pilani

Completion Year: Substantial Completion 2015

Construction Cost: N/A

Recognition: CSA Partners Ltd. won the design portion of the competition, however was not successful on the fee negotiation portion.