Russi Modi Centre of Excellence | Jamshedpur

The Rusi Modi Centre of Excellence is an architectural testimonial to the creative genius of technocrats, who served at Tata Steel, one of India's most revered industrial establishments. An obvious response to such an architectural problem could have been the conventional statement of monumentality using usual architectural semantics demonstrating power -height, breadth and mass. However, the centre's architecture is a reinterpretation of monumentality. Its subtle architecture commands rather than demanding attention. The building is designed as a formal gate to the Jubilee Park, a treasured garden in Jamshedpur, adjacent to which is a large green zone. The concept started with the prime notion that no structure should jut out and be seen from the road, disturbing the natural beauty of the environs. According to the ensuing concept, the visitor is led through a series of courtyards that are partly set underground at varying levels, creating a foreground for the built form to emerge. The architecture's mass is hidden and can't be read in the usual manner- partial facades, entryways, colonnaded cloisters and extrusions from the ground demarcate its presence from the landscape. The main entrance, on the western end of a largely rectangular site, features an alluring triangular entryway that invites the visitor to explore what is hidden underneath.

Through the pyramidal entranceway, one descends into a walkway that leads to a lush green, circular paved courtyard with a central multi-layered mound. This sort of incorporation of the landscape with built environment creates a blurring interface between the landscape and structure. The architectural programme includes exhibition areas, auditoriums, archive spaces, library, cafeteria and the associated offices. Two water bodies are set across the side entrance along the south east corner of the complex. Two rows of 5 columns, 30 feet high, flank the path along these water bodies, adding to the ceremonial experience. These lead to a square shaped plaza that serves as a momentary pause before leading to the exhibition halls and offices on the left and the archives, auditorium and cafeteria on the right.The L-shaped block of low-rise structure housing the archives, cafeteria and the auditorium is positioned perpendicular to the exhibition halls and the offices. Each functional area, between 900 to 1,500 sq m, is arranged in clusters around a large central courtyard, with peripheral courtyards and gateways.