undulating steps clad in red terracotta bricks outline architecture school's entrance in india

PURPLE INK STUDIO composes MSAP Architecture & Design School

The MSAP Architecture & Design School, designed by The Purple Ink Studio, spans 1,45,000 square feet and is situated on a contoured 3.9-acre site in Manipal, Karnataka. The campus is designed with terracotta and can accommodate 1200 students across the fields of Architecture, Design, and Fashion, seamlessly integrating with the vibrant academic atmosphere of Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

The design approach focuses on creating interwoven and fluid spaces, respecting the natural topography with a significant slope of 18 meters towards the southeast. The building layout follows a 10×10 meter grid, stepping down the contours to provide unobstructed valley views. The campus is organized into four distinct blocks centered around a central open space, which serves as an informal stepped forum for faculty-student interaction and provides a visual connection between all blocks.

The orientation of the blocks considers wind direction, enhancing natural ventilation. The central court features monochromatic granite flooring, derived from local stone, with patterns inspired by the shadows cast by the buildings. Meandering staircases connect terraces at various levels, offering panoramic views and fostering dynamic interactions.

MSAP Architecture & Design School by The Purple Ink Studio stands in Manipal | all images by Suryan // Dang

open terraces clad in terracotta offer expansive valley views

Design studios on the topmost level extend into an open-to-sky stepped court/terrace, creating interactive outdoor pockets. These terraces, clad in terracotta, serve as informal areas for contemplation and offer expansive valley views. The corridors are designed with exaggerated widths and punctured volumes to promote interaction at multiple levels and display student work, encouraging collaboration. An array of carefully placed apertures connects the interior with the outdoors encouraging interdisciplinary exchange.

The entrance to the campus is conceived as a fluidic form and spatial continuum, serving both as a characteristic gateway and a set of undulating steps leading to the auditorium and administrative spaces. Purple Ink Studio‘s design draws from the Udupi Shri Krishna Matha, reflecting local cultural and architectural elements. The complex structure combines RCC and ferrocement to achieve its twisted form, revealing entry points with flowing brick waves that define the campus’s identity.

The material palette prioritizes durability and maintenance, with exposed concrete ceilings speckled with colors derived from the regional cultural landscape. The design philosophy emphasizes discovery, experimentation, and the integration of built forms with nature, creating an environment that fosters innovation and dialogue.

the design focuses on creating interwoven, fluid spaces, respecting the site’s natural 18-meter slope

the fluidic entrance form shapes undulating steps leading to the auditorium and administrative spaces

the complex twisted structure reveals entry points with flowing brick waves

the terraces, clad in terracotta, serve as interactive pockets and offer expansive valley views

the central open space serves as an informal stepped forum, visually connecting all blocks

meandering staircases connect terraces at various levels, offering views and fostering dynamic interactions

carefully placed apertures connect the interior with the outdoors, encouraging interdisciplinary exchange

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light filters down to the lowest levels, highlighting the raw concrete backdrop

the studio opens up towards the court area, with saw-tooth windows framing valley views while reducing direct sunlight

classrooms with large overhangs offer uninterrupted valley views

the faculty spaces feature a warmer palette with wood and color highlights

project info:

name: MSAP Architecture & Design School

architect: The Purple Ink Studio | @the_purple_ink_studio

location: Manipal, Karnataka, India

photography: Suryan // Dang | @suryananddang

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom