Hyderabad, India

In an effort to bring world-class higher education to India, Sylvan International Universities asked ASG to provide programming, master planning, and design services for an uninhabited 125-acre site just south of Hyderabad in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

The goal was to design a campus for 15,000 students to be trained in hotel management, engineering, computer science, and business administration. The program includes housing for 75 percent of students, residences for faculty members and staff, the library, dining halls, and outdoor fields for soccer and cricket.

From the beginning, the dramatic characteristics of the site presented challenges. In addition to the harsh climate, ASG town planners had to deal with a ridge of rock outcroppings dividing the buildable area, a volatile watershed prone to severe flooding, and draught.

In addition to devising strategies to accommodate these challenges, ASG incorporated ancient Indian principles of Vashtu, which is founded on the laws of nature's equilibrium. Among the considerations were the placement of buildings southward, higher than on the north, and site selections based on elements of the earth, fire, water, air, and space.

ASG's strategy included partnership with local architects and construction managers.

Completion: 2003
Size: 125 acres