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A top down view of the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus crossing, with palms and triangular lawns radiating from the centre

Abu Dhabi · 2023 to 2024 · 20,000 sqm

IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi

An Indian oasis in the heart of Abu Dhabi.

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A campus that carries India with it, and still belongs to the desert it stands in.

Three Indian landscapes gave the design its geometry. A fractal language of triangles and diamonds translated them to the adjacent Zayed University campus, and a planting gradient carries the visitor from Indian species to Arabian ones.

01 · Inspiration

From India, translated

Pick a reference, then translate it. Each Indian landscape is kept recognisable and rebuilt in the geometry of the campus.

New Delhi

In India

A ceremonial boulevard of lawns, water and trees that draws the eye along a single axis to one monument.

A shaded walkway built from repeating triangular bays, lined with palms, leading to the main entrance

Rajpath, rebuilt as a shaded spine of triangular bays that carries movement to the main entry.

02 · Climate

Shade is how the design translates

Solstice studies set how far shadows run across the site. Move through the day and the seasons.

10 m structure58.8 mWestEast

Shadows reach 77 m on a winter morning and almost vanish at a summer noon. The shade structures and planting are set against these shadow lengths from the solstice study.

03 · Planting

From the Indian garden to the desert edge

Lush Indian planting sits by the building. A shared zone blends both traditions. Arabian natives hold the periphery on minimal water.

Indian speciesArabian species

Planted from India

Indian species

Lush greenery, large canopies and natural shade. A central pathway leads to the entrance through shaded lawns and seating set under trees.

  • Lush exotic trees
  • Shaded lawns
  • Seating under trees
  • Central path to the entrance

Planting palette, six trees

  • Tamarindus indicaCrown 10 to 18 m
  • Azadirachta indicaCrown 7 to 15 m
  • Pongamia pinnataCrown 5 to 12 m
  • Millingtonia hortensisCrown 7 to 12 m
  • Phoenix dactyliferaCrown 3 to 6 m
  • Moringa oleiferaCrown 3 to 5 m
Zone 1 site plan, the Indian species triangle beside the campus entrance

04 · Design visuals

Seen from above, and from the path

05 · Built

Open since 2024

The shaded pergola walk over triangular two tone paving, with palms either side
Shaded pergola walk
Street edge planting of palms, shrubs and young trees beside a paved path and lamp post
Street edge planting
The sunken seating court with stepped benches and a single tree at its centre
Sunken seating court

Measured in the grid

20,000

sqm

One campus landscape.

From the arrival crossing to the xeriscape edge.

3

zones

One idea, three climates.

Indian, shared and Arabian planting in a single grid.

18

tree species

Chosen for memory and for shade.

Six per zone, from tamarind to frankincense.

2024

opened

Designed in 2023, open a year later.

Concept to build, delivered by one lead consultant.

Talk to us about your site
Client
ADEK
Location
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Role
Lead design consultant, Fluid Form Studio
Stage
Concept to build