FACT FILE
Category
Architecture
Project Status
Built
Year Of Completion
2014
Lead Architect
Jwalant Mahadevwala
Location
Surat
Area (in sqft)
1,000sqft
Typology
Hospitality
Photography Credit
_
Crocodile Breeding Centre
FACT FILE
Category
Architecture
Project Status
Built
Year Of Completion
2014
Lead Architect
Jwalant Mahadevwala
Location
Surat
Area (in sqft)
1,000sqft
Typology
Hospitality
Photography Credit
_
Crocodile Breeding Centre
An architectural interplay between structure, environment, and the primal essence of its inhabitants.
The crocodile breeding centre was designed to support crocodiles in a controlled yet nature-inspired habitat, the enclosure seamlessly merges land, water, light, and shadow to create an experience that is both functional and evocative. At its heart lies a canopy of patterns – a perforated, triangulated roof over a non-linear plan. This allows for a free-flowing interaction between elements, while the roof’s circular perforations cast dynamic shadows reminiscent of crocodile skin patterns. This dappled effect mirrors the sensation of being under a dense tree canopy, crafting an environment that feels both protective and familiar to the creature within.
This structure brings in light as an organism rather than an element – making it a living, breathing participant in the design
Beyond the visual spectacle, the breeding centre is a deliberate orchestration of environmental responsiveness. The perforations in the roof are calibrated to provide optimal ventilation and shielding from direct sunlight, maintaining a comfortable microclimate for the crocodiles. The water and land at the base ensure the essential ecological balance for breeding. For us, the Crocodile Breeding Centre exemplifies architecture’s ability to translate function into feeling.
Image Index
Collaborators
Design Collaborator
_
PMC Consultant
_
Structural Consultant
_
MEP Consultant
_
Crocodile Breeding Centre
Awards
Publications
Crocodile Breeding Centre
An architectural interplay between structure, environment, and the primal essence of its inhabitants.
This structure brings in light as an organism rather than an element – making it a living, breathing participant in the design
The crocodile breeding centre was designed to support crocodiles in a controlled yet nature-inspired habitat, the enclosure seamlessly merges land, water, light, and shadow to create an experience that is both functional and evocative. At its heart lies a canopy of patterns – a perforated, triangulated roof over a non-linear plan. This allows for a free-flowing interaction between elements, while the roof’s circular perforations cast dynamic shadows reminiscent of crocodile skin patterns. This dappled effect mirrors the sensation of being under a dense tree canopy, crafting an environment that feels both protective and familiar to the creature within.
Beyond the visual spectacle, the breeding centre is a deliberate orchestration of environmental responsiveness. The perforations in the roof are calibrated to provide optimal ventilation and shielding from direct sunlight, maintaining a comfortable microclimate for the crocodiles. The water and land at the base ensure the essential ecological balance for breeding. For us, the Crocodile Breeding Centre exemplifies architecture’s ability to translate function into feeling.
Collaborators
Design Collaborator
_
PMC Consultant
_
Structural Consultant
_
MEP Consultant
_
An architectural interplay between structure, environment, and the primal essence of its inhabitants.
The crocodile breeding centre was designed to support crocodiles in a controlled yet nature-inspired habitat, the enclosure seamlessly merges land, water, light, and shadow to create an experience that is both functional and evocative. At its heart lies a canopy of patterns – a perforated, triangulated roof over a non-linear plan. This allows for a free-flowing interaction between elements, while the roof’s circular perforations cast dynamic shadows reminiscent of crocodile skin patterns. This dappled effect mirrors the sensation of being under a dense tree canopy, crafting an environment that feels both protective and familiar to the creature within.
This structure brings in light as an organism rather than an element – making it a living, breathing participant in the design
Beyond the visual spectacle, the breeding centre is a deliberate orchestration of environmental responsiveness. The perforations in the roof are calibrated to provide optimal ventilation and shielding from direct sunlight, maintaining a comfortable microclimate for the crocodiles. The water and land at the base ensure the essential ecological balance for breeding. For us, the Crocodile Breeding Centre exemplifies architecture’s ability to translate function into feeling.