SAIL Centre: Designed for Introspection and Spirituality

A spiritual hub dedicated to inner growth and meditation, the SAIL Centre, designed by Studio Naqshbandi in collaboration with architect Mona Doctor-Pingel, stands out for its environmental mindfulness and integration with the natural landscape of Surat, in the state of Gujarat, India. The center was conceived to share the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Universal Mother, two pivotal figures in Indian philosophy. It forms a part of the broader educational framework of Auro University and is located within its Earthspace campus, which is dedicated to a holistic approach that brings together well-being and spirituality.

SAIL Centre: integrated sustainable design and natural elements

Auroville-based architect Mona Doctor-Pingel has been involved with the project since 2010, that is, when the studio received the commission. Construction began in 2019. The need to remain faithful to the original design concept, despite a decade of challenges and changes, placed significant demands on the project team. A major change involved transitioning from a semi-underground structure to one built entirely at grade, responding to both modifications in the client brief and local building regulations.

One of the first design decisions was to transform the site into a rainwater harvesting area by creating a 2950 m² natural bio-pond. Sustainability measures like this, combined with the use of native flora, have not only harmonized the project with the site’s topography, but have also created habitat that attracts a diverse array of bird and aquatic species.

SAIL Centre incorporates a range of natural elements, such as Zen gardens, sensory courtyards, and meditation spaces – including a dhyanshala meditation hall above the bio-pond. These spaces feature combinations of materials, including brick, concrete and glass, to encourage a deep connection with the environment and one’s inner world.

The project successfully balances the aesthetic sensibilities of Ahmedabad and Chandigarh with sustainable architecture, resulting in a valuable asset for future generations.

Visitors are greeted by a striking entrance bridge that beckons them to explore their inner world. Inside the center, four meditation rooms – each one inspired by one of The Mother’s four qualities of wisdom, harmony, strength, and perfection – reflect a deep spiritual ethos reminiscent of the Matrimandir in Auroville, one of the seminal structures for practitioners of Integral Yoga.

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