SKUAST Hostels

Located within the picturesque landscape of Srinagar, the International Student Hostel at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology responds to a site defined by dramatic contours and a road that divides the terrain into two distinct parts. Conceived as a connective architectural intervention, the project bridges the fragmented campus condition while establishing a dialogue with the existing hotel blocks situated across the road.

The architectural language draws inspiration from the region’s traditional Dhajji Dewari construction, a vernacular system known for its seismic resilience and climatic responsiveness. Exposed brick walls integrated with expressed cross bracing reinterpret this traditional tectonic vocabulary within a contemporary institutional setting, creating a structure rooted in local identity while addressing the seismic realities of the region.

Designed to follow the natural contours of the site, the hostel unfolds across multiple levels interconnected through a naturally lit central spine. Skylights and strategically designed corridors allow daylight to penetrate deep into the building throughout the year, particularly during the harsh winter months. The central circulation spaces double as passive heated social zones, encouraging interaction and community life when heavy snowfall restricts outdoor activity. Ground-level grocery stores activate the street edge, embedding the hostel within the everyday life of the campus and its surroundings.