Academic Work02 / 05

Highway Retreat

A pause beneath branching canopies.

Project brief

An EV charging stop, restaurant and small motel at Panihar, on the highway outside Gwalior.

Location: Panihar, Gwalior
Project: Academic project · 2023
Programme: EV charging · Restaurant · Motel

Highway Retreat: branching timber-coloured canopies above the EV charging bays, with a curved stair and roof terraces. — 01Charging bays · Canopy study

01 / Site & form

A roadside stop

Design notes

The proposal separates the charging canopy from the restaurant and motel. Subdividing the two masses opens gaps between them; curved roof edges then draw the parts together.

Original location drawing showing the site between the highway, railway line and reserve forest. — 02Panihar · Site location

Hand-drawn study of overlapping leaf-like canopies and branching columns. — 03Canopy · Hand study

Three original form studies showing the separated masses, subdivision into smaller blocks and curved roofs. — 04From two masses to a series of canopies

02 / Canopy study

Developing the roof

Design notes

The branching columns and roof surfaces were developed in Rhino and Grasshopper. The model studies trace the canopy geometry back to that definition.

Original Grasshopper definition above the branching column and canopy geometry studies. — 05Canopy and column development

03 / Plans & sections

Movement through the stop

Design notes

The plans separate vehicle movement from the restaurant and motel. The sections show how the canopy, terraces and occupied floors sit at different heights.

Highway Retreat ground floor plan with charging bays, vehicle access, restaurant and supporting spaces. — 06Ground floor

Highway Retreat first floor plan showing the motel rooms, circulation and roof terraces. — 07First floor

Two architectural sections through the canopies, charging bays, restaurant and motel. — 08Sections through the site

04 / The spaces

Inside and beneath the roof

Rendered view of the restaurant interior beneath the curved roof. — 09Restaurant interior

Night-time axonometric render showing the canopy series, charging bays, restaurant and motel. — 10The complete proposal

Selected drawings & views · Academic portfolio · 2024Back to top ↑