Intermodal Station at Tirupathi

Author: Shubhashri. J.P
Site Location: Panvel, Maharashtra
Institute: School of Architecture and Interior Design,
SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Advisor: Dr. K. Geetha

Description

The Intermodal Station at Tirupati is conceived as a contemporary mobility hub that integrates transportation, commerce, hospitality, and public life within a cohesive urban framework. Developed on a 13.27-acre site, the proposal responds to Tirupati’s significant and fluctuating passenger volumes by creating an efficient, legible, and future-ready transit environment.
The project establishes a vertically integrated transportation podium, accommodating bus operations across two levels with passenger amenities, waiting areas, retail, and food facilities. Above the transit podium, dormitories, commercial and entertainment functions, offices, and multiple hotel categories are organized as a layered mixed-use programme. Dedicated access and circulation systems distinguish the movement of different user groups, enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and spatial clarity.
The architectural identity is rooted in movement, connectivity, and biophilic integration. Long-span structural systems create expansive, column-light terminal spaces, while branching, tree-inspired columns translate structural efficiency into a distinctive architectural expression. Strategic slab openings, skylights, and atriums introduce daylight and facilitate natural ventilation, enhancing the quality of the internal public realm.
Green terraces, vertical landscapes, landscaped courts, shaded facades, and rooftop photovoltaic systems extend the “Transit Through Nature” philosophy throughout the development. These strategies contribute to thermal comfort, environmental performance, and a stronger connection between built and natural systems.
The proposal ultimately positions the intermodal station as more than a transportation facility—a civic gateway that integrates mobility, urban activity, and nature to support Tirupati’s evolving identity and future growth.