INDIACCELERON: A Particle Accelerator Facility & Research center at Challakere, Karnataka | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

The designated site is situated in Khudapura village, where the state government intends to establish the first fully planned ‘Science City’ in the state. The intervention site, positioned at the center of the IISC campus, is rectangular in shape and spans an area of 250,000 square meters. It features a natural water body on its western side. The surrounding area has a lower density of built structures and more open spaces.

Design Process

Technology plays a crucial role in both the design process and the spatial experience of the facility. For the public sector, the particle accelerator served as the main inspiration, resulting in the creation of futuristic tunnels and innovation pods. In contrast, the science sector follows a more conventional layout, organized around the accelerator’s beamlines and control centers. Immersive holograms and real-time simulations enhance the spatial experience, allowing visitors to feel as if they are inside a working particle accelerator. Interactive displays and hands-on laboratories add further depth, blending advanced technology with architectural design to create a dynamic and educational environment.

This particle accelerator facility project centers around technological innovation, with the accelerator itself driving the design, construction, and experience of the space. Advanced tools such as accelerator simulations, hands-on labs, and holographic projections are integrated to enhance public education and scientific research, making complex concepts more accessible and encouraging a deeper understanding of the universe.

Final Outcome

The entire project is divided into two sectors and one central oasis, each detailed as follows:

Sector 1 (Museum of the universe): The museum’s design draws inspiration from the particle accelerator, creating an immersive experience that simulates a human particle accelerator. Visitors are made to feel like particles being accelerated, as they are transported through an innovative tunnel replicating the accelerator’s speed.

Utilizing holographic displays for collisions and state-of-the-art scientific installations, guests can engage in interactive experiments and simulations, exploring a futuristic world of scientific innovation.

Sector 2 (Experimentation zone): Sector-II serves as the R&D zone of the facility, where the particle accelerator’s starting point is located. This area is dedicated to scientists and physicists engaged in extensive experiments. It features elevated control rooms, injection areas, material testing zones, a LINAC, and a storage ring for storing and utilizing accelerated particles in research activities.

The Accelerator Oasis: Encircled by a vast circular structure is the actual particle accelerator, shielded by 2-foot-thick walls. The concept is to transform the space within this ring into a large arena for sci-fi installations and landscapes, accessible through a futuristic tunnel that preserves the integrity of the beamline. Visitors can explore the expansive space, experience state-of-the-art installations, and engage with interactive labs, blending science with innovation seamlessly.

Conclusion: This project establishes a cutting-edge particle accelerator facility that combines scientific research with public education. By integrating advanced technology with immersive exhibits, it explores the universe’s origins and the forces that shaped it. The facility invites visitors to engage with the mysteries of the cosmos and particle physics, bridging innovative research with a deeper understanding of humanity’s place in the universe.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]