▲ Aerial view of the venue
The Cafe Infinity Student Center, located within the ITS Dental School in Greater Noida, serves as a recreational and entertainment space for students, faculty, and visitors seeking medical treatment. The architects aimed to create a sustainable structure that challenges conventional architectural norms and pushes beyond traditional design boundaries. Central to this design is the use of recycled shipping containers, chosen for their modular nature and cost-effectiveness.
Significant effort was invested not only in the building’s exterior but also in redefining the rigid site layout. Inside, the design maintains a neutral aesthetic to harmonize with the surrounding industrial features without overwhelming them.
▲ Bird’s-eye landscape view
The architect incorporated two coffee kiosks at the front of the student center, along with two staircases that double as outdoor seating and access points to the rooftop terrace. Essential facilities, including restrooms, are housed within the central container. Additional spaces are equipped with seating areas for staff and visitors, all oriented toward the courtyard to maximize views and engagement with the interior space.
This central courtyard also serves as a flexible venue for various sports and recreational activities for the college community.
▲ Aerial view
▲ Front facade
▲ Stairs
▲ Exterior staircase
▲ Courtyard
The newly implemented organic landscape design softens the site’s rigid layout and the harsh lines of the containers, introducing dynamic flow throughout the student center. The expansive terrace staircase seamlessly connects the industrial container structure with the surrounding landscape.
The outdoor environment balances the strong industrial character of the container architecture while providing versatile spaces for various activities, breathing life and vitality into the site.
▲ Rear side of the building
The architect carefully treated the shipping containers to prevent rust and other industrial wear over time. Sustainability was a key focus throughout the project, influencing both service design and building performance.
For passive cooling and insulation, 50mm rock wool insulation combined with gypsum board was installed. Fiber cement boards were selected for the rooftop platform flooring, complemented by mechanical cooling systems and colored glass to adapt to the region’s extreme climate.
Additionally, a louver system was designed for the south-facing facade to reduce heat gain, enhance privacy, and preserve scenic views.
▲ Louvers
▲ Passive cooling technology
▲ Mechanical cooling technology
The name “Cafe Infinity” highlights the limitless potential of container construction, unrestricted by site constraints or building types. This flexible, modular, and sustainable method is emerging as a viable alternative to traditional reinforced concrete structures, offering significant reductions in carbon emissions and advancing economic and ecological sustainability.
The Origin of the “∞” Symbol
Interior Spaces
Project Drawings
▲ General layout plan
▲ Landscape plan
▲ First floor plan
▲ Second floor plan
▲ Roof plan
▲ Front and back elevation views
▲ Side elevation view
▲ Local section
▲ Shape generation
Project Information
Project Type: Coffee Shop
Architect: RJDL
Area: Approximately 267.5 square meters
Project Year: 2019
Photographer: Rahul Jain
Suppliers: Saint-Gobain, Asian Paints, Parryware
Lead Architect: Rahul Jain
Project Team: RJDL
Owner: ITS College, Greater Noida
Landscape Design: MAP Consultants
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