CEPT University and Saint-Gobain India Partner to Establish the Tech Commons Centre
The strategic partnership was formalized by Prof. Barjor Mehta, President, CEPT University, and Sreedhar N., CEO – India and APAC, Saint-Gobain India, in the presence of faculty, students, alumni, and guests at CEPT University.
The Tech Commons Centre (TCC) is envisioned as a 20,000 sq. ft. (approximately 1,900 sq. m.) facility that will serve as a university-wide hub for digital learning, research, and experimentation. The Centre will integrate emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, simulation, robotics, media production, and data-driven decision-making systems, enabling students, faculty, and researchers to explore new approaches to design, planning, technology, and the built environment.
Following a competitive design selection process, the Review Committee selected Brijesh Bhatha Architects as the project architect for the Tech Commons Centre. The firm will lead the design of the new facility, translating the shared vision of CEPT University and Saint-Gobain India into a sustainable, future-ready academic and research environment.
Building on CEPT University’s long-standing commitment to sustainability — from its Net Zero Energy Building to its studio-based pedagogy grounded in real projects and real-world challenges — the Tech Commons Centre will further strengthen the University’s leadership in sustainable design education and research. The Centre will bring together Saint-Gobain India’s expertise in light and sustainable construction with CEPT University’s strengths in education, research, and innovation.
The Centre will comprise four interdisciplinary hubs:
- Building Science and Climate Resilience
- Urban Intelligence and Digital Twins
- Computational Design and Visualisation
- Communications and Media
Together, these hubs will support collaborative research, digital experimentation, simulation, visualization, media production, and technology-driven design exploration. By providing access to advanced tools and interdisciplinary expertise, the Centre will enable students and researchers to develop innovative, climate-responsive solutions for the built environment.
The Tech Commons Centre is planned as a basement, ground floor, and three upper floors, and will be constructed on the open site behind CEPT University’s Net Zero Energy Building. Designed as a shared university-wide resource, the facility will support teaching, research, prototyping, and collaborative project development across disciplines.
Saint-Gobain India is providing complete grant support for the design and construction of the Tech Commons Centre. With an estimated project cost of ₹20 crore (inclusive of applicable taxes), the initiative represents the largest single Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) grant received by CEPT University for creating new academic infrastructure and the University’s first such infrastructure grant from a multinational organization.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Barjor Mehta, President, CEPT University, said:
“The built environment of tomorrow will be more urban, more complex, and more uncertain than anything we can fully imagine today. The Tech Commons Centre represents our commitment to preparing future professionals with the knowledge, technologies, and collaborative environment needed to address these emerging challenges. Together with Saint-Gobain India, we are creating a platform where sustainability, innovation, and interdisciplinary learning will shape the future of design and the built environment.”
The partnership reflects the shared vision of CEPT University and Saint-Gobain India to advance sustainable design, climate-responsive construction, and innovation through education, research, and industry collaboration. By combining academic excellence with technological expertise, the Tech Commons Centre will prepare future professionals to lead the transformation of the built environment in India and beyond.
About Saint-Gobain India
Saint-Gobain India is a leading manufacturer of light and sustainable construction materials and solutions. With approximately 82 manufacturing facilities across India and a major research centre in Chennai, the company develops integrated, performance-driven solutions that improve the sustainability of buildings throughout their lifecycle. Through its partnership with CEPT University, Saint-Gobain India aims to foster innovation in sustainable design, research, and education while contributing to the development of future-ready built environments.
