Science Centre, Surat is a multi-facility complex in

Surat Surat (Gujarati Language, Gujarati: ) is a city in the western Indian States and territories of India, state of Gujarat. The word Surat directly translates to ''face'' in Urdu, Gujarati language, Gujarati and Hindi. Located on the banks of t ...

, Gujarat, India built by the Surat Municipal Corporation in 2009, the first of its type in western India. The complex houses a Science Centre, museum, an art gallery, an auditorium, an

Amphitheatre An amphitheatre (American English, U.S. English: amphitheater) is an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The term derives from the ancient Greek ('), from ('), meaning "on both sides" or "around" and ('), meani ...

and a planetarium. It has been designed by Ahmedabad-based architectural firm, HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt. Ltd.

The Complex

The complex covers a total area of 21,800 sq. m. and was built at the cost of 50.24 crores. It has underground parking facility for 112 four-wheelers and 210 two-wheelers. It has two 400 tonne vapor absorption chiller plants for air conditioning. The complex also houses a rooftop solar power plant which generates about 1.14 lakh KW of power. In addition, the complex also houses a restaurant. In its first three months of opening, the Science Centre had nearly 30,000 visitors.

Science Centre

The science centre forms the main part of the complex. It houses a Fun Science Gallery which shows science exhibits. Dedicated galleries for Space, Textile and Diamond are also proposed.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Museum

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Museum has about 8400 antiquities in wide categories of wood, porcelain, copper, bronze, textile, coins, paintings, miniature paintings, manuscripts, sculptures etc. The museum was developed to showcase the past of Surat. The museum also has a small auditorium to screen documentaries on the history of Surat. In 2009, designers S. Team Design Services received the IIIDMK Award (Western region) in the Public Spaces Category for the SVP Museum. They were commended for the National Award in the Institution Category.

Amphitheatre

The complex also houses an amphitheatre. It is circular shaped with stepped seating. The seating capacity of the theatre is 250. The theatre is used to organise cultural shows and small concerts.

Planetarium

Located on the first floor, the Planetarium is built in the shape of a sphere 16.30 metre in diameter. It has a seating capacity of 140. The digital theatre of the planetarium facilitates the observation of stars, moon, planets and other heavenly bodies which are displayed on the full dome. High resolution projectors which use Digistar 3 technology with digital audio system are used. The show is currently in three languages –

Hindi Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...

, Gujarati and English.

Art Gallery

Located opposite to Sardar

Vallabhbhai Patel Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (; ''Vallabhbhāī Jhāverbhāī Paṭel''; 31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), commonly known as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was an Indian independence activist and statesman who served as the first Deputy Prime ...

Museum, the art gallery is used for art exhibitions in the city.

Auditorium

The Auditorium is housed in the mezzanine level of the Complex at the southern end of the main building. It has a seating capacity of 260. The auditorium is used for seminars, lectures and meetings.

References

{{coord missing, Gujarat Museums established in 2009 2009 establishments in Gujarat Science museums in India Buildings and structures in Surat Science and technology in Gujarat Museums in Gujarat Tourist attractions in Surat