schmidt hammer lassen architects wins Mixed-use Project in Central Oslo
The Jockey Club Innovation Tower Hong Kong
Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland
Messner Mountain museum corones, Italy
Crescent by the Lake, Oragadam, Chennai
Sky-Park Apartments Lucknow
The Extempore, South Bank London
Sports in the Sky Towers Singapore
A Workplace to Enjoy
Sachdeva Farmhouse- The Spectacular Design
Amanora Gateway Towers- A Grandeur Indulgence
First-of-its-kind Pre-Engineered Residential Tower
Revitalization of Le Corbusier’s Legacy Sanskar Kendra, Ahmedabad
The Falling Lotus Blossoms EON IT Park
David Hockney Building, Bradford College, Bradford
Bond Bryan's design of the David Hockney Building responded to the client's call for a landmark building that would encourage and support innovative forms of teaching and learning. To deliver this and to provide long-term flexibility, a series of dynamic interlocking open floor plates were crafted within a simple exposed concrete frame. The result is a multi-level open plan collaborative heart-space for student-centred learning, with specialist cellular teaching zones at the perimeter. The building was officially opened in September 2014 and has since been a great success with students and staff alike.
| At a Glance | |
| Project: | David Hockney Building |
| Location: | Bradford, England |
| Architects: | Bond Bryan Architects |
| Contractor: | BAM Construction |
| Construction Value: | £36 million |
| Completion Date: | September 2014 |
| Gross Internal Floor Area: | 24,000 square metres |
| BREEAM Sustainability Rating: | Very Good |
At 24,000 square metres and a construction value of £36 million, the project is outstanding value for money. This economy has been achieved via use of a simple geometry, use of repeating structural elements and a deep floor plan; roof lights and floor voids then provide natural light and ventilation at the centre of the building. Externally the building is clad in locally sourced robust natural sandstone. Neither quality nor vision was diluted due to a strong team approach; the project was actually enhanced by a collaborative approach to Value Engineering review, a process conducted with the support of the main contractor, BAM Construction.
Bond Bryan Architects designed this new campus to suit 21st Century teaching methods, where the emphasis is no longer on a teacher-led 'chalk and talk' model, but rather on a learner-driven, project-based approach. This iconic building, named after famous Bradford College alumnus and internationally acclaimed artist, David Hockney has transformed the learner experience using new styles of learning, which embrace cutting edge technologies. Moreover, being designed with plenty of natural light provided both by the central atrium and the many external windows, this six-storey eco-friendly campus gives a light and airy feel.
Located at the heart of the city, the project was designed with a pioneering digital approach using a three-dimensional virtual model created with GRAPHISOFT ARCHICAD, which together with the engineers' design information were then combined into a single model using Autodesk Navisworks. This is an early and highly successful exemplar of the combination of information from different software platforms. Bond Bryan resolved interoperability issues by working closely with the software vendors and main contractor, BAM Construct UK Ltd and as a result was commended under the title of "heroes of interoperability" in the building SMART 2014 global awards (SME category). GRAPHISOFT has since made the David Hockney project their "signature building" for the global release of ARCHICAD 19.
Apart from this, the stunning architecture has been shortlisted for a number of prestigious construction awards. Most recently Matt Hutton, Associate Director, Bond Bryan who is responsible for the design and delivery of the David Hockney Building, picked up the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Award in the education category. Besides, the campus has been nominated for the category Best BIM Project - Bradford College and Beyond: Open BIM R&D in the BIM4SME Awards, run in conjunction with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It has also been shortlisted for the Concrete Society Awards 2015 and announced as a finalists for the Construction News Awards 2015 in the 'BIM Initiative of the Year' category.
District Headquarters of South Goa Collectorate
Vision
District Headquarters of South Goa Collectorate is a building that 'belongs', to the region and to the site being rooted in the regional & cultural milieu. The building is climatically responsive and environmentally sensitive. 'Timelessness' is a universal quality in architecture and this project exemplifies this infitude.Located majestically along the NH-17, the architectural spatial experience of this building innovates, explores & experiments with the use of magnificent arches and majestic dome as elements of form, representative of awe & grandeur that this seat of power needs to portray. Weaving in modern technology, it is a paperless set up with computer networking at every desk.
"A state-of-the-art Collectorate, rooted in its past, standing in the present and futuristic in its planning is what we produced," says Ar. Rajiv Khanna.
| Fact File: | |
| Project: | District Headquarters of South Goa Collectorate |
| Location: | Margao, Goa |
| Architect: | Studio KIA, Gurgaon |
| Site Area: | 30,375 sqm. ( 7.5 acres) |
| Built Up Area: | Over 4 lac sq. ft. |
| Project Status: | Completed Feb 2013 |
| Client: | Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (GSIDC) |
| Design Team: | Rajiv Khanna, Sabeena Khanna & Umang Garg |
| Text: | Ar. Himani Ahuja |
The vision was to create a one-of- its- kind model in the country which each state would want to emulate. The design brief highlighted on developing a system of paper less work in a typical government office and has an I.T enabled building with a computer at every desk. It was conceptualized to complement and enhance the working spirit of every Indian government official.
Planning Key Areas
The plan for District Headquarters has been carved from the architect's inception of intelligent planning, efficient zoning and sustainable building strategies. The Collectorate building has a built up area of nearly 4,00,000 sq.ft across 6 floors. It houses various departments and facilities for public convenience.The incorporation of deep corridors and open windows all around was done to make the public spaces conducive to the local humid & wet climate, thereby adding a realm of relief and a unique dialogue between open and built. The façade creates an impression crowned with a central dome. The imposing dome, the extravagant porches, grand steps and coloured vertical glazing accentuates the stature and grandeur of the built form. The colored glazing which is contemporary in design yet vernacular in appeal is an emulation of the stained glass windows which are integral to Goa.
Design Strategies & Design Details
Form follows Function is an old paradigm and in this building form and function co-exist. The planning function desired the segregation of public movement and staff circulation at the horizontal plane yet has vertical connectivity which has been beautifully achieved by creating internal and external corridors for independent, designated circulation yet essaying the Iconic identity of the building.A serious emphasis has been made to reinterpret Goa's vernacular architectural language by overlaying it with Portuguese Urbanism. The built form has been developed keeping into account the active and passive design strategies. Aligned on the true north-south axis, the access points into the building have been sited on the four cardinal points composing themselves through the grand porches.
The four corners, like the four 'stambhas' or the cosmic columns are the vertical circulation cores of the building, depicting the bond between earth and the heaven. The north end of the site has a large Parade ground for formal government functions.
The stately dome or the 'chhatra' is the embodiment of kingship and is symbolic of a blessing. It is the most important area of the building and in this case it encases the V.I.P. lobby which opens onto a grand porch terrace having the flag hoist.
All apertures in the façade are highlighted with white frames against the deep yellow façade conjuring the old perspective of Portuguese architecture. The building looks breathtakingly beautiful in the evening when the façade is lit up. The extents of the site with extensive landscape complete the overall design. The landscaped courtyards serve as the breathing zones which infuse fresh life into the building. The elevation braces the structure & defines each element in detail. It is designed to unambiguously communicate efficiency, control & manifest cultural ethics.
"The building stands testimony to the administrative function, providing a whole new dimension to it."
District Headquarters building is a climatically suited building with deep overhangs & corridors with central landscaped courtyards for air circulation & spaces emphasizing on cross ventilation. Energy efficient lighting has been adhered to as well with large openings for natural light.
The building is not only climatically suited but is also functionally disabled friendly where all the accesses are defined and easily accessible. Public convenience has been one of the prominent features of the project. Provision of tactile on the floor (blind paths), handicapped-user-friendly restrooms, ramps with handrails have been incorporated in the structure. Public dealing counters for active interaction and facilities such as Citizens Facilitation Centre and Senior Citizens room have also been weaved in the exemplary design of the structure.
| Scope of work/Products | Company name |
| Audio Visual and IP Telephony : | M/s. Siemens Enterprises Communication Pvt. Ltd. |
| Woodwork : | M/s. Concept Creator |
| Modular furniture : | 3M/s. Durian Industries Ltd. |
| Decorative glazing : | M/s. R. S. Lawande |
| Landscaping : | M/s. Vrindavan Agricultural Services |
| Elevators : | M/s. Thyssenkrupp Elevator (I) Pvt. Ltd. |
| Light fixtures & Switchgear : | Crompton greaves & Schneider |
| AC equipment : | Blue star |
| False ceiling tiles : | Saint Gobain |
Structure & Materials
RCC frame structure with brick infill walls in the superstructure is supplemented with local Laterite stone in the sub soil structure and boundary wall.Plastered finish in the typical Goan colors & character along with the traditional cast iron railings, Mangalore tile roofing and stained glass glazing completes the Portuguese character.
Easy to maintain stone & tile floorings indoors, non skid floorings in weather-exposed areas and marble flooring in VIP areas have been used. Grass pavers in parking / landscaped areas and concrete road owing to heavy rains in the region have been laid.
Sliding UPVC windows, best suited for the humid and windy climate, have been used so that no open, hinged shutter can hurt anyone in this public building. Tremendous emphasis has been laid on making the building as people friendly and safe as possible.
Material consumption
21,000 cu.m. of concrete, 3000 tons of steel and 2,50,000 bags of cement was consumed during the construction of this building. 3,00,000 liters of water storage is provided as well.A majestic building showcasing various strands of Goan-portuguese architecture amalgamates with the character of its vicinity and yet stands out because of its futuristic offerings. The District Headquarters building defines Goa's architecture creating a statement of belonging.
An iconic structure has risen for Goa which provides a whole new identity to the place and has established itself as a place of pride!
Bharat Diamond Bourse, Mumbai
| Location: | Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai |
| Type: | Institutional |
| Scope: | Architecture + Master Planning |
The project needed to be revamped considering the revised utility requirements, which involved detailed site analysis of the existing structure and studying the previous drawings. As it was not possible to make major structural changes, it was decided to adopt less radical approaches based on transforming existing components and working within the parameters of conventional yet modern methods of transforming the buildings. The concept was to project a modern structure breaking the monotony of the façade and lightening the building both in physical weight as well as in visual presence. The highlighting feature of the otherwise flat institutional structure is the thick blue band on the exterior ACP façade. Keeping in mind that the workers require as much maximum light as possible while sorting or cutting diamonds, the buildings' design includes wide windows. The total window area is 300,000 sq ft with special non-reflective glass windows.
Spread over 20 acres, the Bharat Diamond Bourse consists of a total of 8 towers, each scaling 9 storey tall. The total constructed area is 2,000,000 sqft, with an addition of 1,000,000 sqft basement area with a car park for roughly 1800 cars. While the existing towers were handled individually and also as a master layout, each component in the towers was studied in detail before applying any proposed changes. The existing towers had lots of offsets in the façade in terms of cut outs at various levels as per the old scheme. Major structural works were required to fill these gaps and make the elevation simple. The new tower was also designed on the same lines but simpler in form.
Bharat Diamond Bourse is home to about 2,500 small and large diamond traders in addition to the custom house, banks and other service providers who cater to the gems and jewelry trade. BDB handles over 60% of diamond exports from India, with an inflow of approximately 20,000 – 30,000 people daily. Traffic movement of the entire complex was designed accounting for a daily traffic of 50,000 individuals and considering the existing entry exists in the basements, security issues, class and variety of people entering and exiting the complex at venous hours.
"There were many limitations and parameters amidst a brief that was not always final, but I think we did a great job," says ARK. Work finally finished in 2011, and today Bharat Diamond Bourse is resplendent for its clear glass façade.
96 Iconic Tower, Colombo
| Project at a Glance | |
| Type: | Mixed Use |
| Height: | 342 meters |
| Location: | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Scope: | Architecture + Interiors + Master Planning |
Designed by ARK, 96 Iconic Tower is an engineering marvel, dedicated to the Sri Lankan Victory in the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
Located at Colombo, the building facade is designed with a ball balanced between four bats to commemorate the achievements of the Sri Lankan cricketers with signature residential along with Indoor Cricket Facility, Hall of Fame, Museum, observatory and Specialty Revolving Restaurant. The mixed-use project is an amalgamation of residential units with retail outlets and public space.
The project will be constructed in a joint venture between Wills Realtors (Private) Limited and the Shreepati's Edifice (Private) Limited, and is slated to be completed by 2019.
Structural Design
As the name suggests, the tower is 96 storeyed, with varied spaces such as the Basement Level--a covered parking lot which houses the lift lobby for commercial floors, theatre and the restaurant. The Lower Ground Level is also a covered parking lot with a vehicular drop off point on the South side of the tower, and the ticket counter for the 360° Observatory (Level 92) and Sri Lankan Cricket Legends Museum (Level 93).Retail outlets spread over an area of 4483 sq. m on the Ground Level, along with an entrance lobby on the East side for the restaurant, theatre, and escalators going down to the 360° Observatory Ticket Counter. On the North side of the plot, a ramp and a stairway lead to a 4.5m level that acts as a separate entry for the residents. The lobby consists of 4 elevators for the residents and 2 elevators for domestic help, leading to the residential lobby (Level 6). A 10m wide vehicular ramp leads the residents to the parking levels (Level 6 to Level 12).
Level 1 to Level 3 consists of retail outlets that spread over an area of 3783 sq. m. 6 elevators cater to the retail and theatre levels. 18 escalators provide smooth circulation in the retail area. Level 3 hosts the 360° Observatory exit.
A 6 screen multiplex with a seating capacity of 1420 people is spread across Level 4. Separate elevators are provided for the night show exit. Level 5 is allocated commercial spaces for office use with four offices of 770 sq. m each. Level 6 is a covered parking for the residents with vehicular drop off point and the residential lobby. The level hosts 9 elevators for residents and their guests, and 3 elevators in the service core for domestic helpers.
Residents parking is located between Level 7 to Level 12. Level 13, 20, 35, 50, 65, 78, 91 are designed as service floor with meter rooms, break-pressure tanks, and pumps. The entertainment deck with an up-to-date library, indoor games, swimming pool, business center, jogging track, toddler's area, and outdoor play area, are situated on Level 14. Level 15 to Level 49 host 8 residential apartments per floor of either 3 BHK or 4 BHK. Level 51 to Level 64 host 8 residential apartments per floor of 4BHK.
The entertainment deck with lounge and coffee shop, gymnasium, spa, out-doors yoga and a sky deck is situated on Level 66. Level 67 to Level 90 host 4 residential penthouse apartments of 4 BHK. The 360° Observatory, open to non-residents, is located on Level 92. Level 93 hosts the Sri Lankan Cricket Legends Museum. Level 94 and Level 95 hosts, a revolving restaurant offering a panoramic view of the city of Colombo. An Indoor Cricket Training Academy is located on Level 96.
Despite the various uses and users stacked vertically, each has been provided individual and independent functioning. Designated parking areas, different access elevators and lobbies, and independent services ensure minimal overall between the different users. The 96 Iconic Tower has a total of 34 elevators, including two double-decker elevators for the observatory. The elevator speeds vary from 4m/s to 8 m/s.
Green Elements
The architectural firm ARK believes that the infrastructure of a high-rise should enable it to be self-sufficient in terms of its basic energy requirements. The idea behind using alternate energy sources is to make the project self-sustainable. In fact, in case the structure is capable to generate additional units, the advantage can be passed on to the smaller establishments in the vicinity or to the grid itself. Wind turbines have been incorporated and the glass dome that houses the indoor cricket academy has photovoltaic cells which also generate electricity. The multi-storey parking façade and natural atmospheric pressure are to be used to lower the temperature of the water for the air-conditioning plant instead of using large fans.
Backed by the Sri Lankan government, 96 Iconic Tower designed by ARK promises to be a landmark structure standing tall in Colombo's skyline.
‘Pixels’ The Digital Studio
| At a Glance | |
| Project: | ‘Pixels’ -The Digital Studio |
| Location: | New Delhi |
| Architecture Firm: | Plan loci |
| Design Team: | Vikas Gandhi, Gauri S Gandhi, Rajan Grover and Anil Bhaskar |
| Client: | LUXMI Digital Studio |
| Photo Courtesy: | Andre J Fanthome |
As the digital studio 'LUXMI' grew over the years along with the clients business, more and more functions were attached to the existing built form in an unplanned manner, making it increasingly unorganized. The client approached plan loci to assess their needs and refurbish the retail part of the digital studio which comprised the ground floor and the basement. Along with this, the facade was to be redone to communicate the popular stature that the studio had achieved.
The architects rationalized their brief by methodically quantifying each requirement to understand their spatial needs. The gist that came through was to have a reception, a manager's room, photo editing workstation, a display for photo frames and to communicate standard photo sizes on the ground floor. The basement was to have a photo studio, a passport studio, a makeup room and some more photo editing workstations.
On discussions with the client, the architects were able to understand that their business thrived on shooting weddings. An idea emerged to use bright colors as a reflection of the famous Indian marriage celebrations. This was also an opportunity to add a speck of liveliness on the drab urban landscape. However, the need was to not narrow the studio's scope but respect its identity as a whole.
Amalgamating these various thoughts, the architects arrived at the concept of 'pixels', the smallest unit in a digital image, to highlight the studio's occupation in entirety. The design uses around 2,500 aluminium squarish customized panels, each representing a single pixel that come together to form a digital image. The image on the facade itself looks to explore the RGB color gradation, the three basic colors that blend to form all colors, wrapping the building from one end to the other.
For the interiors, the architects decided to continue the aluminium panels onto the ceiling to complete the cubical form. However, the interiors do not carry forward the same palette on the panels, instead explores the concept in shades of grey. This is done purposefully to allow the focus to shift to the reception table, which has the colorful pixels on a digital print, done by the client himself. The reception table detail is carried over on the manager's cabin and on the display wall to provide a unified elongated look. The display and the manager's cabin use the non-colors grey and black to remain in the background merging with the ceiling. LED Lights were also customized in the same shape as the panels and the full heights have been utilized by rejecting the idea of any false ceiling. The idea of floating is again exploited in a composition of different sizes of photo frames and this element is placed next to the front glass acting as a show window display. The client has the option of changing these photographs and the long pixilated digital print, thus bringing in the flexibility to have a desire new look.
In the process to achieve a better space, one of the main structural changes introduced was to get rid of a spiral staircase connecting the ground floor to the basement and replacing it with straight stair under the existing one that goes to the first floor. This is finished with a black granite floor and a black mirror ceiling to see a subtle reflection providing one the notion of introspection before they enter for a photo shoot in the studios below. The studios itself are white boxes to give the photographer a plain backdrop to shoot. The journey of the experience culminates in the makeup room where the architect use mirrors and black pixels to give the space a larger look while continuing the design concept in a different form.
The Learning Hub at Nanyang Technological University
Designed by Heatherwick Studio and executed by CPG Consultants, The Learning Hub at Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), is a new educational landmark for Singapore.
As part of NTU's redevelopment plan for the campus, the 8-storey cocoon-like Learning Hub is designed to be new multi-use buildings for its 33,000 students. With floor space roughly of 14,000 sq m (150,000 sq ft), the building's unusual form derives from an effort to encourage collaborative learning.
Unusual Form
Instead of the traditional format of an educational building with miles of corridors linking box-like lecture rooms, the university asked for a unique design better suited to contemporary ways of learning. With the digital revolution allowing learning to take place almost anywhere, the most important function of this new university building was to be a place where students and professors from various disciplines could meet and interact with one another. The Learning Hub is envisioned to be a place where students might meet their future business partner or someone they would have an amazing idea with.
The outcome is a structure that interweaves both social and learning spaces to create a dynamic environment more conducive to casual and incidental interaction between students and professors. 12 towers, each a stack of rounded tutorial rooms, taper inwards at their base around a generous public central atrium to provide 56 tutorial rooms without corners or obvious fronts or backs.
| At a Glance | |
| Project Name: | Nanyang Technological University Learning Hub |
| Location: | Singapore |
| Completion: | March 2015 |
| Site Area: | 2,000 square metres |
| Gross Floor Area: | approx.14,000 square metres |
| Building Height: | 8 storeys |
| Client/Owner: | Nanyang Technological University |
| Lead Architect: | CPG Consultants, Project Lead - Vivien Leong |
| Design Consultant: | Heatherwick Studio, Project Architect - Ole Smith |
| Main Contractor: | Newcon Builders |
| Sustainability Consultants: | CPG Consultants |
| Mechanical & Electrical Engineers: | Bescon Consulting Engineers |
| Civil & Structural Engineers: | TYLin International |
| Photo Courtesy: | Hufton + Crow |
The new-generation smart classrooms were conceived by NTU to support its new learning pedagogies that promote more interactive small group teaching and active learning. The flexible format of the rooms allows professors to configure them to better engage their students, and for students to more easily collaborate with each other. The rooms in turn open onto the shared circulation space around the atrium, interspersed with open spaces and informal garden terraces, allowing students to be visually connected while also leaving space to linger, gather and pause.
NTU Professor Kam Chan Hin, Senior Associate Provost (Undergraduate Education) says, "The new Learning Hub provides an exciting mix of learning, community and recreational spaces for NTU students, professors and researchers from various disciplines to gather and interact. By bringing people and their ideas together, NTU can spark future innovations and new knowledge that increasingly happen at the intersection of disciplines."
Vivien Leong of CPG Consultants, the Lead Architect and Sustainability Consultants for the Learning Hub, says, "The most exciting aspect of this project is to see such an inspired design develop into a uniquely contextual and functional building through a highly collaborative process. Managing this project was no mean feat as we had to ensure that our work complied with Singapore's rigorous building regulations and that it achieved the highest standards of sustainability, while working hard to retain the integrity of the original design and vision of NTU. The opportunity to challenge convention by introducing several first-of-its-kind environmentally friendly features and innovative solutions that embody the spirit of modern day learning has been a truly rewarding experience for us."
Design Challenge & Solutions
With year-round temperatures in Singapore between 25°C and 31°C, it was important to maintain the students' comfort whilst achieving a sustainable energy usage. The building's open and permeable atrium is naturally ventilated, maximising air circulation around the towers of tutorial rooms and allowing students to feel as cool as possible. Each room is cooled using silent convection, which does away with the need for energy-heavy air conditioning fans. The Learning Hub building was awarded Green Mark Platinum status by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Singapore, the highest possible environmental standard for a building of this type.
In a digital age when many students have multiple communication devices and ready access to knowledge, the Learning Hub reasserts the role of an educational building in the 21st century. No longer a place for traditional classroom teaching to passive students, NTU's new icon provides space for collaborative learning in a technology-rich setting. Opened till late, it will be a place for students to gather, where knowledge is shared, collaboration between disciplines takes place, and where future leaders are nurtured.
Shepherds Bush Pavilion Hotel, London
| At a glance: | |
| Projects: | Shepherds Bush Pavilion |
| Location: | London, UK |
| Architect: | Flanagan Lawrence |
| Lead Architect: | Jason Flanagan |
| Area: | 15,135 m2 |
| Client: | Dorsett / Kosmopolitan Hotels |
| Contractor: | Ardmore |
| Structural Engineer: | Expedition Engineering & URS |
| M&E Engineer: | McBains Cooper & Malachi Walsh |
Completed to budget in July 2014, Flanagan Lawrence has unlocked the future potential of Shepherd's Bush Pavilion, complementing its form and reinforcing its original spirit. This solution achieves a careful balance between old and new, mooring the projects' pivotal position in Shepherd's Bush, a catalyst for the continuing regeneration of the area.
The building was originally designed by Frank Verity and was awarded the RIBA Award for the best London facade. After heavy damage caused by a V1 flying bomb during World War II, the building was vacant until 1955 when it was restored and reopened as a bingo hall. Before the recent redevelopment of the building into a hotel, the building had been in disuse for over a decade and had fallen into a state of disrepair. While the front elevation maintained much of its original design intent, the interiors and the rear façade had been extensively added to and adapted over its lifetime.
Transformation Brief
The proposal to convert this dilapidated building into a new 4 star hotel presented an ideal opportunity to give a much loved, but neglected building a new lease of life while revitalising and securing the retention of this important heritage asset and landmark on the Green.
Design Concept
The design concept was derived from a detailed understanding of the building's history and context and the result is a contemporary response that complements and refines the original character of the building. The final scheme retains the original award-winning brick façade, with minor alterations to ensure natural light within the hotel rooms behind, and recreates the original roof form with modern materials. The use of glazed 'shingles' as opposed to the original use of metal shingles, while following the original curved profile, again allows light within the upper floors of the scheme, which previously would have been un-usable space.
To incorporate the new functions, the interiors of the building were mainly removed. The new interior architectural sequence is based on the hierarchy of space in the original design and begins with the triumphal arch, which has been formed as a quarter dome to mirror the form of the corners of the external roof. This leads into a lower foyer, arranged in a similar configuration to the original cinema foyer, including a reference to the original circular floor decoration. The theme of the golden age of cinema is picked up in a series of art deco inspired curved roof vaults in the foyer space, with vertical circulation to the upper bedroom floors located in a similar position to the original circulation core at the west end of the 'tower'. The atrium is the real surprise; opening off the foyer, it rises to the full height of the building to create an impressive focal point for the hotel.
Drawing on the influence of Art Deco cinema design, the foyer and atrium spaces employ simple curved surfaces in alternating bands of black and gold. The internally illuminated spandrel panels also minimise sound reverberation. At ground floor level, dark- stained, ribbed timber panelling and heavy curtains serve a similar purpose. The honey-coloured limestone floor is inlaid with brass, in two simple decorative elements. In the main reception, view of atrium brass strips form a series of concentric circles at the centre of the space, which are reflected in a ceiling coffer above, while in the atrium, the bands define the circulation route from the reception through to the atrium bar.
New life with New Uses
The conversion and revitalisation of the building exemplifies good practice in managing to maintain the historic asset through the injection of new life and purpose. The conversion not only saved existing building stock within the townscape, it also extended the life of the building through the inclusion of new building materials and a new sustainable use. This new hotel use was acknowledged by the Local Planning Authority to be one of the few sustainable uses for the existing building, with the original uses being seen as not economically viable.
The scheme also forms part of the overall regeneration and resurgence of Shepherds Bush generally and builds on the upgrading works of the nearby station, Westfield and indeed the green itself, all contributing to the overall sustainability of the Shepherds Bush community and providing a new source of revenue – Tourism. The hotel development has also been the catalyst for the re-development of the adjacent Walkabout pub.
The street frontage which was boarded up for over a decade has been revitalised through the inclusion of two restaurants on ground floor. This activity provides a new space for the local community and tourists alike to meet whilst providing a destination and focal point for the Green. In both construction and in operation, the hotel has also generated increased local employment, with circa 90 staff operating in the hotel at any one point on a shift basis.
Sustainable Inclusions
In addition to the social and economic sustainability of the new hotel, the overall environmental performance of the building was increased as much as possible through the inclusion of new, energy efficient plant and services generally throughout the building. The thermal performance of the existing and new building fabric was substantially improved through the inclusion of additional insulation to the brick facades, high performance glazing and solar shading and improved air permeability.
This inclusive environment is established through a number of inclusions/adaptions to the building. The first being step-free access into and through the building itself. Automatic pass doors are provided at the main entrance, with discreet internal ramps being included where a change in level was unavoidable. The existing main entrance arch suitably identifies the main entrance through the architecture, where a canopy has been provided for protection to users. Lighting also assists with way finding around the site. Coach drop off and two disabled parking bays are provided at the secondary entrance to the building, where level access is provided directly into the building.
Internally, accessible Lifts are provided to all floors and all corridors and staircases are designed to ensure ease of use to all users. A number of fully accessible rooms have been provided within the hotel, and these rooms have been positioned across all floors of the building and in all orientations, hence providing a choice for users. Within these accessible rooms, options are provided on the bathroom accommodation, i.e. bath, showers and / or hoists, as well as with the handing of the room to ensure all users can be catered for. In addition to these, a number of rooms have been identified for future conversion into accessible rooms if the demand be sufficient. The ground floor of the hotel is also open to the public, with a restaurant and bar in the lobby area. This increases the accessibility of the unique heritage asset to the general public.
Shepherd's Bush Pavilion achieves the retention and re-use of a long term vacant listed building for a purpose which promotes the vitality and viability of Shepherds Bush Town Centre. Ideally located in the centre of the boroughs' redevelopment and adjacent to the popular O2 Empire concert venue, functioning as a hotel is both an economically viable venture as well as a catalyst for the project to attract both local visitors and international tourists to Shepherd's Bush.
Bird’s Nest Club House Balaji Windpark, Ahmedabad
| At a glance: | |
| Project: | Club House, Balaji Windpark, at Vaishnavdevi circle, Ahmedabad. |
| Form: | Shell like glass enclosure, complete glass 'gymnasium' |
| Glass Manufacturer & Supplier: | Marvel Glass Private Limited |
Shree Balaji Wind Park is a luxurious residential project developed by Shree Balaji Group and ideally located in the rapidly developing area of the city, Vaishnodevi Circle at SG Highway, Ahmedabad. Inspired by the Dubai and Spanish architectural design, the project consists of 6 towers each with 13 floors, state-of-the-art Pent Houses with Splash Pools and also a uniquely designed Club House ever built in the city.
Design: Shell like Glass Enclosure
The design of the moulded glass Club House is inspired by the Bird Nest or Beijing National Stadium, China. The architect has designed a classy shell form transparent and fully lit gymnasium which drives a message of engineering excellence and unparalleled commitment of the promoter to offer the best. Also, to give the form light feeling, the floor has been designed in glass.Curved and flat laminated glasses have been suspended from mild steel ribs, as outer skin of a complete enclosure, in the form of a shell. For added safety laminated glass floor has been provided to rest gym equipment, and as an actual glass floor inside the gym. The entire gym form is supported to a slab resting on a single column, on which a cyclic staircase is provided to access the gym.
Marvel Glass Private Limited, a leading architectural glass solutions provider was shortlisted to design and execute the complete glass form, including the glass specifications, fixing details and glass divisions, ensuring adequate structural strength with respect to live load and wind load, heat protection through diffused sunlight from the roof, glass alignment not allowing any water leakage, air vent cut-outs for hot air release, adequate air circulation inside the enclosure and structurally sound glass floor to absorb dead load as well as jumping load. Every aspect which includes, illustrated sketching, detailing of SS studs and aluminium flat supports for glass, steel templates for glass form and dimensioning, glass processing, glass installation, sealant application and overall aesthetics has been vendor’s responsibility.
Optimum Glass Engineering
Here many glasses are not only curved in different radius on individual axis but are also twisted in plane, while aligning with the adjacent glass which is again curved in different radii, but still aligned to the accuracy of millimeters to ensure butt joints which are leakage proof. Also, the curved safety glasses are made in factory and fitted individually at site, wherein for some glasses out of 4 edges, glass is structurally glazed on only 2 edges, although each panel weighs as high as 300 kgs. For each glass panel, individual steel template is made, cross braced to prevent distortion of template before it reaches the glass factory.Extremely efficient and skilled labor were involved to install these heavy glasses without allowing even a scratch on the surface, though hardly any platform was available to stand. As the glasses turn and enclose the form below the floor slab, the task of glass installation becomes even more difficult because at some places, there were hardly 6" gap between the glass panel and the slab which was not enough for someone to stand and install. Apart from the fact that each glass is customized and prone to extreme risk of scratches, edge chipping or cracking while installing…the given job has been successfully completed.
Meeting Challenges with Hi-tech Engineering
Not allowing heat build up on account of transparent glass cover all around, zero water penetration even with complex glass forms aligned with each other, capacity to sustain equipment and live load as a gym glass floor, viability to repair and replace any glass damaged during use, cleaning and maintenance of each glass panel both from inside and outside bearing the dusty weather of Ahmedabad…are some of the prominent challenges of this project. For each requirement independent features/technology innovation/engineering have been provided.
1) Preventing heat buildup: The roof glasses have been sand etched to cut light glare and to prevent the unwanted infra red radiation. Further 5 principal centrifugal turbo fans are provided to draw out hot air. Also, at the floor level air cooling duct is provided for supply of temperature controlled air to maintain ambient temperature inside at comfortable levels even at severely hot hours.
2) No water leakage: Glass fixing is facilitated using structural sealant. Further all exposed glass to glass joints have been impeccably matched and filled with weather sealant. Also, those grooves between glass panels not visible are sealed with dual protection of weather sealant.
3) Replacement of damaged glass panels: Made viable, as each individual glass panel is made in reference to a steel template while each panel is fitted in a manner in which it can be accessed and replaced.
4) Cleaning and maintenance of glasses: Structurally stable fitting has been incorporated to permit walking/access of safety laminated glasses from both outside and inside for cleaning using conventional methods.
Marvel Glass (www.marvelglass.com) undertook this challenging Club House project and completed it in 18 months, setting a landmark for Glass Engineering.
Cinepolis Megaplex at Viviana Mall, Mumbai
India's Largest & Technically Advanced Multiplex with Six Concepts under One Roof
Cinepolis has recently crossed the milestone of 100 screens in India with the launch of country's first 4DX technology enabled screen at Vivanna Mall, Thane in Maharashtra. With this multiplex which is the most technologically-advanced theater, Cinépolis will be operating 110 screens across India.
With 14 screens, this megaplex houses six concepts under one roof viz. Cinépolis VIP, IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Atmos, RealD 3D and 4K projection system. For the first time, audiences will have access to 4DX in India which provides a fully immersive movie experience with a real simulation of effects like motion seats, water, wind, fog, lightening and scents that enhance what one views on the screen.
The Cinépolis VIP is a concept that reinvents entertainment with full leather recliners, in-theatre restaurant apart from the existing service on-seat. It is also the first Cinépolis property to have a fully-equipped IMAX® Screen. In addition, another auditorium in the complex is equipped with Dolby Atmos, which employs up to 64 speakers to heighten the realism of every scene. Patrons can also enjoy freshly-prepared gourmet food at the in-house coffee shop, Coffee Tree, in the lobby of Cinépolis.
The property also has the state of the art 3-D technology from RealD® systems which has an exclusive tie-up with Cinépolis in India. RealD 3D cinema technology is a polarized 3D system that uses circularly polarized light to produce stereoscopic image projection. The advantage of circular polarization over linear polarization is that viewers are able to tilt their head and look about the theater naturally without seeing double or darkened images. However, as with other systems, any significant head tilt will result in incorrect parallax and prevent the brain from correctly fusing the stereoscopic images.
Apart from these, movie goers can avail the benefits of Club Cinépolis, the company's loyalty programme at the theatre in Viviana Mall.
"Our interest in this proposal was to combine our personality and international design trends, to create a design in which our patrons in India can feel identified. The objective of this new interior design concept was to keep the personality of Cinepolis Brand; fun, cool, creative, family driven, young and friendly, adapting the attributes of Cinepolis to the identity and context of India. In India, a country with such a vast and rich culture, which translates in lush forms and textures, colors and sensations, to adapt our company's personality, we wanted to create a spectacular space to commemorate our 100 screens in India. We were looking for India's taste to be reflected in our design concept, to give consumers world class service the same way in any of our eleven countries where we have presence like USA, Brazil, Mexico,in which we have received several awards for being the best cinema," says Luisa Ramírez Díaz, Design Director, Cinepolis.
Design Concepts & Features
Some of the design concepts and features of Cinepolis Megaplex as described by Díaz include:- The interior design concept created for Cinepolis Viviana was born from the need to have the best cinema complex in India, inside a highly relevant mall.
- The design process consisted in identifying those space elements, technologically and design driven that defines Cinepolis, with which we express the brand's personality and from that we proceed to do a reinterpretation.
- The height of our lobbies in our Indian Cinemas is unusual; however that wide space is necessary in order to provoke an immensity and monumentality effect, which we find very appealing in our complexes.
- Another key design element was the lighting. We lowered the lux levels, and introduced colored lights, replacing the painted walls with light washed walls. We incorporated a chandelier as a central design element from which, with a combination of lights, a flashing and glitter effect that floods this space is created, giving a scenic, theatrical and dramatic effect.
- The access corridor is a transition space between the lobby and the audis. It is a space where our patrons can introduce themselves to this submersible experience, which in this case will be the movie. The light levels are much lower, creating an intriguing environment, a prelude to something exciting that is yet to come.
- We selected materials from local providers, which when combined can create an eclectic, comfortable and vibrant environment.
- Talking about auditoriums, our design criterion is the best worldwide, stadium type seating in audis which offers much more comfort and the best projection and sound experience in the world. It improves the surrounding sound experience through widening the "Sweet Spot" (the best seats inside an audi, where the patrons can feel the sound experience at its fullest, according to the speakers' placement).
- The projection and sound of all our auditoriums have the latest technology out in the worldwide market. Our Audis have a 7.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound having two additional audio channels, which traditionally were 5.1 channels.
- Our 4K Digital Projection, offers 4 times the level of image quality than which other cinemas with 2k projectors can offer. The 4K Digital Cinema offers images with larger aspect ratio, and as a result much richer and detailed image quality. With 4K, the patrons will forget about pixels and will focus on the movie's plot.
- In Cinepolis Viviana, we introduced innovative concepts, such as VIP, 3D sound immersive technology Dolby Atmos, the Imax Theatre, the 4DX audi and coming soon the Junior audi. The design as well as the introduction of these innovative concepts makes this complex the biggest, most modern and innovative.
- In an IMAX movie, the sound has also been improved. As a result of a patented digital remastering process, the movie's original sound is remixed in postproduction to recapture the Complete Dynamic Range.
- The 4DX Audi is a Digital Projection system which achieves a much deeper indulgence of the patrons recreating the movie's ambience inside the audi, such as fog, rain, wind, scents, deeper and more intense sounds, as well as vibrations and movements from the seats.
UKA Unveils Design for Velodrome, Lucknow
| At a Glance | |
| Project: | Velodrome |
| Location: | Guru Govind Singh Sports College, Kursi Road, Lucknow |
| Current Status: | Competition Entry, Dec 2014 |
| Architects: | Utkarsh Kothari, Director, UKA Ravindra Verma, Chief Architect , UKA |
New Delhi-based architecture firm Utkarsh Kothari & Associates (UKA) has recently submitted its design for competition of proposed Velodrome within Guru Govind Singh Sports College, Lucknow.
Design Concept
Velodrome being proposed is with a seating Capacity of 5,000. A total area of 20,000 sq. m. is required for capacity of 5,000 as per international norms. The remaining 6,000 sq. m. could be utilized for residential facilities for the athletes/ families/ officials etc. The largest practical size for the arena space keeping in mind the sight lines, would be of diameter 120m for the 250m length cycle track.
UKA chose pre-weathered quartz VMZINC for the envelope which is a long lasting, durable, aesthetically pleasing and unique envelope. VMZINC Interlocking panels clad the opaque part of the facade, highlighted by the contemporary facade lighting solutions. The monolithic impression is created by the quartz zinc cladding on the façade. The material was transformed into small elements that were folded and hollowed out and were installed in strips on the entire façade over steel frame. The raised interlocking system of zinc pieces provide subtle shadow reliefs in the facade and combine with the lightness of seamless glass that can be seen from a distance as they glisten in contrast under the shiny morning sun and also glow at night.
The peripheral facade is proposed in zinc metal panels with external cladding on steel framing as per the dynamic shapes. This framing is supported on the main steel trusses spanning across the Velodrome diameter.
Proposed Velodrome is a structure intensive building which is located in seismic zone III of India and is designed for earthquake and wind load combinations. The roof consists of light weight steel roof truss covered with sheeting supported by periphery columns in steel. The roof structure shall be designed for gravity, seismic and wind forces. A 3-Dimensional analysis is performed using Limit State Approach. The building is analyzed using STAAD-Pro Structural Design software. The analysis is carried out in accordance with the provision of NBC, building bye-laws and specifications as stipulated by Bureau of Indian Standards.
The structure is analyzed for the appropriate seismic loads, all dead loads and live loads, wind pressure etc. In all cases, normal strengthening to resist distress during earthquake is being provided in the structural design. The facility proposed will be state-of-the-art, and will set a benchmark for all such future projects in India.
