Eleftheria Square, Nicosia
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects New urban square at the heart of Nicosia aims to reconnect the two halves of the city.
| At a Glance | |
| Architect | : Zaha Hadid Architects |
| Project | : Eleftheria Square |
| Program | : Urban Plaza Masterplan |
| Location | : NICOSIA, CYPRUS |
| Client | : The City of Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Photo Courtesy | : Zaha Hadid Architects |
Concept
The project, Eleftheria Square is situated in the political context of Nicosia, Europe's last divided capital and in the historical context of the adjacent Venetian Wall which is buffered by a recessed moat that presently consists of a mainly inaccessible garden and landscape areas. This massive Venetian fortification, which was designed to protect the city from invaders, de facto defines the extent of the ancient city and separates it from the modern city outside the walls. The "Green line" separates the capital of two communities and instead of being a place of integration and unification it sadly occupies the place of the last divided capital of Europe.The significance of the intervention at Eleftheria Square lies in the fact that it can become a catalyst for the urban unification of the whole of Nicosia. An opportunity which, by means of an urban intervention, would offer an architecturally coherent and continuous solution that would reinstate the Venetian Monument as a main part of the identity of Capital City and the Moat as the New Landscape in which a central green ring can take place providing free and unobstructed movement around the whole of the fortified city.
Design
Zaha Hadid Architects took this challenge as an opportunity to design an urban plaza with deep history and full of contradictions. The architect's concept takes the form of an architectural intervention, which is only part of a much larger urban planning gesture that aspires to organize and synthesize the whole of the Venetian wall, the Moat and the Fringes of two parts of the city (inner and outer) into a unified whole. The moat becomes a Green Belt which as a ‘necklace' surrounds and unifies the Venetian wall and can become Nicosia's Main Park, enhancing the quality of life by offering a range of recreational facilities such as spaces for rest during day time, walk and exercise during the cooler hours of the morning and evening. It can also be used for Art exhibitions and installations, Sculpture gardens and sports activities, all around the perimeter of the Venetian Walls. In order to these spaces to function properly, designer advocate the insertion of activators, facilities especially designed to promote the use of the Park at the Moat Level. At the same time, the Moat can be topographically inflated upwards making wide and accessible connections to the level of the surrounding streets.
As a consequence, Eleftheria square and the other bridging streets to the outer perimeter of the Venetian Wall become the gates to the inner city, which could have restricted access to cars and more pedestrianized streets. In order to achieve that a car traffic analysis is being proposes to calculate the required capacity for car parking and consolidation it in privately run car park facilities, which can be placed under the streets, such as the one proposed under Omirou Ave, and even partly under the garden surface of the Moat. The placement of car parks under the garden surface would allow the "topographical inflations" to be combined with connections to the street level and maximize the available parking spaces making the construction of these projects feasible. The Venetian wall would be restored and lit continuously to emphasize its presence during the night time. A pedestrian walk lined up with a continuous line of palm trees creates a walking path right next to the wall.
World’s Tallest Building will be Kingdom Tower
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture recently announced that it is designing Kingdom Tower which will be the world's tallest building, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, near the Red Sea.
| Project at a glance | |
| Project | : Kingdom Tower |
| Location | : Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, |
| Design architects | : Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill |
| Developer | : Jeddah Economic Company |
| Project cost | : $1.2 billion |
The project was announced by His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, nephew of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, which is a partner in Jeddah Economic Company along with prominent Jeddah businessmen Samaual Bakhsh and Abdulrahman Hassan Sharbatly and Saudi Binladin Group (SBG). SBG is also the contractor for Kingdom Tower.
"Prince Alwaleed, Mr. Bakhsh, Mr. Sharbatly and I were impressed by the boldness and simplicity of the Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill design," said Talal Al Maiman, Executive Director, Development and Domestic Investments, a Board member of Kingdom Holding Company and a board member of JEC. "Kingdom Tower's height is remarkable, obviously, but the building's iconic status will not depend solely on that aspect. Its form is brilliantly sculpted, making it quite simply one of the most beautiful buildings in the world of any height."
In addition to its status as an architectural landmark and economic symbol, Kingdom Tower will enjoy great cultural significance. "We envision Kingdom Tower as an iconic new marker of Jeddah's historic importance as the traditional gateway to the holy city of Mecca," Al Maiman said. He noted that the southeast leg of Kingdom Tower's tripedal base is on a direct line with the Ka'ba in Mecca, Islam's holiest site.
"Our vision for Kingdom Tower is one that represents the new spirit of Saudi Arabia," said Smith, whose experience in supertall tower design at SOM also includes Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, Nanjing Greenland Financial Center in Nanjing, China, the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago and Pearl River Tower, now in the late stages of construction in Guangzhou, China. "This tower symbolizes the Kingdom as an important global business and cultural leader, and demonstrates the strength and creative vision of its people. It represents new growth and high-performance technology fused into one powerful iconic form. "
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill's design for Kingdom Tower is both highly technological and distinctly organic. "With its slender, subtly asymmetrical massing, the tower evokes a bundle of leaves shooting up from the ground - a burst of new life that heralds more growth all around it," Smith said.
The sleek, streamlined form of the tower was inspired by the folded fronds of young desert plant growth, Gordon Gill added. "The way the fronds sprout upward from the ground as a single form, then start separating from each other at the top, is an analogy of new growth fused with technology," he said. "We're thrilled to be working with His Highness and Jeddah Economic Company to help define this path for the Kingdom."
While the design is contextual to Saudi Arabia, it also represents an evolution and a refinement of an architectural continuum of skyscraper design. The three-petal footprint is ideal for residential units, and the tapering wings produce an aerodynamic shape that helps reduce structural loading due to wind vortex shedding. The Kingdom Tower design embraces its architectural pedigree, taking full advantage of the proven design strategies and technological strategies of its lineage, refining and advancing them to achieve new heights.
The result is an elegant, cost-efficient and highly constructible design that is at once grounded in built tradition and aggressively forward-looking, taking advantage of new and innovative thinking about technology, building materials, life-cycle considerations and energy conservation. For example, the project will feature a high-performance exterior wall system that will minimize energy consumption by reducing thermal loads. In addition, each of Kingdom Tower's three sides features a series of notches that create pockets of shadow that shield areas of the building from the sun and provide outdoor terraces with stunning views of Jeddah and the Red Sea.
The great height of Kingdom Tower necessitates one of the world's most sophisticated elevator systems. The Kingdom Tower complex will contain 59 elevators, including 54 single-deck and five double-deck elevators, along with 12 escalators. Elevators serving the observatory will travel at a rate of 10 meters per second in both directions.
Another unique feature of the design is a sky terrace, roughly 30 meters (98 feet) in diameter, at level 157. It is an outdoor amenity space intended for use by the penthouse floor.
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill also designed the master plan for the 23-hectare Kingdom Tower Waterfront District, which surrounds the tower and which will include residential and commercial buildings, a shopping mall, high-quality outdoor spaces and other amenities. The Waterfront District provides a cohesive and pedestrian-friendly setting for Kingdom Tower while creating a pleasant neighborhood experience along the Kingdom City lakefront.
The district encompasses a high-end shopping mall designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, plus additional development parcels that accommodate commercial and high-density residential uses, offices, two luxury hotels and high-quality open spaces, including the central Tower Plaza. A serene waterfront promenade connects Kingdom Tower, the various development parcels, the open space areas and the mall together. The result is an exciting mixed-use area that offers a concentrated and comprehensive experience including vibrant shopping, entertainment and open-space amenities. The Waterfront District also provides an array of connections to other areas within Kingdom City's overall master plan, designed by HOK Architects.
Design development of the tower is under way, with construction to begin imminently. Foundation drawings are complete and the piling for the tower is currently being tendered. Kingdom tower will cost approximately $1.2 billion to construct, while the cost of the entire Kingdom City project is anticipated to be $20 billion.
Water Glass Guest House, Japan
Kengo Kuma & associates made an attempt to connect architecture with sea by means of an 'engawa (veranda)' of water in their project Water Glass Guest House. Sited at Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, the guest house is designed with the theme of the transparency of glass and water. By locating the "glass box" on an overflowing plane of water, the water plane and the Pacific Ocean can be experienced as a continuous surface.
The design of this project was greatly influenced by "Hyuga" Villa which German architect Bruno Taut has designed by practicing the principle of Japanese Architecture in Japan.
Bruno Julius Florian Taut (4 May 1880 – 24 December 1938), was a prolific architect, urban planner and author active in the Weimar period. Taut is best known for his theoretical work, speculative writings and a handful of exhibition buildings. He stayed in Japan from 1933 to 1936. His best-known building is the prismatic dome of the Glass Pavilion at the Cologne Werkbund Exhibition (1914) and his sketches for "Alpine Architecture" (1917) are the work of an unabashed Utopian visionary, and he is variously classified as a Modernist and an Expressionist.
Sprawl over an area of 568.89m3 and locates on the site with a great ocean view, the guest house is a three storey reinforced concrete and steel frame building - where it has two tatami room (Japanese style guest room) on second level and two Western style guest rooms on third level.
Inspired by the philosophies of Taut, architect Kengo in his Water glass guest house project, connect both architecture and nature to each other through the medium of horizontal surfaces such as engawa and eaves, rather than glazed boundaries. According to architect Kengo, 'Architecture is a relationship with the nature rather than the form' and our work in project water glass is homage to Taut. Kengo taking ideas from Katsura Palace creates a design of building and once again made an attempt to satisfy the obsession with drowning architecture in the landscape. As per the design, a layer of water gently covers the edges of the building, as in Katsura's bamboo verandas, while a stainless steel louver casts the shadow of the roof onto the water. The water surface stretches further out to unite the surface with the Pacific Ocean, and a glass box floats on top of this mirror, breaking up and reflecting the rays of the sun inside and outside. The project becomes "a total environment in which everything dissolves, where there is no disarticulation of space, where boundaries disappear, finally drowned in the water, the ocean and the blue sky.
| At a Glance | |
| Project | : Water/ Glass House |
| Location | : Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan |
| Design Team | : Kengo Kuma and Associates |
| Photograph Credit | : Mitsumasa Fujitsuka |
In the Western architectural tradition, a building is primarily framed by means of walls and windows. That interposes a frame between the subject and the object. The subject is inevitably cut off from the object. On the other hand, in traditional Japanese architecture, horizontal planes (i.e. the floor and the ceiling) are the dominant framing devices. This enables the subject and the object to coexist in a continuous space, without being cut off from each other by the frame. In such a case, the main concern of planning is the introduction of a sequence and speed into a continuous space. One cannot help but introduce into the building the parameter of time as well as the parameter of space. And in the Water Glass House, Kengo tried to frame space with only two horizontal planes - the floor of water and the ceiling louvers- and to generate between the planes a transparent and fluid time-space.
Al Bahr Towers Abu Dhabi Investment Council New Headquarters
The design concept for Aedas's innovative competition winning design has been derived from an algorithmic composition, the Islamic principles of design, and has been supplemented by the application of a dynamic translucent 'Mashrabiya' which opens and closes in response to the movement of the sun, reducing solar gain on the building facade by up to 50%. The resulting composition seeks to create a building which is both culturally and environmentally responsive, reflecting the aspirations of the brief while also respecting the emergent Abu Dhabi 2030 Plan. The building is targeting a LEED Silver rating and expected to be completed by the beginning of 2012.
| Project at a Glance | |
| Project | : Abu Dhabi Investment Council headquarters |
| Type | : Commercial |
| Location | : Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Client | : Abu Dhabi Investment Council |
| Architect and Lead Consultant | : Aedas Architects Ltd |
| Consultant/Structural Engineer | : Arup |
| Cost Consultant | : Davis Langdon LLP |
| Landscape Architect | : Townshend Landscape Architects |
Design Concept
The project's design concept is both culturally and environmentally appropriate and complies with the aspirations of the recently published 2030 Abu Dhabi Development Plan.The building design concept is based upon a desire to create a composition which will respect the prestigious nature of the Investment Council while also reflecting the underlying cultural tradition in a modern idiom, and responding to the prevailing environmental conditions. In response to the client's brief, Aedas's design approach for the buildings were influenced by three key drivers; inspiration from nature, sustainable design and the principles of Islamic architecture, a key aspect of which is geometric composition.
Geometry
Geometric composition has been a defining characteristic of Islamic architecture for centuries, the circle and rotation reflecting the concept of unification and unity evident in nature; an important concept in Islam and in the emerging science of biomimicry. For this project, a geometric pattern has been conceived, in order to provide a framework upon which the towers stand on adjacent sites. The resulting geometrical framework, when applied to the towers results in a parametrically based, i.e mathematically rationalised form, allowing the design to be developed with precision and accuracy.
Towers form
The starting point for the design was two cylindrical towers, a circle producing the most efficient form in terms of wall to floor area together with the maximum volume with minimum surface area. The geometry generated an articulated plan form to provide orientation, creating a front and a rear elevation. The form of the tower was sculpted around the core, narrower at the base and at the top, but broader around the intermediate floors. The crown of the tower was cut at an angle in order to maximise solar gain for roof-mounted photovoltaic's and sky gardens were introduced in the most heavily exposed southerly elevation to reduce solar gain while providing an amenity space for users.
The towers provide circa 55,000sqm of flexible accommodation which can be arranged in open-plan or cellular configuration.
Structural System
A crystalline/honeycombed structure has been derived from the underlying geometry that provides highly efficient load paths and creates a structural solution which is at once stable, flexible and economical. The structural form also embodies a high degree of redundancy which would be very resilient if damaged. The Abu Dhabi Investment Council building superstructure is expressed on the external face of the building reflecting the underlying geometrical framework.The Dynamic Mashrabiya
A key feature of the design is the application of a diaphanous screen that envelopes the most exposed aspect of the building in the form of a dynamic 'Mashrabiya. The Mashrabiya screen solution has responded to the United Arab Emirates' aspiration to become a leader in the field of alternative energy, as evidenced by the recent Masdar initiative. Preliminary estimates suggest that the screen will result in a 25% reduction in the cooling load, thereby substantially reducing the carbon footprint of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council building towers.
Each Mashrabiya comprises an umbrella-like unit which opens and closes throughout the day in response to the sun's movements. Each Mashrabiya comprises a series of PTFE fabric mesh panels that are driven by a linear actuator. As each tower comprises circa 1,000 Mashrabiya units, so it has been estimated that the 'Mashrabiya' will achieve a 50% reduction in solar gain, a significant reduction in electrical energy consumption together with a reduction in total site CO2 emissions of over 1,750 tonnes per year.
Sky Gardens
In order to further reduce the potential for solar gain, the form has been sculpted to provide sky gardens in what would otherwise have become the most sensitive areas of the building. The sky gardens also provide visual relief for users of the building and an important amenity space for staff during the cooler months of the year.Roof Form
The sculptural form of the tops of the towers has been driven by a desire to take advantage of the sloping southerly aspect to apply a skin of photovoltaic cells whilst simultaneously maximising the more sheltered northerly aspect providing open views towards the sea.Basement Accommodation
There are two levels of basement, providing circa 37,500sqm of accommodation for parking, plant and back of house functions. The car-park will accommodate over 750 vehicles.Ground Floor and Podium Accommodation
The two towers are tied together by means of a podium block comprising circa 14,000sqm of accommodation, which provides controlled access to both towers. The podium block also contains a number of shared facilities including, cafeteria, prayer rooms and a lecture theatre while discrete access for VIP's is provided at podium level. The ground floor and podium block comprise a lightweight shell roof that has been derived from the same geometric composition as the towers. The roof is supported by a series of 'tree-column's' and the mezzanine accommodation within the podium area has been hung from the structure above.
Elevators
Each tower has been provided with 5 passenger lifts plus 2 VIP lifts and 2 service elevators. In order to ensure effective security of the building, staff using the basement car park access the towers by means of escalators via the ground floor.Sustainability Features
The building is targeting a LEED Silver rating and the following are among the measures to be adopted, in addition to the 'Dynamic Mashrabiya':- Installation of solar panels at podium level to generate hot water
- Reduction in water usage
- Use of materials that are regionally sourced
- Use of materials with a high recycled content
- Use of wood from forests which are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) Principles
Landscape
The design of the exterior landscaping reflects the geometrical composition of the building and comprises a variety of hard and soft treatments, together with a number of water features. The landscaping within the Sky Gardens comprises a more formal arrangement of boxed plants and seating areas. All landscaping will be irrigated using non-potable water and only water efficient species have been selected.Construction Technology
In order to achieve a fast-track programme, an enabling works contract was awarded following completion of the detailed design. The enabling works contract included construction of the water retaining basement perimeter together with the piling and basement blinding.The tower cores are being constructed using 'slip-form' technology which has allowed a continuous pouring sequence to be maintained. The superstructure of the towers comprises a steel structure with a sprayed fire-resistant coating. The tower floors comprise in-situ concrete slabs cast over 'Holorib' permanent shuttering spanning between radial steel beams.
Building Information Modelling [BIM] was implemented early in the project to ensure proper coordination of the principle interfaces. Key components, including the steel superstructure and the façade, have been simulated in BIM with fabrication cutting lists extracted directly from the digital 3D model and members manufactured and cut to size using CNC technology. Also the components including the steel superstructure and the façade have been installed using GPS surveying technology to manage the complex geometry and provide the levels of accuracy required.
The construction of the project is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2012.
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
The $100 million complex comprises two wings connected by an open courtyard: a dedicated research center, located at the northern end of the building, and a 'for-hire' event space, dubbed the Life Activity Center, located at the southern end. Architecturally, the two spaces are dramatically different and yet together they form a cohesive whole.
Structural Design
The building's design reflects the two sides of the brain. The free-form south side depicts creativity and imagination, while the stacked cubes on the north represent logic and reason. The four-storey clinic, which houses medical offices, patient rooms and research space, is rational. Clad in stucco and glass and resembling a series of stacked white blocks, it takes on a conventional, rectilinear geometry. While not in the immediate view of the project from the corner of the site, this is the actual front of the building serving as employee, patient and public entrance. The Activities Center contained within an expressive metal and glass form, is articulated as a curvilinear metal façade and roof with punched-window/skylight openings. Designed as an event space, it can be rented out for parties, weddings and special occasions with the proceeds going to fund the center's research. The Activities Center is flanked by a simple blocks of the Kitchen and Museum of the Mind which are ancillary functions of the Activities Center.
| Architect | : Frank Gehry |
| Location | : Las Vegas, Nevanda |
| Client | : Keep Memory Alive Foundation |
| Schedule | : Begin Design – 2005 Estimated Start of Construction – 2006 Completion – April 2010 |
The center is intended to provide facilities that bridge all aspects of patient care, research, and education, which include an outpatient clinic, a research clinic, neuro-imaging suites, a reference library, a small Museum of the Mind, a multi-purpose activities/banquet center for 450 people, a catering kitchen, as well as office space for the American Alzheimer's Association, the Huntington's Disease Association, the Keep Memory Alive Foundation, and the American Parkinson's Disease Association.
Architect Gehry deftly manipulates space and materials to create stunning structures that captivate the imagination. His design of Keep Memory Alive's headquarters at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health has been nothing short of remarkable. The Gehry teams have created a masterpiece of architectural design, blending strong visual impact with superior efficiency in patient care. Ar. Gehry wanted to create a place in Las Vegas that will be memorable. He explains, "The mantra is Keep Memory Alive. I'm trying to make a building that people will want to visit, remember, talk about, and enjoy, and ultimately will want to partner with us at the Center to help cure some of the neurodegenerative diseases."
Tamil Nadu’s New Legislative Assembly Building - World's First Green Assembly Building
Seven stories Tamil Nadu's new Legislative Assembly building in Chennai has become India's largest government building to have been awarded the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The building would use less water, consume less energy, preserve natural resources, generate less waste and provide healthier space to occupants, as compared to a conventional building. Design conceived by German architect GMP, the geometry of this new building reflects circles and isosceles triangle.
GMP designed and built Secretariat, is based on the culture and tradition of Tamil Nadu. The Secretariat structure is like a chakra with 36 isoceles triangles in its base which will be turned into offices for the Govt. officials including the Office of the Speaker. There is also a car parking lot that can accommodate over 500 cars, which is developed as a multi-storyed building, to the left of the complex. There are totally 4 dooms, where the offices of the officials, Assembly, Conventional Hall and the Legislative Assembly chamber are placed. The new complex cost Rs.4.5 billion.
Design Concept
The circle is the most natural and obvious geometric shape for any conference and assembly building. Inspired by the Hindu philosophy of the chakra wheels, the floor-plan design for the new assembly building in Chennai, the capital of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, envisages a five-part figure, formed by circles of different sizes inscribed into 30 segments of a larger, imaginary, circle.Urban Design
The large parliament building fills one segment of the underlying imaginary circular geometry, whose centre lies beyond the river Kuvam, which runs along the northern site border and flows into the Bay of Bengal quite close to it.
The building structure derived from the chakra vortex column is reserved for the actual parliament building, the seat of the legislative assembly. However, the first circle is a public urban plaza (Civic Forum) at the beginning of the enfilade of architectural structures and landscaped open areas (including administration building, auditorium and guest house) east of the legislative assembly. The Civic Forum circle determines the widths and longitudinal axis of these subordinate bracketing structures and thus forms the 'hinge' between the population and the government it elected
Parliament Building
Apart from the philosophical foundations of the project, the courtyard motif was an essential design factor, used in various forms: as a central plaza, a central access and distribution area and not least as an open water tank – a traditional element of Tamil Nadu architecture. The designers also used the courtyard motif in other sections of the complex, and filled them with different functions.Four circular 'holes', or negative forms (courtyards), were cut into the building mass and filled with different contents. The first and largest negative form has been left open, whilst the three following ones accommodate special functional cylinders (assembly hall, library, conference rooms, etc.). The airspace between the large, curving peripheral building mass and the cylinders ensures natural lighting for the rooms even down to the ground floor. The cylinder buildings are connected to the peripheral structure by bridges arranged like the spokes of a wheel. The fifth, and smallest, cylinder to the northeast is shaded by a mighty old banyan tree, which stands on the longitudinal axis of the complex.
The Courtyards
1st Circle (Basis) – Civic Forum, Public PlazaThis public courtyard has the function of a threshold, or 'anteroom', to the main entrance of the building. A planted two-storey structure and a water tank (pool) form the atmospheric centre of the plaza. The surrounding structures contain a number of public functions such as ticket offices and visitor information points.
2nd Circle (Power) – Assembly Hall
As the seat of the legislative, the Assembly Hall forms the heart of the complex and rises from the second plan circle as a free-standing structure. The domed roof of the plenary chamber is visible from afar and symbolizes the superordinate significance of this hall.
3rd Circle (Communication) – Library, Conference Rooms, Roof Garden
The library represents the memory store of government legislative decisions and decrees. The building's placement in the 3rd circle, directly next to the Assembly Hall, is indicative of its significant function. The two-storey conference hall on the 2nd upper floor and the 5th-level rooftop garden surrounded by generously dimensioned corridors and foyers form the communication forum for the ministerial suites around the library.
| Project | : Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Complex |
| Location | : Chennai, India |
| Architect | : gmp – von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects |
| Gross floor area | : 180,000 m² |
| Assembly Complex | : 86,000 m² + Service Building, ca. 4,600 m² |
| Department Complex | : 69,300 m² |
| Convention Hall | : 12,200 m², ca. 2,000 seats |
| Guest House | : 2,900 m² |
| Multi-storey car parking | : 500 cars |
| Construction period | : 2008–2010 |
The 4th circle cut into the northern end of the building mass is defined by the Chief Minister's suite. The rooftop garden of this structure is a resting place reserved for the Chief Minister.
5th Circle (Universal Consciousness) – Tree of Life, CM/VVIP Drive in India, the banyan tree is a symbol of longevity and constancy. The specimen that stood here has therefore been integrated into the design concept in a meaningful way – as a silent witness to the past, present and future in the last of the five successively smaller circles. The overall large geometric form of the parliament building generated additional, this time semi-circular 'cut-outs' (courtyards) at its periphery. These function as light wells for the offices in the upper-floor bracketing structures and include the ground-floor VIP front drives along the circular access road underneath the building base.
Modernity and Tradition
The design for the state parliament of Tamil Nadu convinces as an impressive, yet simple and modern large architectural form in a creative reinterpretation of traditional south-Indian architecture and ornamentation, which form integral parts of the overall design.Kolams
These intricate geometric ornaments of colored rice flour represent prayers for happiness and wealth and are laid out on the thresholds of houses or flats. The design therefore includes a large-scale stone-mosaic kolam on the threshold of the new Civic Forum, abstract reinterpretations of kolams as reliefs of pale-colored stone on some prominent façade sections, and kolam-type geometric arrangements of garden plantings.
Roof Gardens
The two roof gardens, visible as central green outdoor spaces from the 5th and 6th floors quote traditional Tamil patio house architecture. Bridges connect them to the surrounding floors. Pergolas grown with climbers shade the roof gardens from the tropical sun and peripheral inclined glass roofs let natural light fall into the building.Passages
Stepped overhangs above passages and stepped column heads are characteristic of Dravidian architecture. The design of the Assembly Hall proper has therefore been derived from these traditional elements: the upper storey's jut out step-wise into the circular plenary chamber. This heightens the hall's significance as the 'heart' of the government complex.Wall Paintings / Interior Decoration
Southern Indian architecture fascinates because of its rich interior ornamentation with wall paintings or artistic wood carvings and stone moldings.The Dome
The Assembly Hall's skyline with its domed roof is a modern reinterpretation of the originally thatched archaic temples typical of southern India. This 'classical' symbol of sovereignty in the form of a contemporary filigree glass-and-steel engineering structure forms a bridge from the past into the future.Outdoor Areas
The parliament building stands on a terraced green base and is thus raised from the ground level. From this green terrace, a grand stairway leads up to the Civic Forum plaza, linking the building to the urban surroundings. Most of the magnificent old trees on the site will be preserved and complemented with further plantings on the terrace base and along the front stairway.The width of the administration building (which defines the east side of the Civic Forum) corresponds to the diameter of the round plaza in front of the parliament building. The radius of the office building's concave façade starts from the centre of the Civic Forum and thus points to the functional connection between the two structures.
Administration building
State Guest House and the Convention Hall
The design of the State Guest House and the Convention Hall repeats the motif of circle and cylinder. The guest rooms of the former are accommodated on two floors around a garden patio; its building ring is supported by a square ground-floor storey, which houses the lobby and front drive, the restaurant, conference and spa facilities and the respective adjoining outdoor areas, each arranged in one of the four sections of the square.The auditorium of the Convention Hall seats 2,000 people and also forms a cylindrical volume placed in the middle of a rectangular structure defined by four corner towers. The foyer surrounds the auditorium on three sides, thus making it possible for people to enter the hall at every level, and to link the interior to the surroundings via large garden terraces.
The Construction Technology
During the construction, many challenges have been met and solved with the help of non conventional and modern methods. Foundation is laid using rotary piling. The methodology of post-tensioning has been used extensively for slabs and beams in place of the conventional method of reinforced cement concrete. The RCC walls around the structure carry 20,000 sq m of structural glazing and 10,000 sq m of blue granite cladding. This building has so far consumed more than 5300 cu m of river sand, 24,000 MT of cement, 14,000 MT of steel, 50,00,000 numbers of bricks, 48,000 sq m of granite slab, and 18,000 sq m of Marble slab. About 1.12 crore man hours were spent.On the environmental aspect, this building is constructed to cause least disturbance to environment adopting the concepts of Green buildings. When compared to conventional buildings, this building reduced 20% energy consumption by using energy saving electrical appliances including light fixtures. Occupancy sensors can automatically switch off the Air condition and lights. The natural lighting is harvested on all sides through panel façade and through the big dome at the top. The adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings used in the building have less volatile organic compounds and are less harmful to humans. The thermal comfort to the occupants is as per international standards and the internal air quality is also pleasant since the whole area is declared as non smoking zone.
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has certified this as Gold rated Green Building and therefore the Tamil Nadu assembly building is getting the honour of the first Green assembly / parliament building in the world. This has also become the largest certified Green government building in India. However, the building was inaugurated on March 13, 2010 but it would be fully completed by the end of this year.
The design of the new Legislative Assembly Complex in Chennai has been developed in a creative contest with the traditional and spiritual architectural environment of southern India. The emblematic monumental appearance with its clear concept united the pretention for a sovereign architecture with the constructional and functional necessities of a modern administration and Parliament Complex.
Solar City Tower
Swiss architects RAFAA design a green project 'Solar City Tower' for the 2016 summer games in Rio, which is seeking to be the first zero-carbon footprint games. The project under consideration should be located in the bay of the city of Rio de Janeiro on the Cotonduba Island, which is the obligatory approach for aircraft landing and will comprise a vertical structure which will seek to become a symbol for those arriving in Rio, creating an image potent enough to enable Rio to triumph in its bid to host the summer Olympics in 2016. The challenge, therefore, consists of designing an observation tower which will become a symbol welcoming all those who visit Rio de Janeiro, whether they arrive by air or sea.
Concept
The aim of this project is to ask how the classic concept of a landmark can be reconsidered. It is less about an expressive, iconic architectural form; rather, it is a return to content and actual, real challenges for the imminent post-oil-era. This project represents a message of a society facing the future; thus, it is the representation of an inner attitude. Standing in the tradition of "a building/city as a machine", the project shall provide energy both to the city of Rio de Janeiro and its citizens while using natural resources.
After hosting the United Nation's Earth Summit in 1992, Rio de Janeiro will once again be the starting point for a global green movement and for a sustainable development of urban structures. It will perhaps even become a symbol for the first zero carbon footprint Olympic Games.
Approach
Organization
Both entrance area and amphitheatre can serve as a place for social gatherings and events. The public spaces are also accessible from this point on. The cafeteria and the shop are situated beneath the waterfall and offer a breathtaking view. The public elevator takes the visitor to the observation decks and the urban balcony. The administration offices can be reached directly from the foyer. Its inner circulation is organized by an own entrance and the elevator. The semi-public spaces are located in the back area of the building; thus, they can be used separately. A retractable platform for bungee jumping is located on level +90.5. Long distance observation can be done from the observation deck on level +98.0. The urban balcony is situated at the top of the tower 105 meters above sea level. Here the visitor has a 360° view of the landscape and can experience the waterfall while walking over the glass skywalk.
Foster’s 7 More London Achieves BREEAM Outstanding
7 More London Riverside is the first office building in England to achieve the BREEAM 'Outstanding' accreditation. BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment method) is an environmental standard for buildings, which determines best practice in sustainable design and in the UK is used to describe a building's environmental performance.
Located in the south on the bank of River Thames in London, a 10-storeys 7 More London Riverside, is the final and largest building within the More London masterplan. It covers a 13-acre site and houses a City Hall, a hotel, office buildings and extensive landscaped public space, including an open amphitheatre.) developed by More London Development providing a sustainable headquarters for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Grontmij | Roger Preston & Partners was responsible for designing the base, engineering services and systems for the building.
Matthew Thurston, Director at Grontmij | Roger Preston & Partners, said "I am very pleased with the achievements at 7 More London Riverside and feel this recognition will influence developers and designers to highlight the importance of the building's environmental credentials. This has been a fully collaborative effort between us, BDP, Foster + Partners and MACE with the full support of our client More London Development Ltd and PwC, their tenant. The fact that 7 More London has also been awarded an 'A' rating Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which is the further testament to the sustainable credentials of this development."
Sustainable credentials
| Architect | : Foster + Partners |
| Area | : 535,000 ft2 |
| Site Area | : 80,000 ft2 |
| Capacity | : 4000 Occupants |
| Client | : More London Developments |
| Structural Engineers | : Arup |
| Services | : Roger Preston and Partners |
| Landscape Architect | : Robert Townshend |
| Lighting Design | : Speirs and Major Associates |
| Cost Consultant | : Davis Langdon / Mott Green Wall |
| Façade Access | : Reef |
| Main Contractor | : Mace Ltd |
| Tenant | : PricewaterhouseCoopers |
Structural Design and Façade
Visible from all sides, the building does not have an obvious 'front' or 'back', so particular consideration has been given to the façade in assuming a distinctive presence within the masterplan. The zig-zag facades screen the interiors but allow daylight to penetrate into the office floors. A sequence of external louvres animate the glazed facades, capturing and projecting light and colors inside and creating a sparkling effect on the building's outer skin.
To further maximise daylight and views, the building's symmetrical wings open towards the river to reveal the open circular drum at its core. Three curved bridges, at levels 2, 5 and 8, connect the two wings, while the southern elevation drops to 7 storeys to respect the height of the buildings along Tooley Street.
Escalators ascend to a mezzanine level with client meeting rooms and entertaining facilities, while a bank of lifts transport staff directly from ground level to the office floors. Two skylights illuminate the space and provide a focus for the circular landscaped terrace above, which forms one of several roof gardens. As well as a green roof on the lower southern elevation, the building incorporates a rubble roof to simulate a habitat that attracted birds during wartime London, but has since been displaced by modern development.
Mike Jelliffe, partner responsible at Foster + Partners, commented: "We are delighted that 7 More London Riverside has achieved the BREEAM 'Outstanding' rating and I congratulate the full team involved in the project. This is an excellent result - it is testament to the outstanding quality of the design; our highly successful collaboration with Roger Preston & Partners, Arup, MACE, BDP and a wide range of consultants; and the vision and support of More London Development and PricewaterhouseCoopers."
Kazakhstan’s New National Library in Astana
The Kazakh National Library will be the place of storing, organizing, distributing and creating new knowledge of the Kazakh culture. Both archive and museum, the National Library will be a place for work and study, as well as education and tourism. A place for progress and a place for pleasure.
BIG design for Kazakhstan's new national library was recently awarded the first prize in an open international design competition. The winning proposal was chosen by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Mr. K. Masimov together with Astana's akim I.Tasmagambetov and a council of architects. The design was hailed as being both modern and rational. Encompassing an estimated 33.000m2 of area the new building designed as a continuous circulation on a Möbius Strip, as the result of 2 interlocking structures: the perfect circle and the public spiral.
The new National Library named after the first President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, will be one of the cornerstones of Kazakh nation building, and a leading institution representing the Kazakh national identity. It will not only accumulate history but also project new features for the nation and its new capital. The new library will be an intellectual, multifunctional and cultural center with a primary goal of reflecting processes of establishment and development of sovereign Kazakhstan, its political history, popularization of life, and the Head of the State's activities and role in the development of the country.
Design
The design of the National Library combines four universal archetypes across space and time into a new national symbol: the circle, the rotunda, the arch and the yurt are merged into the form of a Mobius strip. The clarity of the circle, the courtyard of the rotunda, the gateway of the arch and the soft silhouette of the yurt are combined to create a new national monument appearing local and universal, contemporary and timeless, unique and archetypal at the same time.
The National Library will be the place where the citizens of Astana, the people of Kazakhstan as well as international visitors can come to explore the country's history and its diverse cultures. The Library will accommodate and communicate with all segments of the population: civil servants, politicians, researchers, students, museum historians and staff from other culture institutions, etc.
In the library, the archive is organized as a circular loop of knowledge, surrounded by light and air on both sides. On the periphery a 360 degree panorama of Astana - at the heart of the building a contemplative courtyard domed by the heavenly light blue of the celestial vault. The simplicity and perfection of the infinite circle allows for a crystal clear and intuitive orientation in the vast and growing collection that will populate the shelves of the National Library. The ideal addition to the perfect circle will be a series of public programs that simultaneously wraps the library on the outside as well as inside, above as well as below. Twisting the public program into a continuous spiraling path tracing the library on all sides, creates an architectural organization that combines the virtues of all 4 complimenting models. Like a Möbius strip, the public programs move seamlessly from the inside to the outside and from ground to the sky providing spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and growing city skyline.
Möbius Strip
The two interlocking structures: the perfect circle and the public spiral, create a building that transforms from a horizontal organization where library, museum and support functions are placed next to each other, to a vertical organization where they are stacked on top of each other through a diagonal organization combining vertical hierarchy, horizontal connectivity and diagonal view lines. By wrapping the transforming composition of spaces with a continuous skin a Möbius strip volume is created where the facades move from inside to outside and back again. Evoking associations to classic geometry as well as modern mathematics, classical forms such as the rotunda and the arch as well as the traditional yurt, the Möbius shape merges the local and the universal, the tradition and the future.
The program of the National Library of Kazakhstan is resolved through four intertwining systems:
1) An inner circular core containing the Presidential Library's collections of books, magazines and media
The inner circular core containing the Presidential Library's collections are divided into 42 parts corresponding to the number of letters in the Kazakh Cyrillic alphabet. The cylinder's three main decks are, in principle, one integrated space with internal circulation allowing for continuous and intuitive access to all the stored media. Open for any organisation: alphabetical, chronological or decimal the circular library combines maximum flexibility with maximum accessibility.
On all sides, inside and outside, the circular archive intersects with the public programs, reading rooms, study rooms, auditoriums, museum and administration making the library the programmatic as well as spatial heart of the institution.
2) A continuous spiral loop of supporting and additional functions orbiting the circular core
The looping spiral is divided in two separate systems. A continuous trajectory of supporting and additional functions such as auditoriums, reading rooms, research facilities, administrative offices, meeting and small conference rooms, a VIP section and the presidential venue. The intertwining spiral allows double high ceiling auditoriums and conference facilities. The stepping structure of the looping spiral provides optimal conditions for sloping auditoriums and combines continuous clarity with spatial variation.
| Project at Glance | |
| Project | : Astana National Library |
| Architect | : Big |
| Type | : Educational |
| Client | : Kazakhstan Presidential Office |
| Size | : 37.000 M2 |
| Collaborators | : ARUP AGU, Ramboll, PKK |
| Location | : Astana, Kazakhstan |
| Status | : Underconstruction |
| Completion Date | : 2012 |
| Partner-in-Charge | : Bjarke Ingels |
| Project Leader | : Thomas Christoffersen |
| Contributors | : Mitesh Dixit, Amy Campbell, Jakob Henke, Johan Cool, Jonas Barre, Daniel Sundlin, Armen Menendian, Pavel Lysikhin, Roza Matveeva, Stanley Lung, |
3) A protective skin wrapping the whole structure, creating a mediating space between inside and outside
The facade wrapping the entire structure is conceived as a double Möbius strip going from vertical to horizontal and back again. The complex skin is, in fact, a ruled surface structured in a very simple and repetitive way using straight sections and triangulated lattices. Photovoltaic tiles on the façade absorb energy from the sun while also providing passive shading. Additionally, air will naturally ventilate between the inner structure's interior space and the atrium's naturally regulated climatic comfort zone.
4) A concentric park of ecological systems representing the diversity of the Kazakh landscape and the capital's transition from Almaty to Astana
The National Library of cultural artifacts is situated in a geographical and living biological library of Kazakhstan's landscapes. A cross-section of the Kazakh terrain from south to north, connecting Almaty and Astana, forms the setting up of the building. Different vegetation and topographical elements ranging from the Altai Mountain region, Betpak-Dala Desert, and Balkhash Lake in the south, to the Sary-Arka steppes and coniferous forests in the north are distributed around the Library in a radial pattern. Circulation paths are strategically woven throughout to allow for pedestrian access from all edges of the site while also providing every visitor, whether arriving on foot or by car with complete exposure to the landscape's diversity. The downscaled mountainous terrain is integrated into the base of the building creating a natural canyon allowing access underneath the cantilevering façade. A visitor taking a tour of the National Library will not only experience the Presidential collection and get a prominent panorama of the new Capital but will also acquire a sense of the range of the Kazakh landscape, flora and fauna.
Pattern as climate screen
By using state-of-the-art technology and simulation capacity, the thermal exposure on the building envelope is calculated. Due to the warping and twisting geometry, the thermal imprint on the façade is continually varying in intensity. The thermal map ranging from blue to red reveals which zones do and do not need shading. By translating the climatic information into a façade pattern of varying openness a form of ecological ornament created that regulates the solar impact according to thermal requirements. The result is a contemporary interpretation of the traditional patterns and fabrics from the yurt. Both sustainable and beautiful.Structure
The spiral portion of the library is rectangular in section, made from transverse steel frames 15.5m in height and 14.5m in length. The frames are arranged radially around the spiral, and are linked by longitudinal beams at every corner. Where the cantilevered sections of spiral move past each other, they are linked by another braced frame to provide shear strength, creating a stiff radial slice.
Longitudinal beams span between the radial frames. The steel decking and concrete then form the composite floor slabs. Five concrete cores, spaced evenly around the spiral, provide lateral stability and reduce the length of the cantilevers. The three frames are tied together by a parallelogram-shaped frame. These radial frames are then linked together by diagonal beams to form the diagrid façade.
Façades
The façade shading design can be used to be a part of the artistic expression of the building envelope. Using knowledge of the annual sunpath the façade can be optimised to provide the maximum ambient light while protecting from direct solar radiation. The benefit of this means that the Library is kept in natural light, lighting energy is reduced, glare for occupants is minimised and solar loads are reduced.
Nashik Engineering College Library
A library building with glass façade looking East – For the Rising Sun…
The spacial architectural space represents openness, an unending curiosity, a place for open, free and unhindered interaction and debate. Further the library of an Engineering College should represent the spirit of engineering, display immaculate structural design and motivate engineering students to create unprecedented feats of Engineering and excel.
The Structure
The 65M. X 35M Wave Roof is resolved by a unique combination of 4-trusses and 6-wave girders supported with G.I. V-columns. Each girder is a composite box section made out of steel plates with tensile cables and varying depths as per the wind load and stresses. The unique combination of steel components: such as Wave Girders, Optimized trusses, V-columns resonating the rhythm and metal sheet cladding has resulted in a mass-less effect.
IBM Food Court Bangalore
What better way to refresh tired minds and bodies than to energise them with fresh air and light? This idea is the underlying concept of the design solution offered in response to the brief for the creation of a recreational food court building for the employees of IBM at Bangalore.
The Brief
The objective of the brief was to create a building of about 40,000 sqft. to house various multi-cuisine restaurants with requisite seating, cooking areas and auxiliary services. The structure was to be a lightweight and aesthetically designed one, which could be constructed at a fast pace. Energy efficiency and eco-sensitivity were to be considered bearing in mind the responsibility to address these issues.The Solution
Along the lines of the architectural and engineering requirements that the brief put forward many alternatives were presented. The solution that finally crystallized was in the form of a building with pre-fabricated components in structural steel along with lightweight new-age materials. A circular footprint with polar symmetry was conceived for its superior advantages in terms of industrial standardization. In aesthetic terms this translated as a soft streamlined form speaking a contemporary language – a structure that boldly displays the technology and materials it is created out of.Structure and Materials
Structural steel and lightweight roofing and façade materials have been put together with innovative joinery to create this technically sound building. The supports, connections and materials are honestly displayed and impart a beautiful modern aesthetic language to the structure.The prefabricated steel components have been designed and fabricated such that 80% of the total work involved in the construction was carried out at the workshop prior to the commencement of work on site. This meant savings in terms of on-site working time, control on accuracy and finish and optimisation of material and labor. All this directly links to cost efficiency.
The structure consists of 18 peripheral steel columns that support a peripheral ring beam. An internal ring beam that defines the central cut out is supported by 18 pre-stressed cables, which connect to the lowest level. There is no cross-supporting for the roof. Panels of pre-stressed P.V.C. membrane that have been seamed together stretch continuously between the two ring beams with an inward slope forming the roof cover. The roof is strong enough for a person to walk on it for maintenance purposes. The façade does not have typical walls and windows. Instead, P.V.C. mesh membrane panels are stretched like the sails of a ship using cables from the top level to the lower level. This mesh blocks the vision from the outside, but lets the people inside have a view of the outside. Over 70% of the periphery is in mesh and the balance is in glass and steel sheets. These materials are used for enclosing areas that needed privacy or insulation.
The main structure itself supports the floor and roof avoiding the need for a secondary or tertiary structure. The intermediate levels have castellated steel sections with steel chequered plate flooring. The design of the floor optimises the use of material and renders the flooring light, yet strong. The voids in the steel supports are used to pass service lines through.
Environmental impact
The environmental impact of the structure has been continuously considered and the technology, materials, and planning reflect this.The life span of the steel structure is about 50 years and that of the P.V.C. fabrics is about 30 years. All materials used are completely re-cyclable and the building itself can be dismantled and erected elsewhere. The circular design utilizes hoop stress effectively and minimizes sizes of supporting structural members thus saving on material. The detailed joinery involves minimal on site welding and saves time energy and labor. The super-efficient light materials used ensure that the dead weight of the structure is 20% of that of a regular structure.
The interiors require no daytime artificial lighting due to the translucent roof and mesh membrane facade. At night also the bounced off light minimizes lighting requirement. The need for artificial ventilation is also low due to the permeable mesh and central opening in the roof.
Conclusion
This building is an ingenuously designed structure that stands testimony to the merits of good design using steel and complementary materials. It makes a bold statement displaying beautifully its technology and giving its users a unique physical and aesthetic experience. The architectural and engineering aspects of the design keep in mind time and cost efficiency and also environmental impact. All in all it is a structure of outstanding meritorious features.
Voestalpine New Sales and Financial Centre, Austria
Paris based Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes' has erected the new Financial and Commercial Department of Voest Alpine Stahl GmbH in Linz, Austria. This new sale and financial centre and the existing building 'Blue Tower' together form the portal to the site of voestalpine: two mutually complementary structures as a symbolic representation of the complementary units of voestalpine.
The new building and the existing tower are in a dialogue that clearly defines the opposite of the vertical element of the blue tower to the horizontal shape of the new sales and financial center (VFZ). The wide overhang of the head of VFZ symbolizes the industrial ambitious claim of modern innovative and efficient company.
The entrance with gently sloping surface guides staff and visitors into the building with the addition of LEDs to light the way. Glass and steel are predominant offering transparency and strength across the 23,160 sq m built up area. The entrance of the blue tower is also renewed which is facing the new building.
Entrance
The main entrance to the sales and finance office lies, impossible to overlook below a daring cantilever that exploits steel's structural possibilities at the north-eastern end of the building. Here entirely glazed entrance hall focuses the attention of visitors from the steel reception desk on the one side to the impressive landscape of cranes, waste heaps, and chimneys on the other.
From here a panorama lift takes you to the meeting rooms, accessible to a wider public, that are located in this part of the building. In terms of number, size and fittings these rooms respond to the needs of the location Linz as a whole and are augmented by a terrace on the top floor, surrounded by glass walls and open to the sky, which offers exceptional views. All the rooms on the ground floor, which is clearly shaped as a plinth and has a delicately profiled glass façade, are also reserved for "public" functions such as the company's own travel agency, shops, library, documentation.
Structural Design
Transversally the building is divided in 3 zones: the lateral zones of the offices, a central zone serves for meetings, and Inner atriums.| At a Glance | |
| Location | : Austria |
| Client | : Voest Alpine Stahl gmbH A - 4020 linz |
| Start of construction | : 08 | 2007 |
| Completion | : 06 | 2009 |
| Architect | : Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes, |
| Floor area | : Office 17084 m² Livraison 1238 m² Parking 32260 m² |
| Cost | : 46 400 000 ð HT |
| Photographer | : Josef Pausch |
Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes display the steel construction – columns and open web beams, as well as the concrete of the ceiling slabs. The building services which run only above the corridors can be made out behind their expanded metal cladding. The discipline that this demanded in both design and execution adds a further level of quiet elegance to the overall impression, something that, unfortunately, one can often look for in vain in many a palatial office block.
In addition, the new centre provides a generous open public space covering a one storey parking deck. The spacious garden creates a designed outdoor area for employees and visitors of the company: a sequence of green fields, wooden decks, paved and planted areas structured by patios.
Materials used
The building is designed as a steel structure: Steel frames distanced by 10m50 carry a concrete slab. The columns are in the centre of the building, the side areas are carried by cantilever beams. This configuration offers a large flexibility for office division. The concrete slabs are kept visible. They provide the mass necessary for thermal comfort. An integrated steel truss allows the free cantilever in the front of the building.
The facade
The façade is largely transparent providing sufficient natural light for the 20m50 wide building. Opaque horizontally sliding openings allow natural ventilation. Shading is assured by motorized steel elements made of a golden coloured steel mesh.
Desert Butterfly
Designed for Al Majan, off Emirates Road, Dubai, The Desert Butterfly is a unique project developed by architectural firm Steelman Partners after having keen observation on the forms and patterns of butterflies.
The project is a unique and luxurious, thirty-seven story, 5-Star hotel; consisting of a single tower with a variety of hotel rooms (single, double, suites, etc.), a grand lobby, a ballroom with separate drop-off, all day dining, feature restaurants, meeting rooms, a pool with gym and spa, a bar / pub, main kitchen, administration offices, hotel back-of-the-house, and three basements of parking for guests, staff, and services.
Design
The design was inspired by the magnificence of a butterfly. The root idea for the lobby ceiling sculpture of The Desert Butterfly developed from observing forms and patterns of several butterfly wings, and cocoons. From that base, the ceiling sculpture steadily matured into its own iconic personality and took flight. A nature-based, intuitive and artistic sense steered the design, with broad strokes creating fluid form. An organic figure developed…the expression of a wing in flight was liberated. How wings glide through the wind and are touched by light had a natural influence on the structures' silhouette.
| Location | : Al Majan, off Emirates Road in Dubai |
| Built up area | : 70,000 SM |
| Client | : Al Hamad Engineering Company, Dubai |
| Cost | : $116,000,000 US DOLLARS |
| Status | : Designed. Construction started then stalled due to the economy and the status of Dubailand |
| Architect | : Steelman Partners |
The exterior design utilizes a multi– layered skin that includes a glazing system with ceramic frits to reduce and control light and heat penetration. A B. Louvre system provides a secondary shading device. In addition, a C. Ribs holding tertiary system of scales is employed to further filter undesirable environmental factors. Through this multi–layered skin system, the building can adjust and adapt to harsh environmental aspects of site and location. Optimal light levels can also be adjusted and allowed in as desired. The skin system also houses and supports nightly light shows that transform the structure through slow changes in illumination intensity and hues - bringing the casing to life and metamorphosizing before spectators' eyes.
Distinctive Features
Each of the restaurants provides distinctive offerings to the guests. The Italian dining facility is modern, with unexpected details that play off of the art and movement in the interior. The exposed, all-stainless steel chef kitchen magnifies the dynamic space by bringing the dining experience to a more interactive-level. The Steakhouse design is inspired by the Arabian moon-lit sky. Textures and movement reflected in the walls and throughout the ceiling pay homage to the fluid and graceful nighttime atmosphere and ethereal glow of the moon. The Asian restaurant brings the concept of Tokyo and Hong Kong's bright lights and billboard skyline into the space through the dynamic LED ceiling, creating a unique dining style all its' own. The 3 meal dining option offers a melting pot of cultures cradled into a timeless and simple design that captures the effortlessness and harmony envisioned by its clean lines and crisp textures.
The Mediterranean restaurant is designed in white on white with a splash of tan. Moved by the desert tan cliffs and white terrace homes on the Mediterranean coast, the design creates an open and airy nostalgia as it relates to the serene pool deck just outside. Lastly, the black on black nightclub is the cocoon - textured in a metal pattern of the butterfly. The design touches on the contrasting nature of enclosed space within a larger whole through the nesting of the VIP pods and entertainment spaces.
247 Park-Sets New Standards for Green Buildings
247 Park, a New Age business destination in Mumbai has recently received the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for its Green Building design.
Located in the heart of the upcoming IT corridor on LBS Marg, Vikhroli (West) in Mumbai which has become the preferred destination for major corporate houses, the 247 Park® comprises a total of 18 lakh square feet of built-up space stretching over three towers. Designed by Chennai based architectural firm C. R. Narayana Rao and Associates and developed by HCC Real Estate Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of HCC, the 247Park® has become India's largest stand-alone Green Building with the largest combined floor plate of one lac sqft of high end office space.
LEED Gold Certification
The 247Park® has received an occupation certificate from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and also recently received LEED Gold certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for being a green building adhering to all stipulated efficiency and quality norms incorporated for energy usage, intelligent lighting, water management, indoor environment and materials and resource usage while adopting an innovative design and processes.
The LEED Gold certification has been established by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The certification, which adopts the most stringent criteria and rigorous evaluation methods, is the world's foremost recognition of environment-friendly constructions. By using less energy and water, LEED certified green buildings save money (for tax-payers and for their families as much as for businesses), reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier environs for residents, workers and the larger community living in its vicinity.
The advanced standards of 247Park optimise comfort and utility thereby making it one of the most environment-friendly buildings in Mumbai and the largest stand-alone commercial complex in India to be awarded this prestigious gold certification. 247Park is equipped to fully recycle all waste materials. "The systems installed will ensure that it will consume 24% less energy as compared to the conventional designs."
Green Designs
The 247 Park building is well connected by road and rail - 1.5 km from Vikhroli and 0.5 km from Kanjurmarg suburban Railway Station and 2 km from the proposed Metro Rail station at Ghatkopar. It is also easily accessible from the domestic airport (12 kms) and international airport (15 km) as well.The 65 meters tall complex also houses a helipad on its roof top. The exteriors of the building are developed using double glazed fenestration oriented methods with inert gas filling to eliminate sound pollution, minimize heat gain and maximize day-light from the windows to reduce power consumption by up to 25%.
It also uses top-of-the-line Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) technology for sewage treatment. This technology reduces the frequent maintenance of the plant. The water is recycled, brought to almost potable grade and used for chillers and landscaping. Thus this is the first commercial complex with zero discharge–which means that this complex does not require any drainage system connection from MCGM line for sewage disposal. The treated solid waste is the only disposable material that will be collected by MCGM on regular basis. It also has a storm water management, rain water harvesting and an independent utility building providing the required backup support to the entire complex. Effective separation of dry and wet garbage has been done to facilitate recycling of dry garbage and on-site composting of wet garbage which would be used in the landscaping.
The complex is divided into three towers, with the central tower housing 14 floors of office space and the two adjoining towers housing twelve floors each of office space. The complex has intrusion-free separate access to the office areas with 25 lifts leading right up to the corporate section. In the retail section, there are two floors dedicated to high-end, home store shopping and three levels of covered car parking that accommodates over 1200 cars. The retail section is equipped with escalators, travelators, scenic lifts and separate goods lift for quick and easy movement of goods and customers. Special ramps have been provided to ease the entry and exit for the physically challenged visitors in the corporate office and retail sections.
Tailor-made to the needs of its discerning customers, the 247Park® has also been equipped with a gymnasium, business centre and conference facilities, separate drop– off points for office and retail vehicular and pedestrian traffic, banks and ATMs, high-end restaurants and a 24/7 food court with exclusive terraces. Contemporary surveillance and security measures include round the clock CCTV surveillance in key areas including the car park and common areas. The entire complex has been equipped with state-of-the-art fire detection, alarm and fire fighting systems. The security system is enhanced by a unique car-scanning facility installed at the main entrance which would raise the alarm in case of the presence of explosives and also collect the data such as driver's face, number plate in a flash without having to form large queues of vehicles.
Damilanostudio Architects and B-House
Practise Damilanostudio Architects is named after its founder Duilio Damilano who moved from the Polytechnic of Turin to Milan, in order to attend a workshop by Daniel Libeskind, where he has developed the concept of architectural research directed towards the concreteness of space.
| B-House | |
| Location | Cuneo, Piemonte, Italy |
| Project type | Residential house |
| Status of the project | Completed |
| Team project | Diamilanostudio Architects |
| Architect | Duilio Damilano + Claudia Allinio |
| Structural Design of the project | Arch. Massimo Aimar |
| Photographer | Andrea Martiradonna |
| Surface area | 1080 sqm |
| Surface building | 355 sqm |
| Yea of Completion | 2008 |
After graduating he began his professional career as an Associate and in 1990 he opened the Damilano Studio. Over the years his work has developed, through collaborations with artists and designers, into new architectural paths. Major areas of interest of Damilano Studio are the design of residential buildings, offices and commercial and receptive structures, both in Italy and abroad. Currently, he is working in collaboration with the architects Claudia Allinio, Alberto Pascale, Corrado Tesio and Jessica Pignatta.
Located in Cuneo, Italy, Damilano builds this Italian white house on the hillside to enjoy the landscape of the Piedmont. An open front characterizes B-HOUSE, a refuge without secret where inhabitants are offered views of the landscape from the mountains. The house extends horizontally with a row of premises that end up with the kitchen, real field glasses pointed to the village. In opposite directions, this house develops northwards with the body of the rooms more intimate and intimist and southward with the swimming pool, a wide sheet of water, reflections and light.
Sustainable Features
- Structure in brick-cement
- Installation of floor heating with accumulating and condensing boiler model ATAG (27000 Kg/cal)
- Exterior wall: double course (interior course portion 20 cm, air space 10 cm which is placed on board insulation made with 4 + 4 cm wool glass density 40 kg/m3, exterior course brick thickness 12 cm);
- Production of hot water with solar thermal vacuum tube "termomax"
- Low emissivity glass [k<2] glass 4+4mm, air space 15 mm, glass 4+4 mm
- Dehumidifying Plaster
Building Materials used:
- Exterior floor: Indian grey stone
- Interior floor in the living room white: Taxsos
- Wall paneling in the living room: Forest Brown
- Interior and exterior wood floor: teak
National Council For Applied Economic Research
| At a Glance | |
| Project | : NCAER |
| Location | : New Delhi, India |
| Area | : 132,015 sq.ft |
| Achitect | : vir.mueller architects |
The location of the campus on the banks of the Yamuna River give it an unparalleled vantage point close to the centres of India's executive and parliamentary power, its judiciary, its major national newspapers, and New Delhi's central commercial area of Connaught Place.
The new NCAER campus will be a GRIHA certified 'Green Building' with ecologically conscious design strategies in place. The building orients the open office spaces towards the North and East, thereby optimizing solar performance and urban views. The service zones are located towards the West, acting as thermal buffers. The use of recessed windows with insulated glazing systems provides protection from direct sun and glare.
The entire workspace is naturally daylit; the use of automatic sensors to control lighting helps further maximize energy efficiency. The building envelope, and glazing systems comply with ECBC norms. The renovation of the existing building retains the existing structural system. The use of Solar Photo Voltaics shall generate renewable energy. The landscaping strategy retains existing trees on the site.
Swarajya Bungalow by Sunil Patil
| At a Glance | |
| Project | : Swarajya Bungalow |
| Location | : Pune, India |
| Area | : 335.42 sq.mtr |
| Achitect | : Sunil Patil & Associates |
Normally, We do not like to go for G+2 floors in a house but restrict it in just Ground + one floor as it has an instant cosiness, a sense of a home, forges interaction between family members and is human in scale. Yet as the plot area was of 335.42 sq mts, it compelled to keep the design a ground plus two storey home as the client required a spacious home for three generations of family members.
It was a typical assignment for an urban client- the plot was small and requirements were significant. The client needed a four bedroom home-a bedroom for the grandparents on the ground floor for easy access, a master bedroom and a bedroom each for their sons, along with formal and informal living spaces including home theatre space and gym spaces; and terraces to enjoy the outdoors. So the design was kept vertical, and with this came the challenges of creating the interactive spaces between three levels, and a feel of a bungalow."
Given the need to design two higher levels, the primary concern was the residence with a built up area of 328.87 sq mts that left a narrow space around the structure, should not appear like a solid heavy uninviting mass. Hence, the terraces were designed not only to cater to their functional need of open air outdoor seating but also to create the interesting cut outs in the solid facade creating excellent compositions of solids and voids. The railing designed with plane glass,added to the purpose.
Formal living room is designed in the heart of the home with a double height that instantly gives it a sense of space and connects it with the spaces around and the floors above. Around this space is an informal living room on a slightly raised platform with wooden flooring set in a niche; the kitchen; dining area; utility and storage areas; and the stairs leading to the basement and floors above. Each of these areas is a part of the whole with minimum walls dividing them.
White walls, grey stone cladding on the wall adjoining the informal living space that complements the grey flooring, white kitchen cabinets with an unusual black dado which is designed unconventionally with aluminum composite panel, large glass doors that lead to the greenery outdoors and bring in light and breeze enhance the sense of space. There are no higher level cabinets in the kitchen. A platform which flows through the end of a wall of the kitchen to the living forms a partition and serves multiple purposes by creating space for keeping cookery and being part of the interiors as well. The kitchen has been designed in a highly contemporary style with the black and white theme.
The first level has the master bedroom, one of their son's room, the home theatre area and a spacious terrace with lovely flowering plants. Both the bedrooms have simple neat furniture in the form of low built-in beds with headboards, and long low units that double up as storage, seating or display spaces, walk-in closet space adjoining the bathrooms for convenience of dressing. The headboard of bed runs the length of the bed curves up and down to morph into a seating space facing a television; yet if relaxing on the bed, the backrest of the seating area does not obstruct the view.
The family-cum-home theatre space, a matrix of grey and white with subdued lighting of spot lights or natural lights adjusted through broad blinds is a peaceful private spot to watch a film or simply relax. Blinds–rather than fabric curtains-give a contemporary look to a space and also offer the option of different light effects as they can be opened or closed as per the requirement. A set of narrow wooden bands run on the wall behind the screen and then cross to form geometrical patterns on the ceiling adding a touch of interest.
The higher level has the other sons room once again with a built-in bed yet with a patterned headboard and a walk-in closet. There is also a spacious recreational space for a gym or indoor games with an adjoining terrace; this space also has a small work surface and cabinet for the client to study cases in the quiet of the night. Different shades of veneer have been used in different rooms to give each one a slightly different look, yet one veneer throughout one room to keep the design simple and easy.
RyeWood International School
| Project Info | |
| Site | : Lonavala, Maharashtra, India |
| Site Area | : 20,678 Sq M |
| Project Area | : 6500 Sqm |
| Phase | : Built |
| Architects | : NU.DE Architects |
Within this context an attempt to reconstitute the functions of volume, enclosure and interfacing by means of ribd, voids, decks and varying light-conditions have been made. The vertical fin elements also act as solar shading devices particularly along the southern facade.
The sequencing of spaces withdraws the realm of familiarity and habitual patterns of behaviour that one would normally associate its inhabitants to fall into. Instead the students are confronted with an abstract composition that needs to be discovered and explored in varying degrees of space-time pedagogical related constructs. The sense of adventure, dynamism and the inherent spirit of exploration and discovery amongst children is harboured within the 'playful' and 'dynamic' striated skin of the building.
Fun Republic Mall Coimbatore
| At a Glance | |
| Project | : Fun Republic, Coimbatore |
| Client | : E-City Projects, Mumbai |
| Architect | : Arris Architects |
Project Challenge
Architecture should always draw references from its surroundings, and that we believe can be the best way to make the design more 'inclusive' rather than 'intrusive'. Coimbatore, always a flourishing town from South India, is pre-dominantly famous for textile industries. Proximity to Madurai makes it renowned for locally sourced stone. The design team was very deliberate in making material choices for the design decisions closest to the source of origin & inspiration. The opaque masses of the mall are expressed like stone boulders. Crisp massing and expression of bold lines, is the usp of design features for FR Coimbatore. But having said that, the challenges posed by tight site and its irregular depths, also had to be aesthetically addressed.The mall planning & circulation being of primary importance, an offset entrance was derived, after positioning anchors like shopper stop etc. Since the concept of vanilla shops was ever evolving, a strip of shops was arranged effectively around the anchor & its opposite sides. External entry to the anchor was denied with the intention to have free flowing footfalls in the interiors. The atrium core & vertical transit mediums are arranged around the offset entry, making the skylight highlight of the design elements. Flood of light from the skylight pours in the retail facades making them show off their merchandise against the neutral palate of mall interiors. The contrast thus achieved does not compete with the merchandise instead aids it. The visual connectivity is achieved through simple straight forward lines of sight & circulation. The mall has two cross entries aligned with the anchors, one at ground level and the other at podium level. Thus the two circulation bays are well equipped to receive the desired footfalls.
Solution
The opaque masses of the mall are expressed like stone boulders. Spaced with glass strips this got modified to painted walls due to lack of appropriate funds. Clarity of Expression is an USP for a mall to work well and that is a characteristic feature of all mall designs by Arris. Visual connectivity is achieved through simple straight forward lines of shop fronts and atrium edges. Arris has always been particular with mall economics and hence a detailed study of tenant types and their percentage of shop area were worked out, to achieve best results for the owner and the patrons, both. Their signature entrances, one at ground level and other directly at podium, both catering to anchor tenants, facilitate circulation and adequate footfalls to the mall. To avoid haphazard signanges, a central band inside the mall provides sellable signage space on all three sides.
Result
The functional aspect of the mall is of utmost importance and hence the type of tenant mix, which generates and controls mall economics, is worked out and thus designed for. Then the longetivity and the performance of the mall, in terms of design & logistics, is both a researched outcome.Fun Cinemas inside Mall
Challenge
Coimbatore was one of the few properties where we had the luxury of having a good sized concession. It surrounded the central atrium of the mall and derives natural light from the same. This meant reduction on load of lighting. There were no difficulties in terms of structure of space in this property, which in fact posed as a challenge as there was no starting point. This was purely designing from scratch.
Solution
Arris Architects main inspiration was the natural light coming from dome on the atrium. They started imagining a landscape set in its natural form. A landscape with sun, clouds & trees and wanted to design something by taking elements from nature. The firm started to co-relate both experiences to each other and started working on the form.Result:
A central column is depicted as a tree with seating around it, similar traditional Chowthara around it. Tree form also resembles petals of a flower which gives it an ethnic and Indian character. Tree branches extend in the ceiling which divides the ceiling in different plateaus in stark white tone, each as if floating in midair, depicting the idea of clouds. Materials of the central tree are earthy, with browns, bronze & golden shades adding the homely feel to the form. Walls are cladded in ITA Gold stone which depict a terrain character. Leafing pattern on walls done in steel rims and mirror add glitter and life to the space.Lotus pattern of the tree radiates on the floor as well in form of inlays. Flooring of Kashmir white with black granite inlays. Tree branches come down to form entrance niches for auditoriums.
Contemporary Villa, Hyderabad
| At a Glance | |
| Project | : Contemporary Villa |
| Location | : Hyderabad, India |
| Area | : 40,000 sqft |
| Achitect | : ZZ Architects |
This 6-bedroom villa is built over 4 floors and is contemporary in style. Furniture and fittings have been sourced mainly from Europe to ensure a final project truly global and of international standards. Apart from the regular requirements in a villa, this home also has dedicated spaces such as luxurious pool deck, a games room, home spa, multipurpose gym, a lounge bar including a private area for playing cards, state of the art high end home theatre and a landscaped party terrace making this a private haven.
Design Concept
The central theme was to design a lavish home that not only relates to the physical dynamism of the space but also to mental sense of peace. The client desired a space that would reflect his sense of style with meticulous attention to detail and quality of the fit and finish. The home had to create a balance of all the vignettes in his life and assure a bespoke space for him.The strength of the architectural spaces clearly defines the interior spaces with internal courtyards, decks for bedrooms, the swimming pool with the landscaped deck that overflow the nature into the indoor spaces. At any level externally the connected feel of layered terraces receding in profile give the end user an eloquently special feel while using indoor spaces. Every architectural feature melds in to form one congruous whole while retaining its identity as a work of art.
The central theme of design of interiors was to keep the tones in white yet have a warm feel to the space. There are less objects and spaced out furniture, less contrast and a layering of textures in subtle colours.
Key Design Elements
- The main living has a 25ft high architecturally designed volumetric space that overlooks the private landscaped area. The living space also culminates as a gathering for business friends and to entertain a large number of guests. The demarcation of the layout into different seating zones for practical purposes makes it usable throughout the day. The space is magnified by the light and shadow play from the specially customized large scaled windows along the periphery.
- The infinity pool is enjoyed by all at the master level as it is overlooked from the private lounge and casual seating zones. The swimming deck exudes a youth and warm glow in the soft evening sunset.
- The design of master bedroom evokes calmness and tranquility, and showcases the personality of the end user. The master bedroom is separated from the lounge by a double height courtyard which has a water cascade that gushes through a stone clad wall giving it a sound of natural harmony. The courtyard has a skylight that filters in light into the master spaces.
- The gym and spa are located on the guest floor with a lounge dedicated to the guests. It also has an attached deck and shares the courtyard vertically with the master space.
- When the inhabitants are done enjoying the stunning skyline from the infinity pool, evenings can be whiled away in the home theatre that holds seating for 16 people. The home theatre is planned at the guest level. The meticulously planned home theatre simply takes the movie experience to another level.
Entwined with technology and design, this villa is one of the bespoke design spaces ZZ Architects is proud to have designed.
Chettinad Health City Auditorium
The project brief entailed the fitting-out and interiors of an auditorium facility for Chettinad Health city, to be used as part of the medical institute. The auditorium facility has been designed to cater to a diverse activities such as stage performances, lectures or seminars, projection of recorded medical information web-casts & broadcasts etc. Conventionally, auditoriums are perceived as simple, monolithic, box-like structures lined with internal acoustic paneling. The design intent was to shift away from the typical morphology in order to create a more visually dynamic space.
| At a Glance | |
| Project Name | : Chettinad Health City Auditorium |
| Location | : Chennai |
| Size | : 59,400 sq.ft |
| Design Company | : Morphogenesis |
To break away from the monotony of an unadorned environment of typical auditoriums, contemporary forms were used as insertions to create continuous surfaces which were conceived to be in the form of lines and planes that extended from the floor, to the wall and wrapped through the ceiling, thus visually connecting the three surfaces. Hence, the entire structure with the ceilings, walls and the floor of the auditorium gives a vision of being one whole surface. One enters the vast expanse of foyer spaces that are broken through geometric patterns. A similar pattern is reflected on the ceiling in multiple layers to endow the space with a sensation of enclosure and to reflect the dynamism similar to that which is shaped by the ceiling of the auditorium. The strong lines of the planes are illuminated by cove lighting and recessed light fixtures ensure that the purity of the forms and materials is accentuated, whilst enhancing visual drama within the space. The auditorium was envisaged using a similar approach, the three-dimensional geometric pattern to run through fabric-mounted, acoustical wall and ceiling panels, eventually creating a Three-dimensional envelope for the auditorium space. Wooden Slots devised as portals, were shaped as insertions within the wall to house HVAC, Lighting, audio-visual equipment and Acoustic services. To augment the randomness of the false ceiling, recesses clad in wood were used to puncture the ceiling. Materiality and palette is restrained, in order to let the continuity of the surfaces be perceived.
Bombay Arts Society, Mumbai, India
| At a Glance | |
| Project | : Bombay Art Society |
| Location | : Mumbai, India |
| Achitect | : Sanjay Puri Architects |
Within an extremely small plot measuring only 1300 sq. mts, a mixed use building programme based on the clients needs had to be adhered to.
Art gallery spaces, an auditorium, a cafeteria and artists rooms had to be planned within 1000 sq.mt and another 1000 sq.mt of office spaces were to be provided for, each with separate entrances.
Fluid spaces across the three lower levels, house the art gallery spaces and their allied functions with walls flowing into roofs homogenously. The fluidity of form seen externally, with a concrete skin encapsulating spaces while undulating in both the horizontal and vertical planes, is carried through to the interior volumes making the entire experience as that of moving through a sculpture.
A separate entrance lobby at the rear corner leads one up vertically into a four level office space that is angled to allow the offices unrestricted views of the ocean in the distance.
The office spaces are encapsulated in a concrete skin punctuated volume with floor to ceiling glass panels in the direction of the sea.
Thus within this small 1300 sq.mt plot two distinct set of spaces are created, each with its own discernible identity and yet enmeshed together to create a uniquely sculptural building.
Suzlon One Earth, Pune
The Suzlon One Earth campus is a unique corporate headquarter spread over 10 acres of land in Hadapsar, Pune, India. The place was conceived with a business and functional need to bring all business verticals and corporate services under one roof, which although linked to each other would be independent enough to be able to perform as per their respective needs and requirements.
| At a Glance | |
| Project | : Suzlon One Earth Global Corporate Headquarters |
| Location | : Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Site area | : 4,53,930 square feet (10.4 acre) |
| Achitect | : Prof. Christopher Benninger |
Suzlon One Earth derives its inspiration from large Indian historical campuses like Fatehpur Sikri and the Meenakshi Temple complex in Madurai. It is the need of the hour that architecture should borrow elements of critical rationalism, with over hangs, louvers, pergolas, courtyards, water and natural light permeation.
Drawing clues from vernacular architecture, while respecting nature and culture, this sustainable and efficient design provides 75% of the work stations with daylight and external views, allowing inhabitants to enjoy seasons, weather conditions and to connect with the time of the day.
The design process started with a premise of creating a central gathering space, or Brahmasthan, with the sky as its ceiling! It was conceived as a "secret internal garden" that gifts an exclusive and unique feel to the campus. There is visual access to the large central gardens from everywhere. There is a sense of connection between the various kinds of spaces right from the underground entries vide the sunlight that descends there from the Sky Courts and the Glass Cylinders and the vegetation that flows from these elements, up through the cylinders into the main circulation nodes of the building. They act as visual connectors between all floors and allow aeration of the basement parking area.
The Deepa Stambh is set in the centre of the Suzlon reflecting pool. The pool rests at the basement level, wherein all of the cafeteria and the dining room open onto the water. In the background, these see a cascade of water falls, flying down three levels of tiers, with traditional step-like objects giving rhythm to the backdrop. A long water basin feeds the water falls through a pumping system. The lineal basin links the Brahmasthal to a fountain toward the east. These auspicious components protect the campus from unwanted influences and create a central focus and landmark. They bring very Indian features within a very global, high-tech ambiance. Large water body in the central court helps in improving the air quality and for evaporative cooling. All the external landscape areas are brought into the indoors along the perimeter of the building bringing fresh air, nature and natural light into the work areas so as to improve productivity of occupants. This central garden plaza encourages communication, interaction and innovation among the 2300 colleagues and provides a stunning aesthetic presentation for visitors.
In the Wind Lounge, there is a very traditional Indian Chowk here, with kund-like steps leading into a water pool shaded by photovoltaic panels allowing filtered light in, as if through an ancient jaali.
Aluminum louvers act as a protective skin allowing daylight and cross ventilation. All areas have operable fenestration allowing natural air and ventilation when possible. These strategies resulted in lower, thinner and longer building shapes that increase the ratio of fenestration to volume, enhancing natural light and ventilation in a hot and dry climatic conditions.
The building employs a complex building management systems. Lighting of individual offices is controlled by combined daylight and occupancy sensors. Sixty five percent of energy is saved by use of LED outdoor light systems in comparison to conventional scheme. Thirty to 40% reduction in operating cost, due to energy savings and water savings at 30%.
The Goa Institute of Management
The Goa Institute of Management (GIM) was conceived as a 'state of the art' facility for Management students. The site is a 50 acre contoured plot surrounded by undulating hills and valley views.
The clusters of built forms on the site respond to the organisation in the Masterplan and the lay of the land. The buildings are contemporary structures that are detailed with fenestrations and punctures that frame vistas. The complex was planned along two axes pointing to the cardinal directions at the crossing which is located in the main academic block. The central plaza within this block leads to the Library and cafe in the west, the hostels in the north and the multi-purpose hall in the east. The faculty housing is located to the north of the multi-purpose hall on a hillock.
| At a Glance | |
| Project | : Goa Institute of Management |
| Location | : Goa, India |
| Achitect | : Somaya and Kalappa Consultants |
Differences of levels and changes in textures distinguish spaces, while vertical planes with voids define them. The individual buildings have been designed with cavity walls and deep overhangs to reduce the heat gain and also provide protection during the heavy monsoon. Laterite, the naturally occurring stone in this region and abundant on the site itself, was used extensively as wall fillers, soling and cladding.
