Client Vision & Requirement

When the officials of Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan project approached Architect Harish Tripathi & Associates, it was their requirement that the office must be able to cater to the needs of the people who visit regarding their PF related issues and to provide ideal working conditions and environment for the employees.

Besides these, the building had to cater to the needs of security, privacy, hierarchy of usages with modern office management systems and planning. It had to be a green building which uses maximum natural light and ventilation with a win- win situation for all the user groups. The EPFO wanted to provide a courtyard in the center of the building (Brahmsthan) to facilitate maximum light and ventilation. Moreover, the office building had to be designed in such a way that it caters to future requirement and has all the flexibilities in the usage pattern. In this view the building was designed with no fixed partitions inside. Last but not the least, the client's ever increasing storage needs had to be catered with modular and efficient storages system near the work places.

The Structural Design

The Planning Concepts and Structural Design have been done by the architectural firm through its Structural Engineer Mr Anil Shukla. Based on the client's requirement, the firm has designed a 6 story Building including lower ground floor which is utilized for Parking. The front has a setback of 12 m. This is utilized for driveway as well as landscape area. The side setbacks are of 6.74m. Ramps have been provided on both sides of setbacks to connect front upper part to rear lower part. The rear setback of 11.35 meters is utilized for parking as well as services.

The Ground floor has a Main entrance and a Public dealing hall. First, Second and third floors have various offices. The top floor had to be utilized as Guest house for visiting officials of the organization.


The plan of the building is a juxtaposition of 3 rectangles. Thus, with all the rectangles the grand rectangle of the office block is complete. The first rectangle is the front service core which houses staircase, lift, lift lobby and toilets. The Second Rectangle is the main office Hall which has only two columns in it thus providing a lot of flexibility in internal designing. The third rectangle has a fire staircase and public toilets.

This juxtaposition leaves two more rectangles; one at the front and other at the back to complete the grand rectangle. The front rectangle is used as a huge arrival area which acts as a podium. The entire arrangement increases the volume, light, and ventilation of the building.

The planning and the structural system have been integrated in such a way that they derive maximum benefit out of each other. The service cores at the front and back require less spans hence more number of columns are provided in those areas, whereas the hall area has only two columns in it. This provides maximum utilization of the space without compromising with the economy of the structural system.


With large spans also due to its arrangements, the economy of the structures was achieved. The challenge has been to provide sleek 18 m height column in the front supporting sleek RCC pergolas at the top level in the front as well as back. The structural system and designs were vetted by The Dean Civil Engineering Department, Jamia Millia Islamia (University) New Delhi.

Aesthetics & Ambience

The Architectural Style has been kept contemporary with straight and simple lines to project a changed progressive imaging of the EPFO. The monumentality in the building has been added by providing huge column in the front and back. Also, most of the features including boxes all around add to the verticality in the building.

In spite of being a public building, special care has been taken to incorporate VASTU elements considering the sentiments of the users as well as overall benefit derived from them.

The aim of the design was to provide a green building which utilizes maximum natural light and ventilation from all the directions depending on seasons and sun movements. Various arrangements in the form of Projections, Pergolas have been done to cut direct sun in the building. The structural glazing has been provided strategically to enhance the aesthetics of the building.

The ACP cladding has been done to provide a permanent finish to the structure. The cladding acts as Insulating layer all around the building thus decreasing the heat gain and reducing overall energy consumption in the form of electricity.

The efficient water management has been done in the building. Rain water harvesting system has been provided in the campus to recharge the rain water. No high energy consumption material has been utilized in the campus adhering to Green Building Guidelines.

The colour scheme of the building has been kept the same, which was recently approved by EPFO headquarters for all offices throughout India. All these add to the ambience of the building and give the building a decent look.

Economy in Construction

The economy in construction was achieved through best management practices. The Material Management and Procurement was centralized and the construction agency (U.P. Jal Nigam) got best rates due to their excellent payment plans and financial capacity.


The time management had also been a key feature. The project was completed 'Before Time,' therefore it could control all kinds of leakages in costing. Although, the overall cost index increased tremendously, the team could finish the project at the same cost due to their time management and excellent project planning.

The fund management and fund flow of EPFO has been excellent, which enabled the construction agency to go for commitments in the material managements hence they could achieve economy in construction.

All the architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing and fire fighting drawings, designs, client approval, and government approvals were ready in advance so that there was no delay in work due to this reason. Hence, the project had a very smooth run which resulted in timely completion and economical construction.

Designed by Chaney Architects, Ruby Hall Clinic is an iconic healthcare project in Pune where ambience created is spiritual and comfortable that alleviates the spirit of the patient.

At a Glance
Project & location:	Ruby Hall Clinic, Wanowrie, Pune
Architect:	Chaney Architects , Pune
Client:	Grant Medical Foundation
Design team:	I. Chaney, N. Sapre, I. Murlidhar, S. Paithankar, Alka Setty
Consultants:	R.S.Kulkarni (ACMV), Abhiyanta (Electrical), E.C.P.H.C.P.L ( Public Health), Shishir Kulkarni and Associates (Structural)
Contractors:	Bharucha & Motivala (POONA) PVT.LTD. (Civil work), Padam Interiors (Interior work)
Built-up area:	135,000 sq.ft.
Cost of project:	Rs.85 crores (approx.)
Year of completion:	2012

It is no longer enough for a hospital to be functional only as the trend is changing and it is believed that thoughtful architecture and a beautiful environment support the healing process. The uncomfortable situation of having to be in a hospital meant to change with as much normalcy as possible so that despite their illness, patients should feel good and comfortable in the building.

Since its inception, Ruby Hall Clinic has established itself as one of India's most advanced hospitals comparable to the best in the world. It has state-of-the-art facilities in Cardiology, Neurology, Nuclear Science Center, Diagnostic Center, Intensive Care Units, a Blood Bank and Cancer Centre.

Ruby Hall Clinic has now constructed yet another healthcare facility located in Wanowrie. The areas of Wanowrie, Kondhwa, Lullanagar and Fatima Nagar have been Pune's recently developed residential areas. Wanowrie is developed as an exclusive enclave for the elite in the southeastern part of the city.

The hospital as conceived, meets the functional requirements of a high-tech medical facility while creating a healing and emotionally reassuring environment. The 130 bed hospital, exploits a number of environmental aspects and functions as a satellite hospital of the main hospital. It incorporates facilities like 3 operating theatres, blood bank, physiotherapy department, chemotherapy, dialysis, cath lab, ICU's, OPD's, dietary services and a healing garden.


The building design and distinctive profile are guided by a number of factors, including the narrow site, the need for large open floor plates and perfect planning that simplify the circulation of varied users in the hospital.


Two distinct parts of the building are the entrance atrium in glass and solid floor plates. The tall glazed atrium provides visual connectivity while the solid floor plates balance the building visually. There are two basements designed for parking and other services. The upper level basement has CSSD, dietary facilities and AC plant, while the lower basement is reserved for maintenance services and parking.

The interiors are designed to international standards. Sophisticated materials such as glass and steel used in the building are a break-free of the distressing feel usually attached to a hospital.

The design is visualized in bright and soothing colors with the concept as "Nature". This is achieved by using motifs of natural elements like birds, bamboos and flowers in the flooring, furniture and wall finishes that are easy to maintain.

Green building concepts are incorporated. The efficiency with which the building uses resources, energy, water, and materials while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better design, construction, operation and maintenance, is increased.

Barrier free environment and accessibility design takes into consideration urban design (external environment), as well as, building design (internal environment).

Fact sheet
Product	Companies
Glazing / Facade	Alcob
Lighting	Wipro
Flooring/tiles	RAK, Forbo, Tarkett
Laminates	Merino
Elevator/lift	Hyundai
Interior	The Carpenters, Padam Interiors
Bird Mobile & Signage	Migo
False Ceiling	Armstrong
Modular Furniture	Amber, Godrej

The design principle comprises a variety of spaces for both solitary and group occupancy. Prevalence of green material is maximized. Hard landscape is minimized and plant materials dominate the gardens that encourage walking and help in reducing stress levels in patients.


The pristine interiors of the building compliment the urbane exteriors with use of glass and steel. The ambience created is spiritual and comfortable that alleviates the spirit of the patient. The planning, design and final architectural expression in the healthcare project is reflective of the gradual shift in outlook of healthcare institutions from merely treating the sick to a concerted approach to harness healthy living.

At a Glance
Owner:	True Value Homes India Private Limited (TVH)
Design Architect:	John Portman & Associates
Local Architect:	KSM Consultants Private Limited
Structural Engineers:	MMP Engineering
Mep Engineers:	Specialized Engineering Consultants
Site Area:	145,000 sf (13,47.1 sm)
Gross Building Area:	530,000 sf (49,239 sm)
Stories:	17
Project Components:	108 residential units, club amenities, fitness, spa and entertaining amenities

Atlanta based architectural firm John Portman & Associates designed TVH Entelechy for True Value Homes (TVH) as an urban retreat in Chennai which consists of approximately 108 luxury residential units in four buildings. Inspired by the exclusivity of penthouse living, the units range in size from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet (400 - 600 sm). Each unit has its own elevator entrance, and the residences are stacked high with open floor plans.


Moreover, the open floor plans, many with individual lap pools, will offer spectacular views of Chennai, the Adyar River and the Madras Boat Club. All units occupy a full floor in each of the buildings, adding to the exclusivity. The buildings are connected together by sky bridges that afford the residents spectacular views along with fitness, spa, and entertaining amenities. Once completed, TVH Entelechy Residences will set the benchmark for exclusive club living.

The architects while working on this project were inspired by the famous and colorful Madras woven textile pattern in the creation of the tower facades. The four luxury residential towers use color variation and pattern in the contemporary glass facades to distinguish each tower. Individually operated sun/privacy screens provide owners the ability to personalize their units, while adding a kinetic quality to the facades.

When comes to building materials and technologies selection for the project, the architectural firm remain open to advancements being made in building materials as science is at work creating lighter materials that can bear greater loads. With the help of 3D modeling and computer-aided design, architects and structural engineers devise new and better ways to design and build tall towers, such as greater integration of structural and design elements. Facades are evolving as light, strong, and translucent materials are developed that improve upon glass and incorporate controls for natural light, heat, ventilation, UV radiation, etc.

The most energy intensive task for this particular building is to remain cool throughout the year – a challenge due to its setting in a particularly hot part of India. According to the firm, the design, with its full floor residential units, allows for maximum airflow through the units to minimize the use of cooling until it is badly needed. The moving sunscreens can also be positioned to provide relief from the sun. As with all its projects, the firm strives to provide the most economic solution, considering material choices, construction techniques, as well as operational efficiencies. The project is currently in the sales process.

Designed by the renowned architecture firm John Portman and Associates, the premium luxury hotel 'Park Hyatt,' which has come up on three acres of land in upscale Banjara Hills in the heart of Hyderabad city, impresses guests from around the world with an atmosphere of easy elegance, five-star facilities and amenities and discreet service. This modern eight-storey hotel which is designed to international standards, took three and half years to construct, and caters to the discerning individual seeking the privacy, personalized service and luxurious elegance of a contemporary hotel.

At a Glance
Client:	Gayatri Hi-tech Hotels
Design Architect:	John Portman & Associates
Local Architect – Technical:	P.G. Patki Architects
Local Architect – Hyderabad:	T.V. Virani & Co.
Interiors:	HBA
Structure:	Sterling Engineering Consultancy Services Pvt, Ltd.
Contractor:	Gayatri Projects Limited
Site Area:	130,689 sf (12,141 sm)
Gross Building Area:	599,550 sf (55,700 sm)
Building Height:	89 ft (27 m)
Stories:	8
Project Components:	200+ Room Hotel, 42 Serviced Apartments, Ballroom and Meeting Space

Drawing inspiration from traditional Indian architecture, the design for the Park Hyatt Hyderabad was conceived as a microcosm focused around an interior courtyard with terraced gardens, descending into a reflecting pool. The result is a modern-day oasis – a place of cool, calm serenity and tranquility – a refuge from the intense traffic, hot climate, and parched landscape outside.

The project built by Gayatri Heritage Hotels, a Gayatri Group company, with an investment of Rs.700 crore, has joined the select group of Park Hyatt hotels in the world.

Modern Facilities and Amenities

The sleek and modern eight-story structure is clad in natural Madurai granite from South India and features expansive glass windows. In addition to the indigenous granite, the façade elements acknowledge India's intense sun with the use of metal sunscreens, low E insulated glass and architectural accents.

This 5-star super deluxe Park Hyatt hotel features 185 guestrooms and 24 suites, in addition to 42 fully-serviced apartments. This building has a lobby and mezzanine levels, plus four floors of guest rooms topped by two floors of high-end serviced apartments. An atrium rises through all eight floors.


The lobby features an original John Portman sculpture that was commissioned by the owners. The sculpture is a twenty-seven foot high (8.23 meter) undulating form in a matte white finish prominently positioned at the end of a 131 foot long (40 meter) linear reflecting pool that runs the length of the lobby. Serving as a contemplative counterpoint to the dramatic atrium space, it is mounted on a thin reflective stainless steel platform that creates the impression that the sculpture floats just above the surface of the water.


The hotel includes a business center/board room, health club/spa, swimming pool, dining and other related amenities. The lobby offers the hotel´s registration area with controlled access to the guest rooms and serviced apartments. A ballroom, meeting rooms and pre-function areas are located off of the lobby. The conference center is located one level below the ballroom.

Marina Bay Sands is a 929,000 square meter (10 million square-feet), high-density and mixed-use integrated resort complex that brings together a 2,560-room hotel, a 120,000 square meter (1,292,000 square feet) convention centre, a shopping mall, an Art & Science museum, two Sands Theatres, six restaurants, and a casino. Located in Marina South, a peninsula of land reclaimed from the sea in the late 1970s across the bay from Singapore's central Business District. Conceived as not just a mere building project, but as a city microcosm rooted in Singapore's culture, climate and contemporary life, the $5 billion project anchors Singapore's waterfront, creating a gateway to Singapore and providing a dynamic setting for vibrant public life.

To design this project, Safdie Architects was approached by Las Vegas Sands Corporation to come up with a design to help it win the bid to build the city's first integrated resort. According to Ar. Moshe Safdie, the lead designer and head of Safdie Architects, "Our challenge was to create a vital public place at the district-urban scale, in other words, to address the issue of mega-scale and invent an urban landscape that would work at the human scale. A major factor in the project selection for the competition was the design of the resort and the developer's capability. Moreover, there were very explicit terms on what the resort had to have, including a promenade, view corridors, and transportation connections. We had this shopping list of objectives, but I knew that beyond that, they were looking for an architecture that was so strong and memorable that it would represent Singapore, as the case with Sydney Opera House, everybody says Australia when they see it."

At a Glance
Location	: Singapore
Design Architect	: Moshe Safdie
Structural Engineers	: Arup
Client	: Marina Bay Sands Pte. Ltd.(A subsidiary of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation)
Site Area	: 154,938 square meters / 15.4 hectare (1,668,000 square feet / 38 acres)
Gross Floor Area	: 581,400 square meters (6,258,000 square feet)
Total Area	: 845,000 square meters (9,096,000 square feet)
Height	: 57 stories / 195 meters (640 feet)
Total Cost	: US $5.7 billion, including land cost

Multi-functional Urban Structure

Safdie designed an urban structure that weaves together the components of a complex program into a dynamic urban crossroads and public meeting place. Inspired by great ancient cities that were ordered around a vital public thoroughfare, Marina Bay Sands is organized around two principal axes that traverse the district and give it a sense of orientation placing emphasis on the pedestrian street as the focus of civic life. This new urban place integrates the waterfront promenade, a 74,000 square meter (800,000 square-feet) multi-level retail arcade, and the iconic Museum of ArtScience on the promontory. Located along the network of public paths are also two theaters with a combined 4,000 seats, a casino, a 9,000 square meters (96,000 square-feet) convention and exhibition center, and a hydraulically adjustable public event piazza of 5,000 square meters (54,000 square feet). Combining indoor and outdoor spaces and providing a platform for a wide array of activities, this vibrant, 21st-century cardo maximus, or grand arcade, also connects to the subway and other transportation.

Structural Design & Concept

Conceptually, the project has three towers where its each tower is composed of two slabs of east and west-facing rooms. The double-loaded towers spread at the base forming a giant atrium at the lower levels and converge as they rise. The tower slabs also give further character to the massing and relate to the site context: the glazed west side faces the city centre while the east side is planted with lush bougainvilleas facing the botanical gardens and ocean beyond. In plan, as the parcel varies in width, the cross section is decreased from one tower to the next. The tree void spaces are connected by one continuous and conditioned glazed atrium, filling the space between the towers with restaurants, retail spaces and a public thoroughfare. Each tower slab form is also twisted slightly in relation to its pair, creating a dance-like relationship between the two parts and accentuating the slenderness of the buildings, resulting in the appearance of six towers, rather than three.

Facades

Architect has given great emphasis on designing a solution for façade as the largest amount of heat gain occurs on the west façade. According to him, it was of paramount importance that an innovative solution be developed to maintain energy efficiency without limiting the view from the hotel rooms to Singapore's downtown.

The design solution proposed and implemented was a custom double-glazed unitized curtain wall. The energy efficient double-glazed units rest in a frame suspended from the edge of the slab. Perpendicular to the façade, glass fins were installed to provide shading. The outer skin follows the natural curved shape of the building, and the use of reflective glass creates a taught mirrored façade. One of the keys to achieving this aesthetic was a minimal spandrel panel at the floor slabs with a continuous double-glazed unit spanning the full 3 meters.

The east façade handles heat gain differently, utilizing deep planted terraces which follow the sloping radial geometry of the building's profile. The planters help to create microclimate cooling and the deep overhangs of the balconies naturally shade the hotel rooms from direct sun.

Layered Parks

A series of layered gardens provide ample green space throughout Marina Bay Sands, extending the tropical garden landscape from Marina City Park towards the Bayfront. The landscape network reinforces urban connections with the resort's surroundings and every level of the district has green space that is accessible to the public. Generous pedestrian streets open to tropical plantings and water views. Half of the roofs of the hotel, convention center, shopping mall, and casino complex are planted with trees and gardens.


In collaboration with Aedas, Ar Safdie created the hotel as three 55-storey towers instead of just one, so as to open up views between the city's downtown and its harbour. The towers anchor the district and are connected at the top by the 1 hectares (2.5acre) SkyPark. An engineering marvel 200 meters (656 feet) above the sea, the SkyPark spans from tower to tower and cantilevers 65 meters (213 feet) beyond. It accommodates a public observatory, gardens, a 151 meter-long (495 feet-long) swimming pool, restaurants, and jogging paths and offers sweeping panoramic views, a formidable resource in a dense city like Singapore.

Shielded from the winds and lavishly planted with hundreds of trees, the SkyPark celebrates the notion of the Garden City that has been the underpinning of Singapore's urban design strategy.

While the highrise hotel towers and SkyPark made MBS an iconic architecture, Mr Safdie also humanised and made legible, such a mega-scale project. It is an important principle in his design philosophy. It was not a project requirement, but he decided to set the highrise buildings back and away from the waterfront. He drew inspiration from ancient Roman cities that were ordered around a vital public thoroughfare — the cardo maximus and decumanus. The MBS is organized around such major urban spines, the centre of public, civic, cultural and commercial activities.

The resort's retail arcade, the ArtScience Museum, the waterfront promenade, theatres, a casino, convention and exhibition centre, are all integrated into this new urban place. "I felt the best scheme would be for all these low-rise programmes to be near the water, and the highrise would be pushed far back to the other side," says Mr Safdie. "It makes it a much more humane place, not having the shadows of towers above you."

These design approaches have helped to make the MBS a popular destination in the city since it officially opened in early 2011. Not only tourists come, but also Singaporeans, notes Mr Safdie. While many regard this project as designing another integrated resort like those in Las Vegas and Macau, Mr Safdie begs to differ. With its variety of uses, including shopping, he sees the MBS as an urban centre for Singaporeans as much as it is for tourists. "Integrated resorts have been in towns with not much going there. In Las Vegas, everybody is a tourist, same in Macau, but that's not true in Singapore," he says. "With Marina Bay Sands, I wanted to create a mixing bowl between Singapore and the world, a place that Singaporeans and tourists alike would enjoy and be inspired by. It appears that the design has succeeded in achieving this objective."

"We are now basking in something that is very rare: an architectural success story that is also a commercial success story," adds Mr Safdie. "It doesn't come together very often."

Large-Scale Public Art

Moshe Safdie selected five international artists to create eight monumental public art installations for Marina Bay Sands (James Carpenter, Antony Gormley, Ned Kahn, Sol LeWitt, and Chongbin Zheng). The artists worked closely with Safdie to ensure that the site-specific commissions complement the architecture and energize the public spaces.


"Singapore's public art incentive program offers an extraordinary opportunity for commissioned works in which art and architecture are complementary and seamlessly integrated," said Mr. Safdie. "It has been a privilege to collaborate with the artists to achieve installations which enrich the environment and inspire the public. Each of the works resonates in a particular way with the architecture while presenting the artists with an extraordinary palette of their creations."

Marina Bay Sands has been given the honor of 'Design of the year' at this year's President Design Award in Singapore. The President's Design Award is Singapore's most prestigious design accolade. It recognizes excellence across all design disciplines including advertising design and visual communication, architecture and urban design, fashion design, furniture, interior, and so on.

A first-of-its-kind king-size residency in Mumbai with pools and other amenities in each flat to experience the whole world within. Swimming pools have been designed within a flat which appeals like an Oasis in ones dream home.


Legend Siroya (formerly known as Siroya Developers) is a real estate company which boasts a diversified project portfolio spanning across luxury residences, hospitality, commercial, redevelopment and mixed-use ventures across the country. With currently over 60 projects in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, the company in a first-of-its kind venture, is coming up with its premium residency project Worldin which include a swimming pool, bar and barbeque area available in each apartment of the 40-storey project, ranging from 2.5 BHKs to the Grande 8-bedroom duplex Condos. Realizing the importance of a pool not only to take a bath but also as an excellent place to relax and let your tensions wash away, the group has gear up with this concept.


The group believes in perfection and always strives to understand what and who is really important for them and what need to be done rather than doing things as per industry or trend going on. It has many firsts to its credit as it directly interacts with the customers and based on their requirement it comes up with the project. It has announced a residential project Worldin for those who prefer to live life king-size, the 4, 6, 8 bhk residences along with the additional amenities of a grand double-door entrance, a separate al-fresco party area and also a sprawling spare space that can be converted into a private cinema hall, game room, library, art room, gym, studio or just about anything else that can be imagined.

Worldin promises a well-deserved escape from the hectic, clustered and crowded life of Mumbai as one return to his/her spacious and elaborate apartment each day. The smallest flat in the project will be about 1,700 square feet, a rare feature in residencies of the city. Along with swimming pools, each apartment will also boast of its own attached terraces, walk-in wardrobes and a service space that can be used as a laundry room or abode for the domestic help, sanitary fittings by UK-based luxury brand Villeroy and Boch among other amenities.

According to Mr. Rishabh Siroya, Director, Legend Siroya, "The project is an attempt to provide the customers with a 'flat that comprises the entire world'. In a metro like Mumbai, spacious houses are a rare luxury. We believe in giving this luxury to our customers."

Also, Worldin is one of the few constructions in the city that will boast of its very own helipad. The 10 storeys dedicated to parking can accommodate over 400 cars. The project also comprises a gymnasium with state-of-art equipment in the premise and a swimming pool for the residents.


The developers also have a unique feature of customization for the apartments. "We have given the option of re-designing the apartment to suit the need of the buyer. Also, the plan offers ultimate flexibility as empty areas and spaces made available can be utilized as required to increase living space vertically or horizontally without the need of any structural changes," Mr. Siroya added.



With a variety of royal amenities under one roof that very few projects offer even separately in the city, the 3,50,000 square feet project intends to create a benchmark in fashionable living crafted with its unparalleled designs and innovative structures. Mr. Mukesh Bahadur, the principal architect of this project says, "The design of this building has been developed taking into consideration the needs of large and small families with utmost flexibility in design of spaces while encompassing natural elements and bringing them all together as one solution. The aerodynamic form with a central core provides direct light and ventilation to all rooms. The simple concept of the building as an object brought into light is matched here by well-mannered form that is striking but unimposing, non-intrusive in the air stream and at ground level."

Expatiating on the structural design the other he said that we have ensured that every apartment of Worldin has a good view and adequate ventilation, which is a rare and novel thing for a residential tower in Mumbai. Also, the design allows users to customize apartments as per their requirements without making structural changes. Wide open decks in each apartment give the feeling of openness and oneness with the overall element, and also provide scenic view.


He added that we have mainly used RCC frame structure for this project and to break the homogeneity, we have utilized glass cladding in a contemporary manner to achieve visual warmth, delicacy and hierarchy of scale.

Talking about the main determinant of the design process for their architectural firm he elaborated that their most important aspect is functionality. We take into consideration the site conditions and use basic technology to achieve functional efficiency. Another crucial facet is innovativeness. Along with the exterior, the internal design of the project must be considered. It offers greater efficiency to the overall planning. While you do all this it is also very important to understand its effects on the end-user and his immediate environment.


Sharing his views about sustainable architecture he said that in metros, sustainability is a difficult task to achieve. However, we try to make our designs as environment-friendly as possible. There are two geometries, one being the suns geometry on its east west path and the other being the geometry of the site in relation to the roads that is the contextual geometry. These geometries don't coincide but have to make them coincide and come up with an optimum solution for the problems of present day congested living like in "MUMBAI. Design of wordlin is such an example which has a gamut of facilities, besides a plethora of multiplexes, spas, good educational institutes, upscale shopping areas and malls, hi-tech hospitals, business centres, clubs et al.

Chicago's Aqua tower with its rippling facade and vast green roof is the tallest building in the world to be designed by a woman. Ar Jeanne Gang, a forty-eight-year-old Chicagoan, had figured out a way to make a silky line with a fairly conventional rectangular glass slab, and then transformed it by wrapping it on all four sides with wafer-thin, curving concrete balconies, describing a different shape on each floor. More than having a pretty face, special emphasis has been given on innovative green design and energy-efficient features in the structure such as heat-resistant and fritted glass, rainwater collection systems, and energy-saving lighting systems which address environmental concerns on a large scale.

The 86-storey mixed-use Aqua tower includes a hotel, apartments, condominiums, parking and offices. Unlike a tower in an open field, new towers in urban environments must negotiate small view corridors between existing buildings. In response to this, the Aqua Tower is designed to capture particular views that would otherwise be unattainable. A series of contours defined by outdoor terraces extends away from the face of the tower structure to provide views between neighboring buildings. These outdoor terraces, cantilevered up to twelve feet, differ in shape from floor to floor. The terraces inflect based on criteria such as the view, solar shading and size and type of dwelling. When viewed together, these unique terraces make the building appear to undulate, presenting a highly sculptural appearance that is rooted in function. Aqua creates a strong identity through its architecture and has become a landmark addition to the Chicago skyline.

The name 'Aqua' was assigned to the building by the developer Magellan Development Group LLC. It fits the nautical theme of the other buildings in the Lakeshore East development, and is derived from the wave-like forms of the balconies; the tower's proximity to nearby Lake Michigan also influenced the name.

Located on the 200 block of North Columbus Drive, and surrounded by highrises, Aqua rises from a podium on the 179,946 square feet site near Millennium Park. The architect Jeanne Gang has given swirling architectonic form to this 1.9 million square feet structures' envelop while working with the building's rectangular footprint. As a mixed-use structure that contains 55,000 square feet (5,100 square meters) of retail and office space, in addition to 215 hotel rooms (floors 1-18), 476 rental residential units (floors 19-52), and 263 condominium units & Penthouses (floors 53-81), Aqua's entrances serve a variety of users and residents. Canopied walkways lead visitors to the building's main entrance while two grand public stairs bring pedestrians from Upper Columbus Drive down to a park at grade level, providing access to Chicago's downtown area and lakefront. The tower also connects to Chicago's extensive underground pedway system, linking users and residents to restaurants, retail, cultural activities and jobs in the Loop and on the Magnificent Mile. Additional consideration was made when designing the tower's garage exits below grade to minimize congestion at pedestrian levels. To further reduce traffic and confusion, the garage's three levels have different access points that correlate to the tower's specific uses and users.



The outdoor terraces which are cantilevered up to 4m (12ft) and have a depth of 23cm (9in), thins out towards the edge of the cantilever to assist with water drainage. The challenge of constructing unique floor plates was solved by implementing a computerized civil engineering and surveying software program and digital CAD files for inputting the coordinates of each unique slab to a robotic station used onsite. This system was used to set in place light-gauge steel plate edge-forms according to the contours. After the concrete had set, these steel forms were removed and easily reshaped according to the contours of the next level. The result is a highrise tower particular to its site that allows residents to inhabit the facade of the building and the city at the same time. Early and close collaboration between architect and builder, as well as the use of contemporary digital tools, allowed the variation in the shape of the floor slabs to be achieved without increasing the building's construction timetable.

Aqua Tower was recognized as a finalist in the 2010 CTBUH Awards Program. According to Mun Summ Wong, CTBUH 2010 Awards Juror, and WOHA Architects "The differential cantilevering balconies on Aqua transform a standardized glass box into a sublime amorphous form."

Project at a Glimpse
Location:	Chicago, IL (Chicago River Watershed)
Gross area:	1,900,000 ft2 (176,516 m2)
Cost:	$475 million ($300 million, construction)
Completed:	2010
Program:	Hotel, apartments, condominiums, parking, retail, restaurants, offices, green roof terrace with outdoor pool, running track, and gardens
Architect:	Studio Gang Architects; Loewenberg Architects (architect of record)
Owner:	Magellan Development Group
Landscape architect:	Wolff Landscape Architecture
Environmental consultants:	Khatib and Associates (energy); Advance Mechanical Systems (geotechnical)
General contractor:	James McHugh Construction Company

Sustainable Designs

Sustainability was an important factor that was considered in Aqua's design. Among building's notable features is the green roof terrace atop its plinth-which at 80,000 sf is one of Chicago's largest-that contains an outdoor pool, running track, gardens, fire pits and yoga terrace. From below, Aqua's plinth navigates the site's complexity by spanning over pre-existing elements, such as an electrical substation, and by aligning with existing infrastructure, including an adjacent three-level roadway. The plinth physically connects pedestrian areas with stairs and elevators linking street level to park level and the lakefront.


The tower's east–west orientation maximizes its winter solar performance. Its balconies extend further on the southern façade to provide shading, reducing solar exposure in summer and allowing passive warming in winter.

In addition to low-E coatings on all glass, the design team modeled seasonal sun patterns to identify remaining areas of glass that needed higher performing glazing to increase energy efficiency throughout the tower. Glass on the east and south façades are reflective in areas without a protective balcony, while glass facing west has a tinted coating that improves its shading coefficient. In total, Aqua employs six different types of glass: clear, tinted, reflective, spandrel, fritted and translucent, the placement of which is determined by the orientation and function of interior space. Fritted glass is used and combined with handrail design to minimize bird strikes.


"Aqua Tower was shaped by an organic, site-specific design process. Rather than starting out with the goal of creating an icon, we let the climate and views shape the building, weaving it into its surroundings and treating the building and its environment as interconnected not separate. Even though it may appear to be formally expressive, it is equal parts data and imagination" –– Jeanne Gang, Design Principal Architect.

In addition, detailed wind tunnel studies were also done to confirm the performance of the structure under high winds. Initially, it was thought that a supplemental tuned mass damping system may be required to appropriately manage the effects of the wind on occupant comfort. However, during the testing, it was discovered that the undulating slab edges disrupted or "confused" the flow of wind around the tower, effectively reducing the wind demands, and this, combined with the effectiveness of the structural design, eliminated the need for a supplemental damping system.

Inside the dwelling units, the architects selected materials and equipment with sustainable features such as renewable and recyclable bamboo for the floors, plumbing fixtures including toilets, faucets, and showerheads that cut down on water use, plus Energy Star-rated appliances.

Safdie Architects announced that it has been selected to design a 10-million-square-feet mixed-use complex for a historically significant site at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, in the inland Chinese city of Chongqing. The project, which is spearheaded by development partners CapitaL and, CapitaMalls Asia, and Singbridge, will feature residential and office space as well as retail and cultural facilities, a service residence, a hotel, restaurants and clubs, a park, gardens, and hubs for land and water transportation, including ferry docking and landscaped boardwalks.



The project is a little resemblance to Safdie's previous Marina Bay Sands project in Singapore and in contrast to Marina s' three glittering pillars, Safdie's latest creation comprises six key columns - two identical towers in the centre and two shorter towers in a semicircular arc on either side.



The design for this gateway site, by international architect Moshe Safdie, is inspired by the image of sailing ships on the river, and is intended to serve as a symbol of both Chongqing's noble past as a trading center and its fast-growing future as one of China's largest and most important modern cities. The outer curving glass facades of the project's six towers, placed in a prow-like arc, will face the water to the north, while decked hanging gardens and a generous public park will link the complex to the city immediately to the south. As a whole, the complex will consist of:

Chongqing Chaotianmen project, Chongqing, China. Aerial view (modal view). Image courtesy of Safdie Architects.	Chongqing Chaotianmen project, Chongqing, China. Aerial view at Night (modal view). Image courtesy of Safdie Architects.

• Two central, identical towers that will house a service residence, a hotel, private residences, and office space and that will be linked midway by a distinctive garden bridge, containing within it the hotel lobby and restaurants.
• Four residential towers

All four residential towers terrace to the south, forming a continuous green façade toward the city. Beneath the park, the project will also feature four levels of shopping gallerias, as well as a conference center, theaters, and other cultural spaces.

The project, which is expected to have a total development cost of about $3.1 billion, will front upon what was once the foremost of Chongqing's traditional city gates, where officials received imperial decrees from the Emperor. As the city's initial dock area on the Yangtze, the location also represents the great tradition of the shipping highway, which has stoked this major inland city's development from its beginning and now drives its contemporary evolution.

Client:  Raimon Land

Location:  Bangkok Thailand

Area:  200,000 m2

Status:  Completed 2012

At over 200'000 m2 of development, The River is one of Thailand's largest inner city developments, comprising twin towers of 72 and 44 stories thus making it also one of Bangkok's tallest structures. Designed by architect Hans Brouwer, this new iconic landmark affords a high degree of variation within nearly 1,000 residential units in terms of type, location, orientation and height.

In the Heart of City

The origins of great cities can always be traced back to their significant geographical landmarks. Like London, Paris and New York, Bangkok's history is inextricably linked to the river that flows through it, the Chao Phraya. It remains in many ways the pulse of this great city and continues to play a key role in the life and growth of Bangkok.

Modern international cities are seeing a rediscovery of the dynamic lifestyle associated with inner city living. Whether one is dealing with the Seine in Paris, the Thames in London or the Hudson in New York, these environments are offering the ability to live right in the heart of the city, whilst still enjoying the associations of waterfront living.

It is the unique setting of The River that distinguishes this project and sets it apart from any other in Bangkok. Located in a prime area of the city, opposite some of Bangkok's most prestigious addresses and commanding stunning views back towards the skyline, The River presents a unique challenge in terms of design.

When investigating the best design for the site a premium was placed on the ability to create an environment of space, privacy and luxury. Building position and orientation were extensively studied in order to ensure unobstructed views out from every unit. The Chao Phraya is not only an exciting and dynamic context for the development, but also provides an unprecedented level of privacy and exclusivity afforded by its over 200-metre width.

Architectural Aspects

The towers have been designed with a different architectural articulation for the two principal sides. A slick curved curtain wall on one side whereas a deliberately articulated series of "pigeon holes" on the other.


The design of the apartments within The River is based on the belief that sophisticated end-users demand a wide range of choices when it comes to choosing their living environment. Units range in size from compact studios to the large duplex units with a plethora of living arrangements based on unit layout, floor level and the views afforded.


As part of the in-depth design process, the sitting of the building and orientation were extensively studied to create an environment of space, privacy and luxury with unobstructed views from every unit. Careful modulation of scale, articulation and detailing are reflections of a design philosophy that embraces intelligent, responsive design in turn reflected in both the interior planning and external appearance of the building.


The central core arrangement ensures that all main living and sleeping areas will enjoy prime, unobstructed views, and kitchens and bathrooms are typically open plan. A structural system employing long span, flat slabs coupled with a full height, floor to ceiling glazed facade gives rise to urban, highrise living at a previously unprecedented scale in Bangkok.


The towers have been carefully sculpted and the elegant interplay of curved and orthogonal facades delineates different forms and emphasizes the vertical expression of the towers. The curved glazed wall of the taller tower is translucent by day and dramatically illuminated by night. The River, being a 265-metre-high masterpiece, won Best Luxury Condo development at the Thailand Property Awards.

Pune based Construction Catalysers is a new age architectural engineering company which designs and builds envelops, buildings, roofs, facades etc using new age advanced architectural materials like tensile membranes, steel, and glass. Some of the most prestigious projects executed by the company are presented here.

Archery Stadium

Apart from the heartening fact that Commonwealth Games 2010 is about to host an archery competition for just the second time in the history of the Games, archers have yet another reason to rejoice. A state-of-the-art archery stadium has been designed by Pune-based Construction Catalysers Pvt. Ltd. at Delhi Development Authority's Yamuna Sports Complex in East Delhi that is expected to captivate the imagination of technology-gazers and sportspersons alike. The stadium is the first large-scale development flagged off by the DDA for gearing up the sports infrastructure of the city with respect to the Commonwealth Games 2010 (3-14 October 2010).

Overview

The stadium will host Archery Preliminaries apart from numerous other sport events in the near future. A basic curvilinear form ensures unhindered play-view from all sides. The world-class design is spread over a site of 4.8 hectares and houses spectator seating, air-conditioned lounges, changing rooms, medical and physiotherapy, doping control, logistics, cafeteria, venue management store facilities. The 4274 sqm of plaza level is specially designed respecting the differently able. Special lifts, toilets and ramps ensure easy accessibility throughout the stadium and convenience of use. An external concourse area sweeps around the perimeter on the first floor, apart from housing the lounges and spectator's seating. The second floor contains the Commonwealth Games' family lounge and the media centre and the grand stand sports a seating capacity of 1500 spectators.

The Roof

The USP of the project is the unique roofing that covers the stadium. 22m deep cantilevered tensile structure sweeps over the stadium providing shade to the seating area. A main Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) structure supports the arched steel trusses that act as the main supporting members. These trusses are cantilevered on both sides and are arranged along the seating area spaced at 7 m c/c. Finally, white translucent fabric is fixed both on top and bottom of the arched girders transforming the structural framework into a seamless roof. The translucent fabric allows diffused daylight in, without revealing the structural members and in this manner, with minimum distraction to the eye, spectators can enjoy the game in an utmost aesthetic ambience.


For a clean look and clear vision the rain water gutters are concealed within the fabric roof. The collected water is guided further to the main rain water recharge area of the complex.