ArchShowcase Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Gulf Adiba in Gurgaon, India by Design Forum InternationalMay 27th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: epistle communications Located in suburban NCR within proximity of central Delhi and very close to the International airport, Gulf Adiba is a proposed IT/ ITES office complex located in Udyog Vihar Phase II, Gurgaon. Just 1km off the National Highway 8, the building is aptly positioned on a 4000 sq m industrial plot within a dense office complex site comprising of other similar milieu.
With a design brief of a contemporary, yet elegant and functional edifice that had to be vaastu-compliant, the development is envisaged as a paradigm shift that moves away from the typical, closed, work environment that creates a stressful work eco-system. The lack of a site context with no significant views determined the design development as a distinctive, introverted-planned, environment-friendly, climate-responsive built volume with sufficient recreational spaces that would allow for employee-interaction, engagement and pleasurable workspaces of both private and public nature. The building norms, permissible ground coverage (40%), height restriction of 30m and FAR (2), further led the design to be conceived as a private, calm and serene building spread across Six floors and a stilted open space that frees up the ground to bring in nature into the office building. A low, recessed adjacent neighboring plot further enables the creation of an east-facing, open to sky entry court that not only reinforces the private nature of the office but creates Landscaped zones away from the neighboring noise and pollution. The porous, ground-level courtyard also permits the movement of ample natural light and ventilation through the built volume, while crafting Interactive and recreational spaces as a part of the interiors. The site is planned keeping the site constraints and vaastu considerations in mind, that define a clean, north-east entrance and circulation to begin with, and marked with a water body. The south-west zone being blocked by construction, further facilitates the conception of recreational spaces at every level that are free of FAR. This outdoor space at every level generates spaces for interaction that are otherwise found as closed spaces within offices while aiding a visual connect and air movement. An orientation-sensitive design is enabled by the lower block at the entrance for light penetration, enabling the North-Glazed façade with scatter free light and ensuring that all internal courts get sufficient sunlight. To enable wind flow and ensuring that all units get sufficient ventilation, the North and south are retained as open to allow for the movement of summer and winter winds. In the absence of any formal site influences, a fluid, rhythmic, yet continuous form is inspired by nature to create an iconic identity in the otherwise mundane surroundings achieved by the creation of gradually, steeping up terraces. A Roof line is developed that follows the floor profile to complement the overall form of the built volume resulting in a structure that bears a resemblance to the sand dunes in the deserts of the Middle East with the distinct floors characterized by the ripples on a sand dune. Adopting the innovative technology of a space frame with glass, polycarbonate panels to create a semi-covered roofing system at the top, to which the building tapers to and enables the aerial view to be viewed as a vague ‘8’. The parapets are further softened by the optimization of greenery and planters along the railing that also allow for sound proofing. Embedded lighting design further enhances the iconic identity of the building. Anand Sharma Partner, Design Forum International Anand Sharma studied (B.Arch.)Hons, from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and started the practice “Tevatia Chauhan & Sharma Architects” in 1995. In 2003, the practice was rechristened as Design Forum International (DFI)with a clear intent to foster an egalitarian organizational ethos where distinctive architectural talent finds self-expression and can contribute in a democratic and collaborative work environment. The practice has since grown from strength to strength and is currently marching ahead with a vibrant team of over 100 professionals; each pursuing a distinctive value based architectural spirit that DFI imbues. Having won many accolades, DFI has emerged as an institution that attracts great design minds; who love to thrive in a professionally charged environment focusing on every detail and exploring new design methodology for every project. Anand is an architect, talented singer and literary enthusiast. At DFI, he coined the slogan of “People first” and constantly uses his leadership and people skills to mentor and upscale the creative and intellectual horsepower. He believes that our cities must have a distinct character and as an architect, he lays great emphasis on including contextuality in our design responses. With his extensive expertise In Architecture and Engineering, Anand Is An exceptional team leader possessing the capacity to carry aproject from initiation to final production. His strength lies inhis ability to manage projects with overlapping disciplines at the same time applying both quality and budget control. As apartner, Ananduses his diverse knowledge and experience to guide the architectural, engineering and client teams to work together to deliver highly successful projects. Contact Design Forum International
Category: office Complex |