Konterra in Gurgaon, India by SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Article source: SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

As one meanders through the busy bustling roads of Udyog Vihar commercial hub in Phase 4, one really can’t miss the imposing terracotta cladded edifice with its imposing presence around the corner. The address neighborhood has found its landmark in the form of 505, Udyog Vihar called Konterra.

Located at a prominent location of Udyog Vihar at the gateway of Gurgaon near the bygone toll plaza off NH-8, Konterra is at a stone throw distance from Indira Gandhi International Airport – IGI Airport, with just a mere 10 minutes from the airport. That’s a perfect location for the travelling working professionals in Konterra to enjoy a sweet ride where their not-so-blessed compatriots are struggling to get to the airport from other locations. It can veritably be garlanded as the best location in Udyog Vihar, easily accessible from NH-8. Flanked by NH-8 and the Old Delhi Gurgaon Road, Konterra’s residents enjoy a twin commutable spine which otherwise is a terrific boon to already road strapped users in Gurugram.

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

• Architects: SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd
• Project: Konterra
• Location: Gurgaon, Haryana, India

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Being a corner property renders Konterra as an apple of the eye for its residents and users, it also provides an extra brownie points by being equally close to Cyber city, the largest commercial Hub in India and home to the largest number of MNCs. Notwithstanding the very nearby access to the Metro station, which is a tremendous boon to the residents of the area. Konterra is in the center of the hustle and bustle of the commercial neighborhood. With the inclusion of names of companies like HCL, Alcatel, Wipro, Times Internet, Jabong, Airtel, Vodafone and many such top companies, Konterra renders a perfect cornerstone for the professionals who wants to be in the thick of the game.

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

With that slight introduction, let’s delve into the nitty gritty of the architecture of the building as to why Konterra stands out from among the crowd. With a total area of 32,000 sq.ft Konterra boasts of 5 floors comprising of one basement and four floors above. That would result into approximately 6,500 Sq.ft of average floor plate area per floor. Each floor has a clear height of 13 feet 4 inches. That means from the bottom of the beam to the floor, for those who are not clear about the term clear ceiling height. The design of Konterra had been conceptualized and constructed to achieve a minimum of 80% column free space which speaks volume of the space efficiency in terms of design. Safety is the foremost word in any building design, something which has been ably established by the fact that Konterra has been designed for seismic zone 5. In addition to this, fire safety has been considered with sprinkler system being provided both above and below the ceiling. Parking which is one of the most difficult aspects of urban development programs has been taken care of by the ample space that Konterra enjoys being the corner plot.

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Konterra is an artistic amalgamation of both futuristic cladding technology and climatically sensitive material. This is can be enumerated with the classic combination of state-of-the-art ventilated façade system using imported terracotta clay tiles and a high performance hermetically sealed DGU system having a SHDC index of value 0.24. This combined with point fixed glazing system’s fin system with 1.52mm PVB holding the sandwich glass together renders a world class finish with a warm pallet and earthy tone so luscious that the spectators are left spellbound. And to say we haven’t even entered the building yet!

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

It is not just the façade that keeps you spellbound but even the courtyards both at front and back which are most beautifully landscaped and designed to the hilt. In addition there is a 4500 Sq.ft of common terrace area with an adjoining landscaped terrace garden. With 4 floors of office areas, these areas had been planned meticulously to be used for weekend parties, breakout areas, huddle spaces for the office professionals and other get together and outdoor activities.

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Konterra is not just a beautiful building but also an equally productive ziggurat with formidable sustainable features with all qualifications to be denoted as a Green Building. This can be enumerated by the integrated building management systems encompassed with elevators, HVAC and firefighting systems. The fact that Konterra qualifies for minimum gold rated Leed certification in sustainable design can be highlighted by features like terrace garden, recessed windows, high performance DGU glazing systems with superlative specifications like Saint Gobain make SKN144 having U-value of 1.60 W/sq.m and an index value for SHGC of 0.23. What is astounding to hear that the above mentioned inclusions in designs results in tremendous savings in Air-conditioning loads and lowers operating costs by gargantuan amounts. Notwithstanding there is a very effective water management and rainwater harvesting systems in place. SWBI architects, the architect for Konterra had paid attention to minute details like designing a very pronounced well defined entrance hallway and a very efficiently planned MEP services to enable the building services function like swiss clockwork. Permanent low maintenance external finishes add another feather to the hat of the edifice called Konterra.

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Sanjay Wadhwa, Principal Architect, SWBI Architects

Sanjay Wadhwa is Principal and Design Head at SWBI Architects, with over 30 years of experience in Architecture, Design, Planning and execution in the Built Environment industry pan India across the diverse segments of Corporate, Institutional, Hospitality, Residential, Masterplanning and Commercial projects. Under his leadership and employing Best International industry practices, SWBI specializes in the domain of projects in Workplace Design, greenfield IT campuses and interiors.

Founded in 1987 by Sanjay Wadhwa along with Bina Wadhwa, SWBI Architects is a multi-disciplinary, Design Consultancy Firm with a Pan-India presence, where bespoke customized solutions are a high point, backed by an excellent bandwidth of Professional Resource and related Infrastructure. Offering sensitive and innovative design solutions across a diverse range of User Groups and core markets in Architecture, Interiors, Planning and Engineering, SWBI works across varied typologies. Rooted in the green principles of Sustainable Buildings, most of the Firm’s work is towards achieving highest level of sustainability revolving around reduced carbon footprint as well as employees’ wellbeing.

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Having Won several national Design Competitions (both open and limited) such as the Award-Winning Office Building for MP Urja Vikas Nigam at Bhopal, which was a landmark in passive solar architecture, Sanjay has also handled overseas projects in countries such as Germany & Portugal including designing India Pavilion at Expo-2000, Germany. Passionate about creating Designs which are “Wellbeing @ Workplace” centric, Sanjay speaks regularly at various Industry forums and through his work at SWBI, has won Awards & accolades including the “Pinnacle Interior Architect of the Year Award”.

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Image Courtesy © SWBI Architects Pvt. Ltd

Tags: Haryana, India

Categories: Building, Commercial Area, Mixed use, Offices, Residential

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