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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. Botanica in New Delhi, India by Design Forum International (DFI)March 1st, 2017 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: epistle Communications Amidst the urban residential potpourri of South Delhi, with apartments and plotted developments occupying and maximizing literally every square footage of space available, Botanica attempts to create a landmark development within the contemporary residential building typology by creating spacious, high-on-luxury, three-side open apartments in the heart of Delhi. Through its scale, massing and materiality, Botanica aims to create a distinguished architectural character, conceiving an identity for itself as a boutique bio-luxury development, whilst providing spacious and functionally efficient environs for its residents.  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)
 Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)
 Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI) As one approaches the estate from the main road of Neeti Bagh, one is greeted by an inviting wood and brushed steel entrance gate with the name Botanica etched boldly. It announces itself as an exclusive development. The arrival court is animated with a visually scintillating water feature and an incredible 30 feet high green envelop that fills one with joy and surprise. The ground level under the building is left free to allow the eye to see more depth and functionally allows each apartment to park 5 cars, it also accommodates a grand entrance lobby with a concierge desk and a cozy waiting space. The drop off experience with a double height canopy, signature emblem on the floor and warmly lit travertine walls further add to the warmth and visual finesse of the entrance experience. With kids play zones well-crafted sports facilities and a private clubhouse, this private residential development thrives as a spirited bio-luxury estate, with the lush landscaped ground level serving as one of the main attractions.  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI) Sited in a moderately compromised neighborhood, inheriting existing slums on the neighboring sides, a school at the front and access one side towards a posh colony of South Delhi (Niti Bagh), and another leading to the urban village/laldora area, the site is faced with not only urban challenges of bye-laws, but is also confronted with the social challenges of addressing the unruly development behind the planned, ultra-luxurious private homes. Shaped in the form of two rectangles joined in a manner that come together to form a narrow junction with almost 40% of the site area rendered non buildable because of bye-laws, the site presented severe geometrical challenges to the architect. The adjacent school building goes up to three storeys and 70 percent of its windows open into the site, further augmenting the trials of privacy.  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI) Initially conceived with a brief of smaller units that would be quick and easy to sell, the design brief adapted itself to accommodate the commercial needs of real estate in prime locations such as those of the site. While architecture must be crafted based on purist views, macro issues such as site location and geometry etc., for a commercial project, the mathematical numbers do influence the end-product. A rough mathematical survey that resulted in a 16000 sqft plate area, led the way for 2000 sq ft floor plates, from which 8 apartments could be carved out at one level, and 4 such levels would be created, resulting in 30-32 luxurious apartments. A result of this would have been that the middle ones would actually have very little openings, and would be compromised on account of daylight and ventilation. Another option was to plan 10 villas of approx. 500 sq yards each, but that too did not make commercial and design sense.  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI) The final outcome of these multiple permutations and combinations was a simplistic layout that resulted in a four-sided open, butterfly-shaped plan, and a form that is typically not available in customary plotted developments in Delhi. As a result, a central movement and service core is crafted, around which four apartments each with, three-sided open so, 16 apartments, 4000 sq ft each are created, each of which is vaastu-enabled for enhanced saleability. A35ft strip of land is left free on all sides, and a landscaped, 30ft high green wall, visible from any window, rises high to enhance the views from within the apartments.  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)  Image Courtesy © Design Forum International (DFI)
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Categories: Apartments, Building, Facade, Housing Development, Interiors, Public Housing, Residential |
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