Project description by jury

In response to the worldwide spread of air-tight, fully glazed buildings, that in countries like India can largely fail to meet occupant’s expectations and comfort requirements, the S Nine project suggests an efficient and environmentally conscious façade system for hot semi-arid climates. The façade design is based on the use of thin slabs of natural red sandstone, assembled so as to create a grid of planters and fenestrations. Vegetation becomes a distinct trait of the building skin, offering a charming natural atmosphere inside while providing a lively character to the neighborhood. The semi-permeable natural skin also helps increase indoor comfort, serving as shading device for the building and as a regulator of temperature fluctuations. The stone fins stand only on two vertical metal elements that embeds also water supply and discharge systems. The whole façade grid is independent from the main building structure, allowing for a wide flexibility in terms of pattern and composition. Implemented at a 1:1 scale in a pilot building in Pune, the novel façade technology has involved local labor in the stone processing, demonstrating that green technologies can represent a great opportunity to stimulate a circular economy.

Jury appraisal

The Holcim Awards jury Asia Pacific highly commended this very developed and advance façade system that went all the way from a concept, to prototype and full-scale construction. The solution was considered very appropriate for the Indian climatic context, well-rooted into the local cultural dimension and aesthetically compelling. The modularity and ease of implementation were compelling aspects that make the system relevant not only for new construction but also for retrofit interventions. The proposal successfully demonstrates that façade design can move away from international trends to be rethought to meet the needs of the territory locally.

Regional observation, design adaptation and innovation

Buildings with glass envelopes result in a nature-deficit and dull environment for the surroundings and the user. In earlier times, most of the buildings in Pune had planters protruding onto the streets. It depicted a unique celebration of life with nature in transitional spaces like balconies and windows. This aspiration has been adopted in the design to create a nostalgia of having plants by the window which can be touched, felt and watered from inside to create a distinct bond with users. These planters bring life to the internal environment and create a sense of belonging for the user of the space. The external neighbourhood also turns lively with the natural planter fenestration. The semi-permeable natural skin serves dual purpose of planters and a shading device to the building.

Due to the high quality of the entries in the competition region of Asia Pacific, the jury selected not four but five projects to receive Next Generation prizes. The winning projects from India, Thailand, and Indonesia all share a strong focus on social sustainability.