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.

Design and strategies for construction

A peripheral column system was adopted for flexible and multifunctional use of the interior space. Modular divisions create an illusion of scale in the elevation. It makes the construction easier, since the skin is locally crafted by hand on site. Involving local labour creates a circular economy within the city. A unique type of structural innovation is evolved through combining structure and services. The stone fins stand only on two vertical metal members that also have water supply and discharge system through them. The asymmetric design and arrangement of planters make a visual pattern which is complete in itself. Further, it gets enhanced with plants. Also there is a flexibility to change architectural expression of the building as the stone fins are independent of the main structure.

Natural material, zero wastage and environmental performance

Instead of creating huge glass envelopes, Indian natural red sandstone was selected for the outer skin, for its key features like water absorption, durability, tough built and quality to outlast artificial materials. Stone sizing has been designed to minimize the wastage of stone. The unused stone is utilised in the parking floor and compound walls. The water and liquid fertilizer is supplied to each planter with a drip system by gravity. Modular design has made the planters easily accessible for maintenance from individual floors. The fins create a semi permeable envelope around the building in a way to obtain diffused light in the interior for most part of the day. Diffused rays through planters also reduce the overall heat gain inside the building.