Energy- Efficient Edifice
In a new era in architecture, where people’s comfort and environment is the most important criterion, the project is designed with just the same intention– “a sustainable building friendly to people and environment.”
A detailed study about probable location for the project was carried out before the location was finalized. The proposed land was not a farmland, or a habitat for wildlife. Footprint for the buildings was minimized to have minimum site disruption and to have maximum open area permissible. Creative and careful site designs are formulated to integrate the natural surroundings with the buildings. Building plot coverage is less than 30% with an emphasis on the expansive landscape and water body.
Environmental and economic concerns are the key issues which were looked into before finalizing the site. Economic issues were reduced by minimizing the excavation of the soil, preserving existing plants and trees near the site boundaries which reduced
the landscaping costs for the building. Indigenous plants are used which have less maintenance and also minimized inputs of fertilizers, pesticides and water, reducing the maintenance cost.
On site wastewater reclamation is provided which will ease the load on public facilities. Solar shading devices are provided with relation to the sun path direction to ensure better condition inside the room and greatly reduce the load on air- conditioning.
Garbage collection room is provided in the basement with an area of 500sq ft and collection bins are provided in each floor.
Diagonal shape is taken for the building to avoid direct sun from the south- west and south- east. On the western side, angular aluminium vertical louvers are provided to avoid direct sun from the west. In the plan, all the service areas are provided on the southern side of the building which will also help direct heat into the office space, in other words, this will act as a buffer zone.
Northern side is given mostly full glass from floor to ceiling to give maximum light, which would give very good view into the central
courtyard of the campus. Out of the three towers, the eastern tower is tilted as a block to enhance the aesthetic quality of the building which will look like a moving object to the space.
All the buildings in the campus are placed surrounding a central triangular court which is also the shape of the total site. Glass windows are provided that open into the courtyard from all buildings. The central courtyard is also landscaped beautifully which is also covered 60% with a tensile fabric structure to give shade. The central courtyard can also facilitate open- air meetings, get- togethers, etc. From various buildings, one can reach the central area by landscaped walkways to reach the food court building, meditation centre, health club, etc. The extreme north of the site is being provided with public utility building, again triangular in shape which houses a three- storey shopping mall, bank, ATM, day care block, food courts, etc.
On the northern side, there is a 10- storey building for software, and another block on the south- west corner houses100 service apartments. At the east side of the site, software combined blocks are provided parallel to the road which houses four towers. This is again designed in diagonal shape to avoid direct sun to enhance the aesthetic quality with good elevation providing different floors which would enhance the quality for green house concept. These split level double height green spaces are provide in all buildings in the campus.
The building form– simple yet elegant, gives the user views in different directions.
All the service zones are concentrated along the south creating a buffer between the south facing wall and the work spaces. These work spaces are locations of high intellectual productivity, placed along the north side with ample views and natural lights. Zigzag wall/ glass profile along the west side façade blocks the western sun but still gives light from northern facing windows.
The double level entrance lobby and two large landscape courts besides the entrance gives an adequate green backdrop for people to feel while entering the building. The architecture aimed is to create natural feeling while entering the building. Around 27 to 37% of the total area is provided with glass.
Exclusive visitors’ lounge/ conference hall faces the north and the cafeteria faces the
south. Through this, 30% reduction in power usage operating cost can be achieved. Fifty percent of the new wood based materials are FSC certified wood. Double glazed windows with adequate thickness are provided to give inside enough protection and to have a clean exterior vision. Rotating blinds on the external glazed surface provide adequate shades throughout the day. At regular interval, shutters that can be opened are provided to have option for natural ventilation. All regularly occupied space has access to exterior views. Composite wood is being used for all types of partitions in the building.
The blocks are connected with a glazed tapering circular- shaped structure on either side which defines the building aesthetically. This space, which buffers between the internal and external environments, encourages the occupants and visitors to interact and innovate within a free zone, adding totally new dimensions with freedom of being inside yet outside the building premises.
The building external façade was downsized every way possible by vertical and horizontal breaks. Building materials with high embodied energy have been used. Flooring material used is vitrified tiles and external glass cladding is double glazed with reflective glass to control the inside energy.
The material used like the carpet, paints and composite wood have low VOC. Materials with VOC are clearly stated in the construction documents even for the adhesives and sealant. The composite wood contains
30% recycled pulp and is free from Urea
Formaldhihyde resins. All materials have CRI certification like for carpet. Seventy percent of the roof area is covered with high Albedo paint, and the terrace plan showing total area, vegetated area and area covered by China mosaic is appended.
The terrace floor is having more than 40% landscaped garden with trees and plantation so as to provide an ideal location for the professionals to leisure out some terraces at two floor heights overlooking the scenic garden and fountains. Thirty percent of the site area is landscaped– gardens with cascading and rows of fountain with gazebo, lawns and curved pavilions showcasing the garden city. Landscape and water bodies provide the entire area with an environment- friendly façade. Above all, the whole area is covered at the top by a tensile membrane. This gives shade to the garden and to the building. An amphitheatre is proposed as a part of the landscape feature. The building corners at random interval have double height terraced garden and trees. This reflects the city image and also makes the building more natural to the surroundings.
Parking facility has been provided in two basements. Total number of car parking provided is 4000 ( approx) out of which 3% capacity, i. e. 120 is for battery charged cars including provision for electric car changing stations. Bus bays have also been provided.
For housekeeping, separate room is provided. This controlled environment zone responds to the ever so comfortable climate of Bangalore allowing the users to be a part of the environment. There is provision for 100% rainwater harvesting by collection or by percolation and to be recharged.
As no smoking policy is being followed, there would be no exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation air distribution systems to environmental tobacco smoke.
Factfile
Client: Bearys Properties & Developments Pvt Ltd, Bangalore Consultants: Mahendra Raj Consultants Pvt Ltd ( Structural); In- house team of Bearys Properties & Developments Pvt
Ltd ( MEP); Collaborative Architecture ( Interior); Masterplan ( Landscape)
Contractors: In- house team of Bearys Properties & Developments Pvt Ltd
Built up area: 10 lakh sq ft ( approx)
Cost of project: Rs 250 crore
Year of completion: 2013