Analysis of Office Buildings -1

Planned to be the Research and Development center for Adobe Systems, an American multinational computer software company headquartered in California, United States, the campus is conceived as a highly utilitarian and functionality-driven office. The brief was to plan a world class Campus for over 2000 IT professionals in an energy efficient sustainable Office space.

Aimed to be at par with global norms, the office campus sets out to achieve new benchmarks for workspaces in the rapidly developing work culture in India. Within the design, yet, there are provisions, avenues, methods and expressions to be incorporated artistically, aesthetically and in a refined manner to achieve a healthy and vibrating work environment.

CONCEPT:

Adobe is a Spanish word for sun dried clay bricks – a basic building block and with the client background in Design, Media & other Geometric software, a “Back to Basics” design philosophy was adopted using terracotta as the primary material expressed in a modern contemporary style using geometric designs & compositions. Conceptualized with an approach to energy and ecological conservation in the design of the built environment with a LEED platinum rating, that was originally applied by Adobe for gold, Emphasis is laid on Recreational facilities –both outdoor and indoor, that manifest in spaces such as the Multi-purpose Hall, Gymnasium, outdoor court for spaces, Recreational spaces and a generous size Café.

EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT

PLANNING

Integrated Master Planning for the entire campus was done keeping in mind phased occupation & construction by means of phasing in a manner that creates a unified campus, while each Phase is still independent in all respects and the ease of future construction being duly factored in. Phase I & II Blocks placed in a T-shaped manner have been sensitively placed within the site, linked through a Walking Street running through the Entire Campus connecting both the Phases through landscaped courts and streets, overlooking water & Landscape, creating an inviting micro-climate. To avoid the view of services from the workspaces, the service block is deliberately tucked away in the rear. The Phase 2 Block core is planned in the western zone to cut the sun out from the west. The Central Core and Services are located at the centre of the Floor plate, allowing for day light and natural views. Neighborhood-based planning is enabled for Teams that are clustered around the Central Hub and communication stairs with a Distributed Privacy framework model that is adopted to create a combination of Me and We spaces.

The main spine, designed on a grand scale running through the entire campus overlooks the water and Landscape, connecting both the phases through landscaped courts and streets, creating an inviting and encouraging micro-climate while acting as a visual and physical buffer to the main building. The throughout the year shaded, outdoor recreational activity zone is located towards the North Side to achieve optimum light and shade.

An Extensive Horizontal Parasol is provided above to cut out the high altitude South Sun in summers, while allowing for the low altitude winter sun, at the same time enabling an uninterrupted view of the extensive landscaped gardens.

DESIGN FEATURES:

An expansive sloping landscaped area in the front acts as an excellent forecourt space for the building comprising of feature Walls that support the roof Parasol that shades the glare-free Façade Glazing and creates a clear vision from offices. This enables excellent views of the landscape from the interiors of the Work hall, while minimizing the heat gain from Building Skin. A Bio Wall traps air pollutants and aids in lowering the surrounding air-temperatures and reducing cooling loads. Shaded pedestrian walkways are planned in the campus through the use of terracotta-tiled screens and a covered roof parasol.

The north zone remains shaded throughout the day has outdoor activities such as the amphitheater and sports facilities. Wind flowing through picks up the mist from the spray-based water bodies combined with soft landscaping and bio walls that significantly improve the microclimate of the space, enabling year round use due to its special spatial experience to the walking users through its varying textures, light and shade. The terrace garden and green roof are optimized to reduce the heat island effect while the solar shielding on the south façade/ roof parasol for a high, midday sun angle.

The Atrium is provided with a skylight for enhanced penetration of daylight in workspaces to create a live atmosphere for a grand, yet secure campus within the realm of a corporate environment. While establishing a visual connection amongst all the floors and by providing a central communication stair, an active & throbbing Social Hub is crafted with Coffee & Collaboration spaces. It encourages people to use Stairs, hence encouraging a healthy life-style and saves energy too! This north- lit Atrium is a very delightful & lively space in the campus. A LEED PLATINUM RATED project, true to its inherently green nature, an Efficient, Effective & Expressive, and sustainable Design Solution provides a unique identity this state-of-the-art Research & Development facility.