Events:

Latest Buzz

Sonali Rastogi fuses traditional skills with new age minimalism

Delhi-based Architect Sonali Rastogi designed Zydus Corporate Park located in Ahmedabad, which is a fusion of Global and Local designs.

The Zydus Corporate Park located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad has an extremely hot and arid climate (max. 120°F). The client brief stipulated creating an office that is “Better than Home.” Therefore, the approach was to create a bespoke design that expresses the rich architectural heritage and traditional crafts of the region.

The architectural expectation was of being globally and locally relevant. The three large rampart-like walls form the western façade and shield the project from the harsh temperatures of the highway (145°F). This helps in maintaining a comfortable environment in the courts located in the East by a reduction of 5 – 6⁰C in Perceptible Temperatures. These doubly curved steel surfaces scale up the tradition of metalwork of the ‘Kansaras’ (vessel makers) that have complex geometries, using computational programming. The triangulated glass modules within the Corten steel walls are inspired by the mirrorwork on ‘Bhunga,’ Kutch structures that are architectural ornamentation and identity elements. These glass tubes have a dichroic finish that catches the sun’s movement throughout the day & year, rendering the façade with perpetual dynamism.

The challenge was to fuse the age-old knowledge of craftsmen, who build by hand, to the precision required in the geometry of these walls. In an amalgamation of technology and tradition, the parabolic bending of these trapezoidal surfaces, in accordance with the digital drawings, was entirely carried out by the workforce on site.

In addition to being an environmental shield, the space, between the walls, includes breakout spaces, alcove seating, bistros, employee engagement activity areas, and a setup for brainstorming and informal meetings. The spine connects all the formal work areas that are 100 per cent glare-free, 100 per cent daylit, and blinds-free.

The floor plate widths have been controlled at 15M widths to ensure day-lit workspaces within the floor- plate. As a result, 90 per cent of the workspaces receive ample daylight thus improving the visual comfort of working environments while virtually eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day. Furthermore, Zydus has been designed in compliance with the latest ISHRAE IEQ 10001:2016 standards. Integrating biophilia in working and interactive spaces contributes towards a much better quality of air as well as mental health.

The landscape concept for this campus is conceived as a sculptural entity, where lines of architecture and sculptural landform merge together to create a unique land modulation and give the campus an iconic sculptural identity. Each court has its own landscape theme and is integrated with the iconic character of the building, which facilitates the occupants with psychological mapping while on the move.

Passive design strategies (resulting in an EPI of 56 kWh/sq.m./yr.) like solar shading, effectively located water bodies, courtyards, etc. have had a multi-fold impact by helping reduce the temperatures/heat the building is exposed to and at the same time, making the hot-dry outdoors comfortable and accessible for the occupants.

The design exemplifies the ideology of equity and transparency in the workplace, pays homage to Local Artisans, and is contextually relevant.

Related articles

Designed by SAI Consultants, Sandipani School is shaped around an old Banyan tree, turning an existing natural element into the architectural and experiential heart of the campus. The Sandipani Vidyalaya Programme is a flagship initiative of the Government of Madhya Pradesh aimed at strengthening academic practices and school-level governance. Sandipani School, Shahpur, Burhanpur, is one of the 276 schools across Madhya Pradesh developed by SAI Consultants. “During our first site visit, we discovered the most precious design element already present on the site—a 70–80-year-old Banyan tree. We immediately knew that the entire concept and planning had to revolve around this Vat Vriksha. Rather than treating it as a landscape element, we envisioned it as the first classroom, the heart, and the soul of the campus.” Explains Ar. Mayooree Saxena, Founder and Principal Architect, SAI Consultants. The Kindergarten block is therefore not simply built around the tree, but designed for the tree. The Banyan becomes the central courtyard, assembly space, storytelling circle, and a living memory for generations of students. Kindergarten classrooms open directly onto the shaded courtyard, finished with a soft, non-slip rubber deck. A 6-metre radius around the trunk is maintained as a no-construction zone, protecting the tree and its natural drip line. Sand pits and outdoor chalkboards are integrated beneath its shade, transforming the courtyard into an informal learning environment. The campus is organized through a clear academic hierarchy. The front zone accommodates Kindergarten, administration, and parent waiting areas. Primary and Middle School occupy the lower floors, organized around internal courtyards, while the upper floors accommodate Secondary and Senior Secondary classrooms, laboratories, and the library. A dedicated service zone houses the midday meal kitchen, dining hall, staff facilities, and bus bay, ensuring service movement remains separate from academic circulation. A continuous shaded verandah forms a loop connecting the campus, allowing students to move comfortably while remaining protected from Burhanpur’s intense sun Learning & Community Spaces like Modern Biology, Physics, and Chemistry laboratories feature generous daylight, ventilation, preparation rooms, and island counters for collaborative experiments. The library is positioned opposite the Banyan, creating a symbolic balance—one tree provides shade, the other provides knowledge. Dedicated spaces for dance, music, and art encourage creative learning, while a 300-capacity dining hall, student-maintained kitchen garden, and colorful handwash courtyards integrate community, nutrition, and everyday learning. The multipurpose hall at the entrance accommodates large gatherings and two badminton courts, supported by an 8-metre-high column-free volume and acoustic treatments. Climate-Responsive Design-Responding to Burhanpur’s extreme summer temperatures of up to 45°C, the campus uses North–South orientation, 2.4-metre-deep verandahs, reflective terrace finishes, Kota stone flooring, and courtyard-based ventilation. Rainwater harvesting systems recharge groundwater around the Banyan, while its canopy creates a cooler microclimate within the Kindergarten zone. Sandipani School is not a school with a tree. It is a tree with a school growing around it. Children enter beneath its shade and graduate having grown like it—deeply rooted in values and reaching outward in knowledge.