The Studio for Landmark Design Group, an Architectural and Interior Design firm in Pune was designed to accommodate a team of about 30.
The quest for the ‘suitable’ site with near-ideal orientation and surroundings culminated in a 252 sqm North -East facing plot.
The aim was to create an energising and vibrant work environment, by maximising access to daylight and natural ventilation, enhancing thermal comfort by adopting passive solar architectural design principles, while also achieving an open, interactive and free-flowing, unified space, that not only engages with the surrounding landscape and vegetation but also with the everyday street-life.
This has resulted in a fully naturally ventilated and day-lit building, with a very low energy footprint (most of the energy being consumed by the computers and printers), supported by renewable energy and experimentation with non-conventional technologies for achieving comfort.
The building has proved to be resource-efficient and sustainable not only in terms of energy saving, but in conserving rain water too, while also being low-maintenance to run and operate.
The South- West façade, that receives the most direct and low radiation is constructed in AACt blocks (autoclaved aerated concrete) for better thermal insulation and is almost opaque, punctured only with narrow openings; operable wooden louvers let in the westerly breeze, and are tilted as per the sun’s position in the sky.
An Earth-Air tunnel Heat Exchanger, consisting of a 300mm diameter Hume pipe travels zigzag for about 50 meters within the plot at a depth of 3.5 meters, drawing in air at atmospheric temperature, exchanging heat with the earth ( a huge heat sink in itself!) and emerging into the conference room, considerably cooler, almost at the average annual temperature of the region (about 24.5 degrees Celsius). In peak summer, indoor temperature of 28-29 degrees celsius is achieved.
In the peak hot and dry months of March, April until mid-May, direct evaporative cooling is effectively achieved by means of a Mist- fogger system installed in the central atrium as well as in the high ceilinged verandah on the west that forms the lunch area.
Indoor temperature at mid-day is found to be in the range of 29-31 degrees Celsius during peak summer. With sufficient air movement, the indoor conditions are comfortable.
Rainwater from terrace is filtered and conveyed to an underground tank. This water is utilized in place of Municipal water during rainy season.
The structure is RCC monolithic form-finished, which also enabled grid shift and avoiding plaster cracks, which are quite common in Pune due to high diurnal temperature variation.
Flat slab system with no column drop as per architectural design requirement used for this project. Also as per architectural design requirement form finish concrete surface proposed and which was executed with the help of self compacting concrete with admixture. Structural column arranged in such way to create extra free space.
"Open. Free. Uncluttered. Connected to the outside, I am a happy witness to the cadence of the street, whether working at my desk, or having a cup of chai.
The sheep grazing in the meadow across the street, the frenzied twitter of birds in the banyan tree outside, the sweet smell of the earth with the first rain, the occasional train rolling by, and the grandstand view of the everyday drama that unfolds in the sky are part of my workday.
Inside, I look across and see my friends, exchange a nod, a smile, a joke. Visitors and clients come and go, the movement across levels creates a lively buzz. Caressed by the breeze that wafts across, energized by the daylight that imbues my work space, I lean back in my chair and think, life’s pretty good!
