Located in the emerging business district of Ahmedabad, India, this unique retail and office space project by Sanjay Puri Architects is a rectilinear composition interspersed with landscape spaces.
Three levels of retail space are situated along the broad city arterial road and sheltered by arcades. The office program is located on the stories above and steps back from the retail floors, resulting in a dramatic, north-facing landscaped garden for the offices. In addition, some offices on each level open onto landscaped terraces.
Planned as a community space, the extensively vegetated gardens include open sheltered seating spaces for office workers to use as breakout spaces. In addition, the outdoor area is sheltered from harsh direct sunlight by orienting the terrace spaces to the north. Perforated screen walls on the east and west further shelter exterior spaces.
In addition to the vertical sun breakers, screen walls, and landscaping, measures such as installing solar panels and including a water recycling system ensure the building is sustainable in its resource use.
The resulting project is highly functional in its retail and commercial space provision. Furthermore, awareness of the city’s climate results in a concept responsive to both function and local context.
