“STUDIO 8-8-8 ABHALMAYA” – A Nature Tech Design

Introduction –

A green building, or sustainable building is an outcome of a design philosophy which focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource use — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal. Though green building is interpreted in many different ways, a common view is that they should be designed and operated to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:

• Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources

• Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity

• Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

A similar concept is natural building, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other related topics include sustainable design, green architecture, and energy efficient buildings.

The aim of a green building design is to minimize the demand on non-renewable resources,

maximize the utilization efficiency of these resources, when in use, and maximize the reuse, recycling, and utilization of renewable resources. It maximizes the use of efficient building materials and construction practices; optimizes the use of on-site sources and sinks by bio-climatic architectural practices; maximizes the use of renewable sources of energy; uses efficient waste and water management practices; and provides comfortable and hygienic indoor working conditions. It is evolved through a design process that requires all concerned –the architect and landscape designer and the air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and energy consultants – to work as a team to address all aspects of building and system planning, design, construction, and operation. They critically evaluate the impacts of each design decision on the environment and arrive at viable design solutions to minimize the negative impacts and enhance the positive impacts on the environment.

• Site planning

• Building envelope design

• Building system design HVAC(heating ventilation and air conditioning), lighting, electrical, and water heating

• Integration of renewable energy sources to generate energy onsite.

• Water and waste management

• Selection of ecologically sustainable materials (with high recycled content, rapidly renewable resources with low emission potential, etc.).

• Indoor environmental quality (maintain indoor thermal and visual comfort, and air quality) Site –

The site is a rectangular plot measuring 4000 sq. ft., situated in a Residential area of Sangli. Exactly site resides in Local Board Colony. The colony resides on one of the flank of Sangli-Miraj Highway, even though the site is located in calm, quite & literacy rich part of the colony as being on the other end of the colony. Thus, making it easily accessible & also providing an environment to work in the harmony of nature.

Concept –

The structure is designed taking a holistic approach in consideration with local climate, local materials, local people along with energy saving elements. It pertains to the eco-friendly principle which has been approach of the firm from its inception for all its projects. Design reflects the ethos of the surroundings - its culture and traditions. Rural, traditional and heritage aspects are perfectly blended in the design resulting in an eco-friendly structure.

Fusion of Post Modern and Traditional Architecture is observed in façade and several interior elements. The shapes and forms reflect diverse aesthetics, with harmonious amalgamation of styles adopted for its own sake. The staircase block tilting in glass and ACP reflects the post modern character of the structure which is held by robust, tough stone-work of creamish white Gokak-stone and black undressed sunk pointed basalt stone. Structure is designed to meet occupant’s need for thermal and visual comfort at reduced levels of energy and resource consumption.

Circulation –

The plan is simple and functional with Ground + 1 structure. The structure of the design is comfortable for the employees. i.e. full of natural light and ventilation. The open-ness and connectivity in all the departments, helps to increase the employee productivity. It is more beneficial for the organization.

Ground floor has reception counter with a space allotted for Personal Resource Officer. It also is provided with spaces for conference and multimedia presentation. Accountants for banking, taxation, billing and budget are placed at South West corner of space.

-Ground floor plan - First floor plan

An interesting open staircase of ply planks supported over M.S. square brass fixed by M.S.

straps connects the two floors. Upper floor is a total technical area where the space is designed for Architectural section, Engineering section and Engineering implementation section. Special spaces are allocated to 3 Directors who are 2 Engineers and 1 Architect.

The studio is designed keeping in mind the concept of open-ness due to which the interaction and circulation between Architecture department, Engineering department and Implementation Dept. becomes feasible and smooth. External Elevation –

-Fusion of post-modern and trdiational in - composite wall of red illkal granite & black basalt façade design.

External elevation is bold with the blend of Post modern and Traditional Architecture.

Compound wall is stepped and constructed of black basalt stone which is reused from the remains of previous building. A harmonious combination of several materials which are mostly utilized from the wastages of other sites is seen here which are enlisted below. A strong cohesion of several materials with different characters are seen on this façade, where the potentials of each material are exploited to its most.

• Gate for car entrance is constructed of waste strips of granite fixed to M.S. tube.

• Compound wall is constructed partially of black granite at one side while other side consists of cylinders of M.S. pipe which are painted in bold colours.

• A monolith stone slab stands near Gate which attracts attention due to its shape, colour and texture.

• Focal point of the elevation is 2 yellow ‘Rabkavi’ stone pillars provided in front of entrance. They are topped by two pine wood horizontal planks fixed by steel pipes to the pillar.

• A composite wall of red ’ILLKAL’ granite and black basalt acts as a dividing wall is topped over by a granite flag stone resting on a white gokak stone carved sphere from waste.

• External walls are constructed of robust and tough creamish white coloured Gokak stones which are properly dressed and the end wall is constructed with undressed sunk pointed black basalt stone. The window frames are provided with grey granite.

Materials in Interiors –

A black stone wall of finely dressed basalt stone is provided at entrance. It has two interesting niches to place lamps which resemble the ‘Konada’ in temples.

-Ply planks fitted over MS square brass fitted - Dressed basalt provided with niches for lamps by MS straps similar to konadas found in temples

Ceiling is kept unplastered with photographs of actual projects displayed on walls of the studio. Very basic materials with simplest modes of construction are found everywhere in interiors.

Architect’s space is made interesting by a table which is made up of wastages of Gokak and Marble stone along with green ply. A diwan made up of wooden wastages is placed at the corner serving as resting area. A very eye-catching, mural made up of foam concrete block carving stands at the wall adjacent to the Architects space with a theme of creation of artist Suresh Pandit.

The Technical areas are separated by half partitions made up of green ply resting on M.S. pipe structure. Jute pin-up boards are mounted on the ply for drawing display. Table tops are made up of Ceramic Jaisalmer stone. A colourful design of china mosaic is casted in between these units. Studio flooring is laid from polished grey granite/ part ceramic with mosaic ilkal & part with wooden flooring.

-Architect’s space - mural created in foam concrete block Landscape Elements –

The natural tone of the landscape is maintained by preserving the existing trees, like yellow flowering Cassia, Karanji and Eucalyptus tree. Stone paving is laid out of wastages of Granite stones

used in construction. The flowering yellow Cassia is seen from Glazing provided all over North East face of the studio.

Energy saving aspects used in design-

Reduction in energy demand is achieved by use of solar passive strategies combined with site resources. Also the energy demands are reduced by energy efficient lighting and control devices. Renewable forms of energies like application of wind mill, rain water harvesting, and air cooling by earth tunnel are used in Design.

-Earth tunnel - SIBF system

Water management is achieved by reduction of water use by efficient fixtures and Fittings,

Waste water recycling and Rain water harvesting for storage and recharge.

-Air tunnel - Rain water harvesting

A 3 KW wind mill is provided on terrace which takes care of all domestic lighting and battery charging for inventor. Due to the openness of area and exact amount of the glazing area provided, no fans or lights are required in day time. An earth tunnel is provided for cooling effect. A wind catcher from this tunnel helps in the reduction of south west heat while protecting that side of the structure. Cavity walls are used at the West side of the structure to protect from extensive heat.

Building material selection and construction achieves energy conservation to a large degree, by using locally available materials allowing significant reduction in transport. A very significant aspect in Design is use of waste or recycled materials from other sites which also achieves cost saving along with reduction in energy demands.

- wind mill Ventilation & Light –

North side of the structure is fully exposed to diffuse north light by means of a full glazing. The floor to openings ratio is nearly 80% providing a feel of openness and airiness to the space. The sufficient amount of light penetrates inside without giving a glare. Design of structure takes care of western wind. Classic use of Diffused North Light is an most important aspect of the structure designed.

Other Brief Details - Name of the client – Ar. Pramod Chaugule (Own Office) Area - Sangli Project Type – Commercial Date of beginning – 1st April 2008 Date of Completion – 8th August 2008 Design team – Ar. Pramod Chaugule, Ar. Akshay Salave & Ar. Shruti Dandekar Engineering Team - Shirish Patil & Shrikant Patil.

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