By Rutvi Ashar Photography: Courtesy Shilpa Architects Read Time: 2 mins Shilpa Architects’ Platinum LEED certified contemporary office in Chennai incorporates sustainable building technology with an open plan and indo-centric design. Home to an architectural studio, a real estate investment office, an art gallery and an app game developing company, “The Muse” is a collaborative and free-thinking modern work place, adding to the list of contemporary workspaces across the globe. The staggered floor plate planning gives rise to a floating floor that allows for visual connectivity and a volume of space broken only by green, air-conditioning shafts. Fractal ‘jaalis’, reused antique architectural elements and the involvement of local artisans put this project by Shilpa Architects on the radar of ingenuous spaces; but what really sets it apart is the Indianized design approach that endorses large inlets for natural light and vegetation screens on the south facade. Interesting spaces have been carved out: the entrance lobby, “Aakhand” is a small area with a high ceiling and a burnt brick finish, designed to invite and envelop the visitor in an infinite space continuum; the break-out area is connected by a suspended glass staircase; the versatile Eastern facade is vertically broken into 3 articulated elements namely the “kanjivaram” inspired facade lights, bubble lit staircase and an antique ceiling of the employee lounge. The entire office is naturally lit and provided with task LEDs for the evenings; solar powered air conditioning is required only after the chiller slab and green roof have reduced the indoor temperature. These techniques help in 30% energy and water savings, reduced construction and maintenance costs and a superior indoor environment resulting in higher productivity. Words do no justice to this elaborately thought of design and its commitment to the environment; the architects pleasantly surprise us with their bold yet very reasonable decisions with respect to the environment. Click here to view the images on indiaartndesign.com
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