Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Future Building of the Year Awardee – A step back in time!

By Marina Correa
Images: Courtesy the architect

reservoir project by ar. sanjay puri
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Sanjay Puri Architects has scored a hat-trick: winning their most recent third international award for this yet-to-be-built Reservoir project in Rajasthan at the WAF, as the Best Office (Future) Building of the Year 2015…

But this time around, it’s not futuristic design (that he is so famous for) that has won him accolades; but a form inspired from centuries’ old traditional architecture of the region. Since the corporate office project is for a cement conglomerate in the desert state of Rajasthan, the design has sensitively been based on context to site, climate and needs of its users.

This 9-acre office project is but a fraction of the sprawling 100-acre site, which will constitute schools, hospitals, residential and recreational facilities encapsulating an entire township for the cement giant.

reservoir project by ar. sanjay puri
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With temperatures being in excess of 400 C for most part of the year, coupled with water scarcity being the formidable challenges; a steeply contoured site and a natural water collection pit proved to be the advantages. Taking both aspects into consideration, Sanjay’s built-form is inspired from the region’s traditional step wells.

reservoir project by ar. sanjay puri
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reservoir project by ar. sanjay puri
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Office spaces are created on two north-facing sides, gradually stepping down at each level along the existing contours thereby generating north-facing landscaped terraces fronting each office, whilst the opposite south-facing sides are fashioned into open stepped-platforms along the site’s contours further generating landscaped pockets and creating a large community space as documented in bygone eras.

The structural orientation thus saves as much as 30% energy, whilst the sub-soil water collection pit creates a precious reservoir year-round, contributing towards alleviating profound water problems.

reservoir project by ar. sanjay puri
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reservoir project by ar. sanjay puri
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Adding to the sustainable features are the south-facing solar panels installed over the expansive greenery covering the RCC sloping roof that is created by elevated earth berms erected to protect the south side and carve out sheltered parking spaces. Use of local Chittorgarh sandstone for the structure translates into zero carbon footprint and overall lowered costs.

Such diligence to detail, contextuality to site and climatic conditions, thinking-out-of-the-box, and a deep driving passion for excelling in every single project – however big or small— are stepping stones in Sanjay’s success story of winning over 70 international awards.

So what’s next? “A museum in the US in the largest arts district besides some very interesting hotels and educational institutions in India,” is all he’s willing to reveal right now. We wish him the best.  

12 comments :

  1. Parveen Khurana - National Sales Head at ROCA BathroomNovember 25, 2015 at 1:09 PM

    Congrats, Sanjay Puri and Team!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Indra Bhushan Prasad sales & Marketing ( Building material) New DelhiNovember 25, 2015 at 1:11 PM

    congrats sanjay puri and his team

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jignesh Trivedi - Kludirak India Pvt.Ltd.November 25, 2015 at 1:14 PM

    congratulations Sanjaysir and team

    ReplyDelete
  4. subrata basu Vice President Marketing at NITCO LtdNovember 25, 2015 at 1:15 PM

    Wow amazing stuff...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Susheel Mattoo Country Head- Sales at Pavistamp IndiaNovember 25, 2015 at 1:17 PM

    Congrats sir!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sunil Joshi Vice President - Neilsoft Ltd.November 25, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    Smart Architecture! Great work by Sanjay.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mohammad Iftekher Mahbub - Managing Director at InDesign Architects, BangladeshNovember 25, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    Want to see a book on the works of this architect. Is there any? Need some info

    ReplyDelete
  8. ALLAUDDIN MANSUR - Quality Manager, JOSS ENGINEERING, UKNovember 25, 2015 at 1:32 PM

    Wow!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. T K Muralikrishnan NambiarNovember 25, 2015 at 2:30 PM

    Great!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Brilliant. I like the step well inspiration. I felt a little insecure when I saw it first. what if there is a flash flood?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Excellent!!!!!!!! How many of the buildings in the 74 awards have been built.pls carry a special feature

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pramod M Hegde - National Manager Projects and Specifications - MYK Laticrerte, HyderabadNovember 25, 2015 at 4:26 PM

    "congratulations! Mr Sanjay Puri and Team"

    ReplyDelete

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