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Architecture | Design Dekko Editorial

Sanjay Puri Architects uses cantilevered cuboid volumes to create a sculptural office building in Chennai

Updated On : 14 Oct 2020
Akshaya 27 is designed in response to the climate and the client’s brief overcoming multiple site restrictions, to create energy-efficient offices that open into outdoor spaces.
Sanjay Puri Architects uses cantilevered cuboid volumes to create a sculptural office building in Chennai

Sanjay Puri Architects have used cantilevered cuboid volumes to create a sculptural office building in Chennai. Located in the old business district of Chennai in South India, the plot had multiple challenges to be overcome. The project was executed for the Akshaya Group.

With very narrow access from an arterial city road and no road frontage, this plot of 4,098 sqm is sandwiched between existing buildings on all sides. A total area of 8,000 sqm was to be built based upon the client’s requirements and the permissible construction area, along with a height restriction of 27M.

Cuboid cantilevered volumes create an office building with outdoor spaces at each level Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Cuboid cantilevered volumes create an office building with outdoor spaces at each level Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Cuboid cantilevered volumes create an office building with outdoor spaces at each level Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Cuboid cantilevered volumes create an office building with outdoor spaces at each level Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

The ground level plinth is small to facilitate circulation with office floors cantilevering out above. Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

The ground level plinth is small to facilitate circulation with office floors cantilevering out above. Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Each office opens into outdoor decks Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Each office opens into outdoor decks Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Large cantilevered volumes render the building sculptural Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Cuboids of varying depths stacked together create this office building Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Cuboids of varying depths stacked together create this office building Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

The east & west have & facades have an interesting composition of small square windows to reduce heat gain whilst allowing natural light. Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

The east & west have & facades have an interesting composition of small square windows to reduce heat gain whilst allowing natural light. Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

The east & west have & facades have an interesting composition of small square windows to reduce heat gain whilst allowing natural light. Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

The east & west have & facades have an interesting composition of small square windows to reduce heat gain whilst allowing natural light. Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Each office opens into a linear terrace. Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Each office opens into a linear terrace. Photo credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

FLOOR PLANS Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

FLOOR PLANS Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

ILLUSTRATIONS Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

ILLUSTRATIONS Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

SECTIONS Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

SECTIONS Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

SITE PLAN Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

SITE PLAN Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

TERRACE PLAN Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

TERRACE PLAN Photo credit: SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

The ground floor is deliberately kept small to allow easy vehicular circulation within the site and houses community spaces including a cafeteria, gymnasium, and an entrance lobby. The offices divisible into 4 at a level with varying sizes from 165 to 270 sq meters cantilever out at the first floor and step back and forth creating linear north-facing terraces on every floor.

Also Read: Chennai based designer and artist Krishnamithra hand paints spaces for her new series

The service cores form the southern side of the building becoming a buffer to reduce heat gain in response to the hot climate prevalent in Chennai. Temperatures are in excess of 35°C for most of the year with the sun always in the southern hemisphere. Orienting all the office spaces towards the north with the service cores on the south thus mitigates heat gain completely rendering the building very energy efficient.

The open terraces on every floor along with a rooftop landscaped garden provide outdoor spaces for the office occupants. Solar panels at the rooftop harness the ample solar energy available in this location providing energy for the lighting of all the public areas.

Technical sheet

Client: Akshaya Group

Completion Year: June 2020

Built area: 8,000 sqm

Location: Chennai, India

Principal architect: Sanjay Puri

Project architects: Kapil Merchant, Pooja Sampat

Photo Credit: BRS Sreenag, Sreenag Pictures

Also Read: Urban Zen’s Rohit Suraj uses Sans Souci Aurora light to decorate a Hyderabad Villa

Tags:

Akshaya 27,Akshaya Group,Chennai architecture,energy-efficient architecture,Kapil Merchant,offices designed by Sanjay Puri,open terraces offices,Pooja Sampat,Sanjay Puri Architects,Sanjay Puri projects,sculptural office building india,Solar panels at the rooftop,Sreenag Pictures

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