AKSHAYA 36

Located in a 3810sqm plot in Chennai, India, the plot has ground coverage & height restrictions of 35% & 45M respectively. Chennai has an average temperature of 40ºC through 8months of the year and 30ºC for the rest. In response to the climate, southern side of the building houses vertical circulation & service areas creating a buffer to reduce heat gain to the internal office spaces which are north oriented. Each floor of 1600sqm area is divisible into smaller offices of 300-500sqm. Rather than opening the building towards the north which would result in overlooking the adjacent development in the future, the building has north facing vertical incisions. These incisions have stepped landscaped terraces facing north allowing office spaces to have indirect natural light on 3 sides. External sides of the building are constructed of brick-screens that create privacy from the road and adjacent developments. The bricks are of fly-ash, waste product adding to sustainability of the design. In a complete deviation from most large office buildings which are completely enclosed, this design creates island offices surrounded by landscape. North lighting, reduced heat gain from south, extensive landscaped spaces & use of materials render the design energy efficient and sustainable.