We are excited to announce that White Design Allies have been shortlisted in the Global call for Design ideas contest conducted by the BIC. The Bangalore International Centre are planning to move into their new premises in Domlur; Architects were invited to submit ideas for an iconic building with state of the art facilities to provide a suitable home for this respected cultural organisation.
* Click to enlarge images
Statement of Design Intent
Our interpretation of the brief is to create an iconic home
for the BIC that reflects its core values both functionally and aesthetically.
The main driver was to create a building where the circulation does not just
connect the various activities. Instead it becomes a spine that wraps around
the building encouraging interaction and an exchange of knowledge. This method
of circulation removes barriers that divide the spaces and enhances
inter-connectivity and transparency. Sections across the building reveal
double-height spaces, courtyards and atriums that connect the different
activities both horizontally and vertically.
Zoning
The building is zoned such that the public areas including the restaurant,
library and auditorium are located towards the southern side to connect with
the BDA park both visually and physically. The guest rooms are more private and
hence are located away from the main public areas, facing the private landscape
court on the northern side of the site. These two areas are connected by an
intermediate zone containing the main vertical circulation shaft and also the
formal main entrance.
Site & Sustainability
The site being linear along the east-west axis does not offer a suitable
orientation for the building. However, our proposal aims to turn this weakness
into an opportunity by providing screen walls along the east and west sides.
Green strategies and passive design principles are incorporated into the design
of the building. Passive cooling techniques, photovoltaic façade and efficient
water management are some of the significant green aspects of the building.
Rainwater is harvested on site and run in channels along the base of the
building. When forced air is passed over this channel it is passively cooled.
By maintaining a void between the concrete wall and the floor, this cooled air
can be circulated throughout the building.
The effects of the storm-water drain have been carefully considered and the
building is cleverly screened on its west facing façade using a green ‘living’ wall.
This has multiple benefits as it shields the building from the harsh western
sun and minimises potential odours from the storm-water drain. This will
improve the indoor air quality and provides an ecosystem for small insects and
birds. A vermin-composting yard is identified along the western boundary where
the organic waste generated in the building is collected and converted to
manure.
A unique scheme is proposed wherein the members of the BIC organize weekly cleaning
of the BDA Park. The dried leaves and vegetation collected becomes fuel for the
biomass generator located in the basement and power can thus be generated for
the building. Additional fuel can be purchased from industries that generate
wood chips as a waste product. The energy generated from the PV façade, as well
as the biomass generator will be used for the site and the excess can be
supplied to the grid.
Material Palette
The external façade is made up of a combination of robust materials such as
concrete, glass and timber interspersed with a softer plant medium in the form
of the green living wall. The external concrete wall along with the internal
block wall provides good thermal insulation to the interior spaces. Curtain wall
glazing is provided with sufficient overhangs for diffused lighting. Good
quality seasoned timber is used as a cladding element to enhance some feature
areas. Glass pyramid PV cells on the southern wall help to generate energy and
are aesthetically pleasing due to the unique shape.
We believe that our
design has captured the unique identity and ethos of the BIC by creating a
building that embodies its main aims of cross-disciplinary interaction and
innovative development.
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