SDA 2022 Entries

• Commercial Building - Buildings that are used for commercial purposes, and include retail, hospitality, workplaces, factories and warehouses and buildings where commercial services are provided. At least 50 percent of the buildings’ floor space will be used for commercial activities. 

Architect – A.J. Architects
Client – Jineshwar Builders
Project Name – Mehta Plaza
Location – Mamulpet, Bangalore
Built-up Area – 21,000 sft
Status – completed in nov 2019
Cost - INR 4.2 crore

Located in Mamulpet, a quaint, congested, commercial hub of central Bangalore. The first thing that struck to us, was the congested small lanes and non-existence of any general typology of the buildings in the surrounding areas, as most of the structures are made by the civil engineers or the contractors and no Architect is consulted. A.J Architects have taken a bold step to mark a new and modern skyline for the surrounding area. This building stands like “Oasis in the desert”.
The structure is Ground plus six storeys. The layout on the lower three floors is planned for creating smaller stores.
The only brief we got from the client side was, creating of small retail spaces in lower floors and office spaces in the upper floors and to maximise the efficiency of the space. We could well understand the importance of maximum efficiency of space, as availability of marketable land is very limited and expensive in this area.
The site is north west corner property. The west side being the major façade. The other two sides had buildings abutting the property, hence allowing no scope of lighting. We started planning, with strategically placing the core that is the staircase and lift in in the centre on the rear side of the property, so we can achieve maximum efficiency of space utilisation and also allow ample lighting and ventilation in the common areas. the thought of providing sufficient lighting from the west side, but also save the inmates from the harsh direct sun pondered from the beginning. To accomplish this thought we designed projected fins with varying depths of 4” to 10”, creating air voids in between and reducing the amount of heat transferred inside by 2 degree centigrade. We placed the windows in between the projected fins, which provide the required lighting and ventilation inside, but are protected from the direct sun. this forming the basis of the façade, we planned to add boldness and vibrancy by designing the curvilinear pattern on the projected fins and further breaking it down with abstract pattern.
To maintain the lightness of the structure the projected fins were made with the MS framework and Cladded with 3mm light weight tiles. We planned for the material palette with staturio finish 3mm porcelain tile to add grandeur and richness to the façade. The curvilinear geometrical intricate design on the façade is achieved with CNC cutting of 3 mm porcelain tiles in beige and brown colour. To achieve same level of the cnc cut pattern tiles and the staturio finish tiles, we meticulously designed the levels in frame work so an additional 6mm backing behind the the CNC cut tiles was accommodated so as to achieve a seamless finish from outside.
The LED strip lights in the cove of projected fins, add to the drama of the façade. The combination of the slim tiles, the colour palate helped us to achieve bold vibrant façade.

To maintain the lightness of the structure the projected fins were made with the MS framework and Cladded with 3mm light weight porcelain tiles. We planned for the material palette with staturio finish 3mm porcelain tile to add grandeur and richness to the façade. The curvilinear geometrical intricate design on the façade is achieved with CNC cutting of 3 mm porcelain tiles in beige and brown colour. To achieve same level of the cnc cut pattern tiles and the staturio finish tiles, we meticulously designed the levels in frame work so an additional 6mm backing behind the the CNC cut tiles was accommodated so as to achieve a seamless finish from outside.
The LED strip lights in the cove of projected fins, add to the drama of the façade. The combination of the slim tiles, the colour palate helped us to achieve bold vibrant façade.

The site is north west corner property. The west side being the major façade.
We started planning, with strategically placing the core that is the staircase and lift in in the centre on the rear side of the property, so we can achieve maximum efficiency of space utilisation and also allow ample lighting and ventilation in the common areas. the thought of providing sufficient lighting from the west side, but also save the inmates from the harsh direct sun pondered from the beginning. To accomplish this thought we designed projected fins with varying depths of 4” to 10”, creating air voids in between and reducing the amount of heat transferred inside by 2 degree centigrade. We placed the windows in between the projected fins, which provide the required lighting and ventilation inside, but are protected from the direct sun.

The formation of CNC pattern and placing them in the same level was a challenge. Also being a very narrow street the handling of the large 1m x 3m tile was challenging with the continuous flow of public in the narrow busy street.