40 June 2014 Green Architecture
40 June 2014
Green Architecture
41June 2014
The UN “Box”ing of GreenfortGREENFORT (SIFY), B7, Sector 132, Greater Noida
The project required to amalgamate an office
component with the need for a Data Storage facility in
the suburban context of NCR in Noida. The storage
facility binds its own challenges, be it necessitated by
security concerns, large capacity electrical demand,
high tonnage HVAC, excessive water requirements or
the huge dead loads on the structure.
Typically, such buildings result in a windowless “BOX”.
The opportunity in diversity was to be able to conceal
the scale of the built form and adding simple reflective
and transparent volumes to the BOX to arrive at the
final representation. The curved reflective surface with
the sculptural glass and steel staircase lend the
40 June 2014
Green Architecture
41June 2014
The UN “Box”ing of GreenfortGREENFORT (SIFY), B7, Sector 132, Greater Noida
The project required to amalgamate an office
component with the need for a Data Storage facility in
the suburban context of NCR in Noida. The storage
facility binds its own challenges, be it necessitated by
security concerns, large capacity electrical demand,
high tonnage HVAC, excessive water requirements or
the huge dead loads on the structure.
Typically, such buildings result in a windowless “BOX”.
The opportunity in diversity was to be able to conceal
the scale of the built form and adding simple reflective
and transparent volumes to the BOX to arrive at the
final representation. The curved reflective surface with
the sculptural glass and steel staircase lend the
42 43June 2014 June 2014
biggest challenge faced these days by most
commercial buildings. All services such as heating
ventilation and air-conditioning are placed in the
basement, terrace and the rear setback areas in order
to utilise the space in a conventional manner.
The floors from the first to the fifth level are used as
data storage facility whereas from the sixth to the eight
level are designed as office spaces. The front setback
is utilised for the underground services like septic and
storage tanks, rain water harvesting etc. The building is
beautifully covered with greenscape and water
bodies at the front.
On closely examining the facade of the building, it
further comprises of a Saint Gobain single Glass unit
(Pilkington Eclipse Advantage Blue-Green), which is a
world leading on-line coated solar control glass that
combines low emissivity, with solar control, high visible
light transmittance and glare control. The usage of this
glass is relatively advantageous keeping in mind the
climatic context of the site, durability, as well as adds
an aesthetic appeal to the building.
This makes a well-designed climate sensitive façade.
The cladding of facade is done using Sand blasted
mint Gwalior Stone, Granite and Teakwood Stone
which merges well with the Gwalior Stone and the
painted surface. The Stainless Steel while being
resistant to corrosion, heat and stains conceals wall
washer LED lights within it. Additionally, the frosted
Glass block strips which gives a softer feeling the glass
as well as mutes the harsh sunlight coming from
outside. n
necessary softness and depth to the BOX. The
landscape and lighting are an implicit part of the
structure.
The facade of the building is composed of 3 masses
(components): A solid windowless base, the vertical
element of the staircase and the office floors above.
Each component has further been detailed where the
stone clad base is embellished with Stainless Steel and
Frosted Glass block inserts as they allow light to filter
without compromising on the security.
The exposed riser-less Mild Steel staircase in a clear
glass enclosure is the vertical thread tying up the
various elements of the building. The curvilinear office
block forms the perfect offset from the geometric base
and the straight jacket treatment of the staircase
column. Eventually, the office block seems to hold the
“Bread loaf” box within it.
The building is well-planned with externally located
parking for visitors, stilt parking for associates and
basement parking for staff. This was done keeping in
mind to deal with the parking menace which is the
42 43June 2014 June 2014
biggest challenge faced these days by most
commercial buildings. All services such as heating
ventilation and air-conditioning are placed in the
basement, terrace and the rear setback areas in order
to utilise the space in a conventional manner.
The floors from the first to the fifth level are used as
data storage facility whereas from the sixth to the eight
level are designed as office spaces. The front setback
is utilised for the underground services like septic and
storage tanks, rain water harvesting etc. The building is
beautifully covered with greenscape and water
bodies at the front.
On closely examining the facade of the building, it
further comprises of a Saint Gobain single Glass unit
(Pilkington Eclipse Advantage Blue-Green), which is a
world leading on-line coated solar control glass that
combines low emissivity, with solar control, high visible
light transmittance and glare control. The usage of this
glass is relatively advantageous keeping in mind the
climatic context of the site, durability, as well as adds
an aesthetic appeal to the building.
This makes a well-designed climate sensitive façade.
The cladding of facade is done using Sand blasted
mint Gwalior Stone, Granite and Teakwood Stone
which merges well with the Gwalior Stone and the
painted surface. The Stainless Steel while being
resistant to corrosion, heat and stains conceals wall
washer LED lights within it. Additionally, the frosted
Glass block strips which gives a softer feeling the glass
as well as mutes the harsh sunlight coming from
outside. n
necessary softness and depth to the BOX. The
landscape and lighting are an implicit part of the
structure.
The facade of the building is composed of 3 masses
(components): A solid windowless base, the vertical
element of the staircase and the office floors above.
Each component has further been detailed where the
stone clad base is embellished with Stainless Steel and
Frosted Glass block inserts as they allow light to filter
without compromising on the security.
The exposed riser-less Mild Steel staircase in a clear
glass enclosure is the vertical thread tying up the
various elements of the building. The curvilinear office
block forms the perfect offset from the geometric base
and the straight jacket treatment of the staircase
column. Eventually, the office block seems to hold the
“Bread loaf” box within it.
The building is well-planned with externally located
parking for visitors, stilt parking for associates and
basement parking for staff. This was done keeping in
mind to deal with the parking menace which is the