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