SPACES June issue_3July16

architecture
conditioning system. Both depend only
on fans and pumps for their operation.
• Both use building elements as an
integral part of the system. Air is drawn
through a wind tower into the RCC
pipes embedded at 4 meters below the
ground surface. This tower serves as
an important element of architectural
composition of the plaza space between
the two buildings. Inside the building,
this cool air is circulated above the
corridor spaces thereby creating a low
height circulation space between the
triple height atrium and the full height
offices. The RCC floor slabs carry the
PEX pipes with water cooled by the
cooling tower. This discourages any
installation of false ceilings in the
offices.
• Natural cross ventilation through
openable windows is encouraged when
the NCS is not required. A ventilator
integrated with the sky- window over the
atrium creates a good draft throughout
the interior volume of the office.
• The longer facades of the building
are three layered. The first is the deep
overhang of the roof, the second
comprises of floor height adjustable
aluminium louvers and the third is of
low sill clear glass windows. The floor
height louvers on the longer facades
add an element of dynamism to the
building with their carefully worked out
rhythmic pattern. Their operation as
per the users' requirements to admit or
cut-off light and wind actually gives a
unique facade composition all the time
(Note: Louvers are still to be installed.
They are currently installed only on the
neighbouring building).
• The size of the building block is based
on the natural light & ventilation
requirements. The narrow long block
48 / SPACES June 2016