Maheshwari & Associates, founded by Ar. Kamal Periwal is one of the top architecture firm in India. The team consist of architects and Interior Designers.

1. Steel scape … The story about a process,
that establishes a concept
to re-invent the future
with the help of steel…

2. The Project introduction
A brief understanding about the project for initiation..
Kolkata
The Unimark Asian
KOLKATA
The project is about providing an architectural solution for an office space located in the busy fabric in the CBD of Kolkata

3. The client’s brief
Understanding the builders need : the basics for project initiation
The function and purpose of the space
The client wanted to built a multi storied
office building
The Client’s expectation from the project
Utilizing the full FAR for generating
maximum profit
The Site
The site is located in Central Kolkata
having an area of 3350 sq.mt
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0.5
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1.5
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2.5
Allowable Expectation
FAR
FAR

4. A simple answer to the client’s need…
The solution in accommodating the spatial quantity and Building Byelaws
A simple solution – that majority of the buildings adapted…
Satisfying FAR Utilization
Satisfying Statutory laws
Satisfying spatial quantity
Satisfying parking requirements

5. We set challenges for ourselves…
Understanding the philosophy with which we see our projects…
?
The Solution was very simple to design,
one multistoried office building….
But,
We were not satisfied with this kind of solution,
we set our own challenges to achieve at a goal that
re-invents the future for a better experience…

6. Understanding what the future needs…
Understanding the different typologies and parameters of the needs…
In relation to the spatial experience In relation to the built form expression
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1
2
3
4
Allowable Expectation
FAR
FAR
In relation to the salability of space
Maximizing productivity in
workplace
Creating an out of the box &
Interesting built image
Maximization of salability
through design

7. Setting our design goals and challenges…
Brainstorming the strategies, that satisfy the needs…
Crafting seamless
outdoor-indoor integrated
spaces
Flourishing an unique identity
that provides an landmark
to re-invent the future
Generating extra FAR free
sellable spaces and crafting
variety of offices
Maximizing productivity in
workplace
Creating an out of the box &
Interesting built image
In relation to the spatial experience In relation to the built form expression
0
1
2
3
4
Allowable Expectation
FAR
FAR
In relation to the salability of space
Maximization of salability
through design

8. The architectural design development…
An experimentation in Re-imagining the future of office buildings

9. Architectural Design Development…
Understanding the site and its surrounding built scape
The site surrounding is a dense amalgamation of built masses making the surrounding streetscapes busy and congested
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10. Conceptualizing site accessibility and traffic flow
To Basement parking
Drop off pt.
Entry
The traffic is planned along the site periphery to get the central space for generating an un-interrupted built mass
Architectural Design Development…
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Exit

11. Understanding the constraints for built form orientation
Allowable ground coverage
Major built face as per site constraint
Minor built face as per site constraint
Architectural Design Development…
The site geometry guides the orientation of the built mass in order to achieve maximum space efficiency
N

12. Understanding the volumetric development as per statutory laws
Proposed ht = 75.2 mt ht : optimizing FAR
Proposed floor = 18 optimizing FAR
Architectural Design Development…
Abiding the statutory laws and the volume requirements, the optimized built mass is developed
N

13. Conceptualizing the vertical core placement
The vertical core restricting the western heat gain
Core volume separated to create
un-obstructed office spaces
Architectural Design Development…
Placing the vertical core in the western side helps in reducing cooling load and keeping out of office space volume helps in achieving un-interrupted space
N
Western glare

14. Conceptualizing the service core placement
Internally placed service core
Architectural Design Development…
Unobstructed façade potential : Free
from any service line
Placing the service cores internally with the vertical core helps in creating the external surfaces of the office free from service lines
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Clear & un-obstructed volume for
office space

15. Conceptualizing integration of indoor-outdoor spaces
Architectural Design Development…
Addition of green spaces with office space
Addition of green spaces with office space will add vibrancy to the office life, but it demands reduction in floor space to accommodate it
N

16. Conceptualizing gain in extra FAR free sellable area
Architectural Design Development…
FAR free triple height sellable space
Staggering the volumes helps in achieving the triple height recreation terraces without compromising floor plate area, but gaining extra FAR free sellable area
Maximized floor plate area
N
Recreation spaces with office

17. Conceptualizing flexibility and variety of spaces
Architectural Design Development…
Spatial typology - 1
Maximizing terrace area
(Additional 10% FAR free Sellable area gain)
Maximizing the area of triple height sellable terraces helps in achieving extra profit and variety of spatial typology adds flexibility options for the spaces
Spatial typology - 2
Spatial typology - 3
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18. The Iconic standout…
Major Gains from the design concept :
• 10 % extra sellable terraces generation that is FAR free
• The Spatial experience of office gets enhanced by
integrating terraces as recharge spaces
•The Core being treated as a separate volume gives
clean and un-obstructed volume office spaces
•The Core placement helps in reducing the heat gain in
office spaces
• Variety of spaces developed , thus, creating flexibility
options
• The staggered volume gives an iconic shape to the built
form as compared to surroundings

19. Optimizing the structural solution…
An extensive analysis in order to achieve the optimized efficiency

20. Comparative analysis of steel w.r.t RCC : Volume of superstructure
Volume of superstructure in RCC = X Volume of superstructure in steel = 0.5 X
The reduction of volume in steel construction as compared to RCC helps in reduction material handling and also achieving sleek aesthetics
Optimizing The Structural Solution..

21. Comparative analysis of steel w.r.t RCC : Construction speed
Construction progress in same time frame in RCC =X Construction progress in same time frame in Steel = 2.5X
As the site is situated in a busy urban fabric of the city, thus it required less disturbance on its surroundings, which is achieved by steel w.r.t RCC
Optimizing The Structural Solution..
At RCC structure min.30 days (adequate manpower) time required from floor to floor ,in case of steel 12 days time required. rcc required 2.5 times
more than steel.

22. The call for Structural solution
Comparative analysis of steel w.r.t RCC : Onsite Labour units
RCC construction involves complicated on-site scaffolding works and
tenacious settling processes with proper skilled supervision
Steel structures are custom made at factory set and hence are
only brought ready to be installed at site , without any delay
and settling time.
A RCC structure would take minimum 15 heads for 30 days i,e 450 heads
while in case of steel it would be 10 heads for 12 days i,e 120 heads for the same construction.
A RCC structural solution to be executed takes 3.75 times more onsite labour units than that of steel structure

23. Optimizing The Structural Solution..
Comparative analysis of steel w.r.t RCC : Volume of interior space
Volume of Internal spatial volume in RCC = X Volume of Internal spatial volume in steel = 1.25 X
The steel construction system helps in gaining around 25% of internal spatial volume as compared to RCC construction system, thus creating the
experience of larger space..

24. Comparative analysis of steel w.r.t RCC : Cantilever beam depth
Beam depth in cantilever in RCC Beam depth in cantilever in Steel
Different levels in false ceiling Sleek beams reducing obstruction
The Steel construction system requires lower beam depth in order to craft the cantilever, thus creating less obstruction to the floor beneath cantilever
Optimizing The Structural Solution..

25. The strategies to compensate the high construction cost of steel
Optimizing steel strategy : Reducing the use of steel through judicious use of it only in the cases where it is necessary
Development of core and basement in RCC , an optimized
solution to reduce the use of un-necessary use of steel
Composite columns with steel framing inside
Development of floor plates using steel structures frames.
Wrapping of steel frames by 100m thick PT slab and glass members on
vertical surfaces.
Optimizing The Structural Solution..

26. The strategies to compensate the high construction cost of steel
Steel construction makes the construction of terrace efficient – providing many benefits
This is the reply that we gave to the builder in order to get the profit, in turn , by spending more on building with steel
FAR Free sellable space
( Around 10% extra sellable space )
Optimizing The Structural Solution..
But, the cost of steel construction becomes 1.5 times more than RCC
The terraces that generate 10% extra sellable space helps in compensating the cost and in turn generating extra profit too.

27. The design Developed…
Visualizing the outcome of the concept imagined

28. 3D visualizations of the final design developed
Visualizing the design developed..
The view from the road : Stagger effect Development of triple height lounge with steel

29. Recent photograph of the building taking its shape in reality
The Built scape developed…

30. Recent photograph of the building taking its shape in reality
The Built scape developed…

31. Flourishing the concept – Recreation terrace with office space
In relation to the spatial experience Addition of refreshment terraces with office spaces
Benefits :
• Adding to the vibrancy in quality of life in office
• Giving an opportunity to refresh the mind leading to increase in
productivity
• The overlooking views into the balconies provide an interactive
workplace environment
•Adding these experience makes the boring offices to transform to
vibrant office places, which the future is looking for…

32. The vibrancy caught in the recreation terraces of 23 Circus avenue, Kolkata
Flourishing the concept – An evidence based solution
In relation to the spatial experience : Successful example from our another project : 23 Circus Avenue,Kolkata

33. Learning : The concept required the help of steel to flourish
We haven’t dreamed of ‘Steelscape’ : Our process answered it to be steel
The experimentation that re-invents - what the future office buildings wants to be…

34. Learning : The concept required the help of steel to flourish
We haven’t dreamed of ‘Steelscape’ : Our process answered it to be steel
Concept RCC becomes in-efficient Steel becomes the answer
We haven’t dreamed of steel building at beginning, to arrive at the correct answer we had to adapt it…

35. The advice from our learning's and understandings, that steel can be used in situations:
• Where you need more interior spatial volume
• Where the site is located in a busy area that leads to difficulty in onsite construction
• Where you need to save construction time
• Where you want to reduce material movement and handling
• Where there is a scarcity of water, because of being a dry construction technology.
The Cost of steel becomes higher, but, proper design solution can compensate that too -
• The use of steel can be optimized by, reducing its un-necessary use where low cost technology (RCC construction)
serves the purpose, for example like Service Core.
•Design strategies like generating extra profitable spaces as we did in Unimark Asian building can be an option to cut
down extra cost burden due to steel
Conclusion…

36. THANK YOU…
Fig : The view from the refreshment terrace of Unimark asian office building, Kolkata