adrian smith + gordon gill architecture: imperial tower, mumbai

‘imperial tower mumbai’ by adrian smith + gordon gill architecture, mumbai, indiaall images courtesy of adrian smith + gordon gill architecture

amongst the incredibly dense, low-rise metropolis of mumbai, a 400 meter-tall residential building will tower above the most populous city in india. the 116 storey, 76 000+ square meter structure designed by chicago-based firm adrian smith + gordon gill architects aims to be one of the most spacious and luxurious dwellings in the city. the shape of the tower considered the phenomena of wind vortex shedding by optimizing the form to ‘confus[e] the wind’ and counter the oscillating and potentially destructive effects of wind action on the building. while certainly poised to be the tallest edifice in mumbai, the curved form is also fitted with rainwater collection devices and systems for the treatment of graywater– a sensitive decision given the scarcity of clean water in region. a green-wall podium and ‘sky gardens’ will be landscaped with native plants while exterior walls will employ techniques to prevent solar heat gain. while the developer, SD corporation, used floor-specific interior designers for the neighboring complex, ‘the imperial,’ this time, the company might opt for prefabricated kitchens and bathrooms that would help train a local workforce. 

evening renderings show the sinuous structure towering over the predominantly low-rise, yet ultra-populated, city

curved serve the double purpose of countering wind load and providing pockets of space for greenery