india-based studio CORE architecture was commissioned to develop a headquarters for local company EBIL and set an energy-efficient building, which would combine the high-end technological part of the project with an architectural vision highlighting the green design. to meet these requirements and, at the same time, think of the users of the building — the employees — CORE has proposed a raw concrete structure as a base for an internal lush tropical garden.

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india
the central tropical green hillock connects the two office blocks with meandering landscaped spaces and through a slender bridge which also goes towards the elevator shaft

 

 

‘we believe that only designing for energy efficiency is not enough,’ explains the CORE team. ‘how does one ensure that the users adapt to the design? here we experimented with the psychology of the users.’ the elevator shaft is taken far from the work areas and the access travels through senior management works spaces — this discourages the users to use the elevator and instead, prefer the tropical hillock connecting all the spaces.

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india

 

 

the building is divided functionally into two parts — both of them are roughly oriented east-west, with long façades exposed on the north and south sides. the east and west sides are left with very small or no openings, so as to block the horizontal sun in the morning and evening. all the light necessary for office working is derived from the north and south faces which completely open out and can, during the summer, derive only diffused light.

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india
as it ages, nature starts to become the building

 

 

the wedge-shaped space between the two buildings is conceptualized as a valley between two rock outcrops — a hillock teeming with life and greenery. this also adds freshness to the spaces, creates a microclimate, and reduces the ambient temperature in the building. also this central space is interspersed with common activities, like the gymnasium and the meeting room, to create a dynamic space instead of a mere visual spectacle.

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india
the slender columns rise to receive the leaf like wings of the glass roof support

 

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india
architects believe that a work place needs to be an institution and not only a commercial space

 

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india

 

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india
wooden screen louvers can control amount of light entering in the work spaces

 

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india
exposed concrete is used in conjunction with aerated concrete block walls on the inside to create a ventilated cavity reducing the heat transfer to inside spaces on east and west sides

 

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india
the architects intended to create a timeless piece of architecture that would sustain time and space

 

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india
the concrete apron drops to veil private functions and service

 

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india

 

CORE architecture plants a tropical garden on a concrete hillock in this energy-efficient office building, india
exploded isometric showing language of the builtform

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: maria erman | designboom