Hoskote, Bangalore
Area: 30,000 sft
Year: 2006
The site for the factory we designed for Weir Engineering lay off the main road with a narrow approach to the front. Between the road and the site was a timber mill. This was also the western face of the site.
This became the springing point for our design. We placed a curved screen wall in stone in front which served as a buffer to the noise generated by the timber mill and also shaded the office area from the western sun. Creepers planted at the foot of the wall would eventually grow to provide greater cooling and acoustic protection.
The main entrance was framed by a bright red aluminium clad steel structure that stood out against the grey tones of the other materials. The juxtaposition of a rugged material like stone with the smoothness of aluminium and transparency of glass made for an interesting geometry. A swathe of blue tinted glass next to the entrance enclosed the double storey reception, filling it with light.
The shop floor lay behind the office block. A large, curved roof spanned the space and gave it the volume it required. Two bands of polycarbonate skylight in the roofing brought ample light and offset the need for artificial lighting.
