Being the first planned city of post-partition India, Chandigarh is renowned as a showcase of modern urbanism and architectural design. The layout of the city follows the planning of the Swiss architect Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret), who adapted his design for the city from an earlier scheme by the American Matthew Novicki. Le Corbusier interjected the rationalistic ideals of functional self-sustaining urban sectors, rapid transit corridors, and the notion of a ‘radiant city’ designed around so-called superblocks into the urban fabric of a community that must serve as the capital of two states: Punjab and Haryana. Le Corbusier intended to capture the character of the modern industrialized city and the role of the automobile by organizing the urban plan into wide boulevards and green buffer zones that create pleasant environments for drivers and pedestrians alike.

CSA Partners Ltd. proposed to weave a pedestrian promenade with semi-exterior shopping into the complex for use by the larger city. Our office also played off of Le Corbusier’s theory of structural rhythms to create a series of alternating bays that worked effectively in providing parking. The design provides for a complete separation of retail functions from office functions within the complex, and flexible access to retail from both the promenade and the exterior driveways. The design achieves a 90% efficiency rating for single use tenants, where the open span lease spaces are typically no more than 30 Ft. deep; however, in locations where the offices are deeper than 30 Ft, an interior light-court has been provided. These light-courts also serve to improve natural ventilation, and provide a stack effect for smoke exhaust in the event of a fire. Terrace gardens have been provided for penthouse office tenants and numerous other sustainable components-including roof gardens, devices for harnessing rainwater, equipment for drip irrigation, and sun-shading features have been incorporated.

Cyrus Subawalla – Principal Designer
Daraius Batliwala – Principal Designer
Consultants
Structure
Larsen & Toubro LNT-EDRC
MEP/FP: Conceptual & Schematic
Environmental Systems Design
Structural & MEP/FP Design Development Larsen & Toubro LNT-EDRC

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